Unseen Nairobi
Film, Food & A View.
Keep scrolling to discover what’s on!
DEATH OF A SAINT
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A Danish director travels to Uganda to find out what happened the Christmas Eve her mother lost her life. A personal and life-affirming film about family, motherhood and confronting the past.
On Christmas Eve 1989, when film director Patricia Bbaale Bandak is two years old, her mother is shot and dies in the family home in Uganda. On Christmas Eve 2013, Patricia gives birth to a daughter of her own and names her Imelda after her late mother. Today, more than 30 years after the murder, she travels to Uganda to delve into the traumatic past and find out why her mother was killed and to get closer to who she really was. But how can you paint a truthful picture when culture dictates that you can’t speak ill of the deceased? And when you struggle to ask your father the difficult but necessary questions? Through dusty archive footage, shaky and humorous conversations with her brothers in Denmark and her family in Uganda, ‘Death of a Saint’ moves slowly towards an understanding of the brutal murder and her mother, but also of motherhood, family life and Patricia herself.
*Please note that as we are a small, cultural space our tickets are non refundable & cannot be exchanged for another date. So if you decide you can’t come at the last minute, we suggest donating or reselling your ticket! Make a friend happy with a gift of cinema.
DISCO AFRIKA
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In Madagascar, 20-year-old Kwame struggles to make a living in the clandestine sapphire mines. An unexpected event takes him back to his hometown. There, as he is reunited with his mother and old friends, he is also confronted by the rampant corruption that plagues his country. Kwame is forced to choose between easy money and loyalty; between individualism and a political awakening.
The young protagonist Kwame seems to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders but he always finds the strength to search for answers and a way to a better future. The film echoes the African civil rights movements of the 1970s – an era which marked an artistic and musical awakening as a continuation of the struggle for independence. In Kwame’s personal story, the film also addresses the legacy of colonialism and the history of resistance and throws a spotlight on the contemporary situation.
*Please note that as we are a small, cultural space our tickets are non refundable & cannot be exchanged for another date. So if you decide you can’t come at the last minute, we suggest donating or reselling your ticket! Make a friend happy with a gift of cinema.
Coming Soon…
THE EMPTY GRAVE
2024 | 97 min. | A Film by Cece Mlay & Agnes Lisa Wegner| Tanzania, Germany | Language: Swahili & German | Subtitles: English
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Songea, Tanzania. John Mbano is on a mission to find the human remains of his great-grandfather, Songea Mbano, who was executed by the German colonial army. The family’s mourning has been passed down through the generations at Songea’s grave in which his head never found a resting place. Instead, it was shipped to Germany for racist research. John and his wife Cesilia embark on a life-changing journey. Buoyed by their resilience as they research, they finally decide to travel to Berlin to find the remains of John’s ancestor. There, they encounter activists whose voices are fighting Germany’s culture of denial. Along with them, the Mbanos confront those in power with their need to bring their ancestor home. What follows is a rollercoaster ride of new hopes and familiar disappointments. Even the historic visit of the German Federal President to John’s hometown fails to bring the beloved ancestor back home. The family’s search continues.
*Please note that as we are a small, cultural space our tickets are non refundable & cannot be exchanged for another date. So if you decide you can’t come at the last minute, we suggest donating or reselling your ticket! Make a friend happy with a gift of cinema.
MINI MORNINGS AT UNSEEN
From fantastical adventures to hilarious animations, come and join us for a fun morning! Every Sunday from 10am.
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Our Mini Mornings gives smaller kids the chance to experience films on the big screen in a child friendly environment, with soft lighting and lowered film volume. Mini Mornings are run every Sunday morning at 10am. Suitable for ages 2+
The ticket price is 650 KSH per child and includes fresh juice and a healthy, homemade snack. All children must be under the supervision of an adult. The screening is free for the accompanying adults.
MOVIE QUIZ NIGHT
Next Quiz Night - January 22nd!
Join Mugambi Nthiga for another Movie Quiz at Unseen’s rooftop.
Join with your team or fly solo to compete as the ultimate movie trivia champion!
You can guarantee lots of laughs and friendly competition. Tickets are free but booking is essential.
UNSEEN GEMS FILMCLUB
Next Gems: January 26th
Join us for monthly themes and film discussions and discover the best film that you haven’t seen yet. Voting for the three film contenders via our Instagram page or Whatsapp Group.
Hosted by Unseen Nairobi with introductions & discussions led by friend, film lecturer & novelist, Matthew Daintrey-Hall.
Check out the GEMS archive on Letterboxd
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We don't want price to be a barrier to seeing and talking about great films, so pay what you can afford to join our Film Club each month!
Booking fee (supports a cheapy seaty)
550KSh
Subsidised fee (Cheapy Seaty) -
100KSh