Superhero Feel-Good Film 'Supa Modo' Has Been Selected as Kenya's Oscar Contender
Likarion Wainaina's film beat Wanuri Kahiu's 'RAFIKI' in the competitive race for this year's Kenyan Oscar bid.
Supa Modo, a film that tells the story of a mother driven to surround her dying daughter with joy in her last days, has been selected by the Kenya Film Commission to represent Kenya in the foreign language category of the Oscars, Variety reports.
Directed by Likarion Wainaina, the film had its world premiere at the Berlinale's Generation Kplus program in February 2017 and has been screened at over 30 festivals since. The film also snagged a Children's Jury Special Mention in Berlin.
Starring veteran actors Maryanne Nungo and Nyawara Ndambia with newcomer Stycie Waweru, Variety describes Supa Modo as "the uplifting tale of a terminally ill girl whose village comes together to fulfill her dreams of becoming a superhero, convincing her she has special powers and casting her as the star of her very own movie."
Watch the trailer below.
"We wish to congratulate the stellar cast and crew, director and producers of Supa Modo for the great film that they presented for the Committee," the Kenya Film Commission says in a press release. "We wish you all the best in the next two steps to being a nominee of the Oscars and hopeful winners as well."
After the ban on Wanuri Kahiu's RAFIKI was lifted, the Commission made an exception to include her film for consideration; in lieu of the film's sold out screenings in Kenyan cinemas during its one-week run.
Both Kahiu and Wainaina exchanged words of gratitude and mutual support on Twitter once the news came out.
Supa Modo was produced by One Fine Day Films, Tom Tykwer's Kenyan Shingle and Kenya's Ginger Ink.
