Likarion Wainaina, the cinematographer who made his directorial debut with Supa modo, an acclaimed film released in February 2018, opened up on struggles he was facing despite his movie's international success.
Wainaina revealed details of a life away from the glitz and glamour of award shows, cameras and red carpets in a long, reflective post shared on Wednesday, June 10.
The movie about a community superhero in Kenya became one of buzzing features in various festivals in Europe and North America, but as Wainaina disclosed, he willingly signed a contract that saw him earn nothing after its release. He was paid Ksh1,500 a day for the duration of the production period.
The movie was Kenya's entry to the Foreign Language category at the 91st Academy Awards, although it was not nominated. At one award ceremony, Supa Modo won 15,000 Euros (Ksh1.5 million) but Wainaina received none of it.
He revealed the pain of travelling to Europe to pose for the cameras at the festivals with only Ksh3,000 to sustain him for a week.
He told a story of once landing back in Nairobi after winning the award, and going back to his house only to find it locked due to rent arrears.
"I came home to find my house locked by my landlord and I just sat there, on my suitcase, holding that award outside my door for hours trying to muster the courage to get up and push on. This film was going to kill me. I couldn't do it anymore.
"This wasn't the life I wanted. My friends, noticing this, staged an intervention fearing that I would do something to myself. As the success of the film became bigger the emptiness in my heart also got bigger.
"I poured my entire heart out while making Supa Modo, being reminded daily that this was a 'student film' and that I was a 'student' there to learn but that was something I said no to," Wainaina revealed.
The director revealed that he had learnt his lessons, particularly on the importance of meaningful contracts, as he plans to bounce back as a TV director.
He asserted, however, that he gladly welcomed the reception by audiences of the movie which staked a place among the most successful Kenyan films ever made.
"It was and still is one of, if not the greatest opportunity of my entire life. I love Supa Modo with all my heart and saying otherwise would be a great disservice to the cast and crew who worked their behinds off to get it done and also to the audience who have invested their emotion with the film and embraced it fully," he stated.
Supa Modo was produced as part of the One Fine Day Workshop Project, which credits itself as giving African filmmakers a chance to learn from mentors and create for an international audience.
Founded by Tom Wyker and Marie Steinmann, the program is responsible for several popular Kenyan films including Nairobi Half Life and Kati Kati.
Germany-based Rushlake Media announced the acquisition of sales rights for Supa Modo in October 2017 ahead of the film's release.
“It’s all at once a film with a strong female lead, a superhero film, a comedy about grief and dying, and a film about community and people coming together," Rushlake's Philip Hoffman described the film which stars Stycie Waweru.
