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Reviews
Soul Boy (2010)
Technically impressive, weak story.
I watched this film in a special presentation at the Berlin Film Festival. It was technically impressive, the visuals and sound very high quality for an African-theme film. It is excellent that youth were also trained on the production. I liked the performance of the main actress, she was spectacular. The main actor, at times, felt stilted and uncomfortable, perhaps this was due to the fact that this was the first film he every appeared in.
However, I found the story-line to be thin and unrealistic. It felt more European and almost like Tom Twyver's Run Lola Run but set in an African slum. Reminded me of the short film Kibera Kid, yet it lacked a certain authenticity. This may have been due to the mainly European technical crew and the influence of Tom Twyver on the production. He was the producer and the supervising director on the film and from my understanding directed / supervised the film.
Overall worth seeing if interested in African films, yet don't expect too much. It's simple, well executed but not too deep or authentic.
Kibera Kid (2006)
Inspring Film, great main performance from main actor
I watched this film at the Berlin Film Festival in 2007, and found it to be inspiring yet challenging. It was the best short film that I saw in the 'Generations' section of the festival.
Kibera Kid is an authentic view into life for a young boy on Kibera, that at times, though fictional, felt like a documentary. Amazing insight into the world of urban slums in Africa.
The main child is really good, I was amazed to find out that he was really from Kibera, and not a professional actors. On the minus side, though some of the supporting actors not as good. Also it felt a bit short, could have been longer.
Great for anyone interested in street children in Africa, slums, and insight into this world. Check it out if you can.