Joyah’s film generates debate at Kenya International Film Festival

Renowned film producer Shemu Joyah is back in the country from Kenya where his latest movie The Last Fishing Boat was screened.

Joyah , who made headlines with his previous movie Seasons of a Life, which screened in many festivals and won several awards, saw his new movi being selected for competition at the seventh edition of the Kenya International Film Festival.

The festival which ran under the theme ‘World Classics’, attracted over 350 films from 40 countries and was held from October 23 to November 3.

Joyah said he was excited to have taken The Last Fishing Boat to the Kenya International Film Festival and, despite not winning any awards, he is pleased that the movie generated debate.

“I am back. The film was very well received in Kenya and it created lots of debate after the screening. We did not win, but then as I have always said, I make films for entertainment and education and getting awards is a bonus,” he said.

He added that this production company, First Dawn Arts, will shortly be announcing the date for the launch of The Last Fishing Boat in the country.

Having screened at the Kenya International Film Festival, the movie next goes to the Verona African Film Festival which takes place from November 16-25 in Verona, Italy.

The Last Fishing Boat, which stars actors Hope Chisanu and Flora Suya among others, centres on a once successful fisherman on Lake Malawi, struggling due to the depletion of fish in the lake, while his cultural values are being threatened by the expanding tourist industry.

While his young and beautiful third wife is torn between loyalty to her husband and the endless sexual overtures by a white tourist who is ready to pay her anything in order to sleep with her.

The story develops into a cultural clash between traditional African values and modernisation.

According to Joyah, who has also struck a deal with his previous film with Africa Magic, The Last Fishing Boat explores the collision between African traditional culture and modernisation, and its impact on a simple Malawian family caught in the middle.