Unseen Nairobi
Film, Food & A View.
Keep scrolling to discover what’s on!
MADE IN ETHIOPIA
2024 | 91min. | A Film by Xinyan Yu and Max Duncan | Subtitles: English
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When a massive Chinese industrial park lands in rural Ethiopia, a dusty farming town finds itself at the new frontier of globalization. The sprawling factory complex’s formidable Chinese director Motto now needs every bit of mettle and charm she can muster to push through a high-stakes expansion that promises 30,000 new jobs. Ethiopian farmer Workinesh and factory worker Beti have staked their futures on the prosperity the park promises. But as initial hope meets painful realities, they find themselves, like their country, at a pivotal crossroads.
Filmed over four years with singular access, Made in Ethiopia lifts the curtain on China’s historic but misunderstood impact on Africa, and explores contemporary Ethiopia at a moment of profound crisis. The film throws audiences into two colliding worlds: an industrial juggernaut fueled by profit and progress, and a vanishing countryside where life is still measured by the cycle of the seasons. And its nuance, complexity and multi-perspective approach go beyond black-and-white narratives of victims and villains. As the three women’s stories unfold, Made in Ethiopia challenges us to rethink the relationship between tradition and modernity, growth and welfare, the development of a country and the well-being of its people.
*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.
SARAH
2025 | 81min. | A Film by Nick Reding | Subtitles: English
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Sarah is a young Maasai girl whose world shifts as her family faces a momentous decision: whether to adhere to traditional rites or embrace change. Unlike many girls in her community, Sarah has been allowed to attend school and has big dreams for her future. Her best friend Evelyn walks her to school every day yearning to learn as Sarah does.
Unbeknownst to Sarah, financial hardship has struck her family, and a wealthy suitor has offered a dowry for her hand in marriage. This proposal forces the family to consider FGC as part of the traditional pathway to marriage. As her mother weighs the advice of advocates against FGC, Sarah’s father struggles with the societal and economic pressures to conform to tradition. Meanwhile, Evelyn faces her own battle as her family pushes her towards the cut in preparations for marriage.
Through the courage of young Maasai warriors advocating for change, Sarah begins to believe she might have a voice in her future. Sarah is a tale of resilience, love for culture, and the courage to dream beyond the limits imposed by society.
*Warning: issues around FGM
*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.
THE LEGEND OF THE VAGABOND QUEEN OF LAGOS
2024 | 101min. | A Film by James Tayler, Bisola Akinmuyiwa, Elijah Segun Atinkpo, Tina Edukpo, Samuel Okechukwu, Temitope Ogungbamila, Mathew Cerf Subtitles: English
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Anchored by a stunning performance from Temi Ami-Williams (Eyimofe), the debut from Nigeria’s Agbajowo Collective, part thriller, part magical realism, is a riveting indictment of the unchecked development and forced evictions besetting Africa’s largest city. TIFF
Jawu (Ami-Williams) bears the mark of a warrior king but lives humbly, selling swallows at the local market, saving up for the better future she’s determined to build for herself and her son. The pair reside in the Agbojedo community, a floating slum planted in the lagoon that gives Lagos its name. Just as rumours begin circulating regarding government plans for new developments that would raze their homes, Jawu spies a corrupt politician (Adebowale Adedayo, also at the Festival in Freedom Way) burying a nest egg of cash. Struck by her good fortune, she takes the money for herself, thinking this might be her way out. Jawu doesn’t know that she is destined for a bigger battle that is yet to come.
*Warning: violence
*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.
KENYA CREATES SHORT FILM SERIES
Brought to you by DOCUBOX, Kenya Creates is a storytelling initiative dedicated to reimagining how Kenyan youth talk about their bodies and health. Through four captivating short films, we embrace a language that’s deeply personal, relatable, and rooted in our local history. It’s an invitation to rethink our relationship with our bodies and health—not just as a set of facts, but as a way to reconnect with our roots, opening up new possibilities along the way.
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Kenya Creates is a storytelling initiative dedicated to reimagining how Kenyan youth talk about their bodies and health. Through four captivating short films, we embrace a language that’s deeply personal, relatable, and rooted in our local history. It’s an invitation to rethink our relationship with our bodies and health—not just as a set of facts, but as a way to reconnect with our roots, opening up new possibilities along the way.
KNOW THY BODY, KNOW THYSELF (2024) Directed by Anthony “Ty” Ngachira
Ty takes us on a hilarious and unfiltered ride through his life as an African man, from childhood confusion about sex to awkward adult encounters with healthcare, condoms, and society’s impossible expectations—proving humour is the best way to know your body and yourself.
FLOAT (2024) Directed by Lydia Matata
A fourteen-year-old swimming Champion is dreading the first day of practice with her team, after a long Christmas break. As Wendo struggles to get comfortable in her own skin, during the gruelling swimming practice, she finds an ally in MARIAM, a Muslim cleaner with a totally different perspective of what constitutes a ‘great body’. Their swimming session becomes an exchange, with Wendo teaching Mariam how to get comfortable in the water and Mariam teaching Wendo how to become comfortable in her own skin.
HOME (2024) Directed by Adelle Onyango
The title poem “Home” exists as a short film that follows a young Kenyan girl’s relationship with her body, her name is Adhis. It begins in the past, weaving through a time in Africa where a woman’s body housed joy, confidence and was celebrated in dressing & dance. The poem brings us to Adhis’ childhood where this joy continues as she discovers her love for the outdoors. The joy is interrupted by Adhis’ mum who introduces a bright red shame and makes Adhis more conscious of her body. The poem then takes us to a teenage Adhis, desperate to love her body again but this time shame is introduced by the Catholic sisters in her school. Adhis battles with viewing her body from the male gaze. The poem highlights words Adhis carries with her that have complicated her relationship with her body. It ends with the proverbial phoenix (Adhis) rising from the ashes and her fight to come back home to herself.
BELLA IS DYING, MAYBE NEXT WEEK(2024) Directed by Abigail Arunga
12 year old Bella decides something is deeply wrong with her because of one rookie mistake: checking her symptoms on the internet. Little does she know that everyone - including her parents - are just as clueless as her.
*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 - April 30th
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: April 27th, 3pm with the theme “Excrutiating Families”
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