Sandals Worn Backwards
Log Line- “When the Mau Mau rebels trekked through Mount Kenya in sandals worn backwards, they led the British army astray and their own people down a path of terror.”
Synopsis
Since the early 19th century, Kenya had been devastated and impoverished by the colonial rule of the British. The Mau Mau, rising up from the Kikuyu tribe, took to the forests of the Central Highlands and waged a guerilla war. Revered and feared, the Mau Mau resistance group was instrumental in Kenya’s struggle for independence against the British during the 1950s–1960s. Yet now, almost 70 years later, many members of the Kikuyu tribe that had made up the majority of the fighters still refuse to discuss the stories of the battle for independence. Why is the silence held so strongly to this day? Horror at the atrocities the Mau Mau rebels committed in the name of freedom? Shame for falling prey to Britain’s “divide and conquer” method that pitted the Mau Mau against their own people? Fear of retribution if old secrets are spilled? Delve into the mystery of the Mau Mau rebellion, discover the true nature of these fearsome fighters, and learn the role they played in Kenya’s fight for independence.
Cheza Jouer Films (English translation= Playful Play Films) is a collaboration of soul-mates and a cross-cultural fusion. Co-founder Allan Gaitirira, who is originally from Kenya, contributes the Swahili based word Cheza. Diana Gaitirira, Allan’s wife and co-founder is of Haitian descent and donates the French word Jouer. Together they have created a powerful and intriguing team that delights in preserving the oral tradition of storytelling.
Cheza Jouer Films is a production company based in Albuquerque, NM. Our aim is to create social films and documentary content from a minority’s perspective that would otherwise not be available in mainstream media platforms in developed countries. We intend to create awareness, knowledge, and support to social causes and issues throughout developing and third-world countries.
Sandals Worn Backwards is the name of their premiere documentary which focuses on an in-depth look into the Mau Mau fighters of the 1950’s-1960’s in Kenya. Fans can connect with the dynamic duo, see behind the scenes footage and photos as they go from conceptà creationà completion on their social media sites:
http://www.chezajouerfilms.com/#!behind-the-scenes/cfvg
https://www.facebook.com/ChezaJouerFilmsllc?bookmark_t=page https://twitter.com/ChezaJouerFIlms
Credits:
Production team: Daniel Dinning-co-director/ cinematographer/editor, Juli Anne Dinning-producer, and Shannon Moreau-producer/writer.
