This one makes you laugh, cry and also reflect seriously on the thorny issue.

I am talking about Watatu, a new movie by a community-based performing group, Safe Pwani, that confronts the hard issue of youth radicalisation at the Kenyan coast, in an extremely engaging way.

Devised and shot at the Kenyan coast, the film premiered at the Prestige, Ngong Road in Nairobi and is expected to hit the coastal Mombasa screens later before taking a trip across the world.

By the time credits roll, you have interacted with the disturbing issue in its width and breath.



Friends, Yusuf (played by Said Muhsin) and Salim (played by Ali Mohamed Mlatso) meet after a long period. Even before they are done revisiting the sweet old days, their parents get into a catfight over their tribal affiliation, one arguing that the other is part of their community's problem.

The two families are from the different sides of the country that have been arguing over historical issues.

On their part, the two long time buddies, younger and more composed, won't understand the rivalry of the strangers.

A third player, Salim's younger relative who appears to be full of anger, enters the scene: He confronts Yusuf, who happens to be a security operative transferred here to work with the community resolve their issues, claiming that he was also the source of their problems, having got a job at their expense.

What initially looks like a petty quarrel grows into bombings and deaths, forcing the warring sides back to the drawing board to confront their historical issues that won't just disappear.

What follows is an honest conversation that easily brings answers and harmony, indicative of the painful process communities must go through to reach some sustainable solutions to the issue of radicalisation.

In a light hearted way, Watatu, Swahili for a threesome- addresses a very real issue, easily provoking a serious debate on an issue that has often been discussed in hushed voices.

It is well wrapped with a soundtrack that creates the right texture as it sets the tone, with compelling voice Nyota Ndogo and Sauti Sol's Sura Yako beautifully wrapping the message.

Sura Mzuri, though a love song, is wittingly cut into the tense storyline to calm nerves, and also suggests the need for tolerance among the different shades of people living at the coast.

The unpretentious style doesn't shy away from breaking some of the storytelling manners, which then easily delivers a fresh narrative.

Without getting too cosy, the poignant film digs into the historical factors that have bred frustration, anger and later action against what is perceived as years of oppression.

In the clash of arguments, the different community agrees that there are definitely issues and that the answers to them lie within their reach, not outside in places like Somalia.

First, the film places itself: as a story on an extremely sensitive issue with global relevance. The narrator enters Skype, which places the action in its rightful time. That also grabs the attention of the tech savvy modern cinema lovers, whose lives revolve around WhatsApp, Skype, and Facebook

The framing also places it on the global stage; happening on one corner but with serious ramifications across the globe.

Most of the Africans, especially the diaspora, mostly rely on the technology to keep abreast with issues back home.
Just like the Malian movie Timbuktu, the latest addition to Safe Ghetto's productions addresses the trails of terror in the Malian heritage site by the same name. But it has one serious problem: Just like Ndoto za Elibidi and Ni Sisis released earlier, this is another engaging piece.

It is also a bit long on dialogue, which doesn't take anything away; it is its way of telling a story in disregard to some of the notes taken in film school, which seem to work.

Radicalisation at the Kenyan coast is a serious issue.
The area is near Somalia that has been in turmoil since the ouster of Siad Barre in 1991 after his 22 years rule. The state of lawlessness in the Horn of Africa nation has somehow affected the neighbouring areas.
Despite efforts to restore normalcy in Somalia, terrorism remains a major challenge to Kenya, especially because of its involvements in Somali's conflict in the UN peace mission.

This has seen recruitment of many Kenyan youths into the conflict, with promise of economic prosperity. Due to historical grievances on land, jobs and unequal distribution of resources over time, some individuals among the coastal communities have appeared to sympathise with the terrorists, causing a clash with others living in the region.

by MWENDA wa MICHENI in Nairobi

First published on www.africareview.com