This is a story of two siblings (John and Jane) who have an unbreakable bond despite the challenges they face in their rural home. John's father want to marry off Jane at an early age so that he can enjoy her dowry but John is adamant to save his sister from his father's evil plan. John plans their escape to the big city but will he succeed?
A film by Peter Gitau
Kenya, 2017, Fiction, 1h02, Drama
starring Ibrahim Rashid, Halima Jatan, Patrick Macharia, Miriam Kinuthia, Onesmus Kamau
Film Type: Feature Runtime: 1 hour 2 minutes 28 seconds Completion Date: May 31, 2017 Production Budget: 21,000 USD Country of Origin: Kenya Country of Filming: Kenya Shooting Format: Digital, 5D Mark III Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Film Color: Color Themes: Gender Based Violence, Alcoholism, FGM, Child Marriage, Sexual Abuse and Maternal Health.
Director Statement
A participatory approach was adopted in the development of the film. Children borrowed from their experiences and those from the community to write stories themed on child rights abuse. These stories formed the foundation of the script. Most of the scenes in the film were drawn from real life events that the children came up with in their narration. Themes covered in the film are; Gender Based Violence, Alcoholism, FGM, Child Marriage, Sexual Abuse and Maternal Health. After scriptwriting all the children at the Child Development Centre were presented with a chance to audition for different roles in the film, with two of them assigned the main characters and the rest as supporting cast. The youth most of whom are former beneficiaries of DCINP (Dagoretti Child in Need Project) and from the community also participated in the technical part of the film with most of them training in the following departments; Make-up and special effects, Sound recording, Scripting, Production design including art on set, Continuity, Camera assistants and Boom operators. During filming on location the mentors in these departments trained the youth with hands on approach.
Director: Peter Wangugi Gitau
Writer: Peter Wangugi Gitau
CAST Ibrahim Rashid Patrick Macharia Halima Jatan Miriam Kinuthia Onesmus Kamau
Producer: Peter Wangugi Gitau Producer: Jackson Odiaga
Production: Tuwashow Pictures
FESTIVALS / Screenings
2020 | LAFF - Luxor African Film Festival | Luxor, Egypt * Selection: Tribute Section "Kenya Films" * Screening: March 7, 2020, with filmmaker and Kenyan Ambassador in attendance www.luxorafricanfilmfestival.com/en/Festival/Film/Kenya%20Films/The%20Cut
2018 | Zanzibar International Film Festival - ZIFF 2018 * "Selection" * Screening: June 6, 2018 https://www.ziff.or.tz/2018/06/06/the-cut/
2018 | 27th European Film Festival | Nairobi, Kenya | from May 4th to the 27th, 2018 * Screening: May 16, 2018, at the Michael Joseph Centre in Westlands * Kenyan Premiere
2018 | Toronto Black Film Festival | Toronto, Canada * "Official Selection" * Screening: February 16, 2018 * Canadian Premiere https://torontoblackfilm.com/movie/the-cut/
2017 | Cape Town International Film Market and Festival | Cape Town, South Africa * "Selection" * Screening: October 13, 2017 https://filmfestival.capetown/the-cut/
2017 | SVAFF - Silicon Valley African Film Festival | San Jose, United States * "Official Selection" * Screening: September 30, 2017 * World Premiere www.svaff.org/selections/narrative-feature/122-the-cut.html
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