Kenya Rock Film Festival Journal

Music video production, religion and butt kissing!

2011-12-22T08:59:00.000-08:00

Mildred Achoch talks to Martyr’s Truth Records founder Brad Partin about music video production, religion and butt kissing!

Mildred Achoch: What goes into producing a music video?
Brad Partin: $$$
Mildred : (laughs) Of course! Then do you get to pick the director, costumes etc?
Brad: I picked the song. Sorted through some videos by the different camera/video people, and picked the best of the bunch. The costumes were pretty much up to the people in the video and the artist. The folks in the video have to sign releases for their image/photo's to be used (legal crap).
Mildred: Sounds interesting! I plan to direct videos some time in the future…
Brad: You should! I paid good money for that video.
Mildred: But I hate all that legal stuff.
Brad: Legal stuff sucks but it is a necessary evil. I don’t like getting sued. Also, people WILL take advantage of you so you better be careful what you sign off on or agree to do.
Mildred: I would love to be more careful but sometimes I just sign stuff because I need to get paid quickly! Hopefully, after I've won that Oscar, things will be different.
Brad: Starving for your art makes us martyrs. Hence the name of my label. I'll put in a good word for you on that Oscar! (laughs) But you’re gonna have to kiss all the butts on your own.
Mildred: Ah! So that's where the name comes from!!! Mystery solved lol! I have never learned the art of butt kissing. And of course, as a Christian, why should I butt kiss when I have my heavenly Father's favor?
Brad: Word. Truth. The blood/story of the martyrs is the loudest voice there is. God Bless you. Stay gold!

For more information about Martyr’s Truth Records, check out http://www.myspace.com/martyrstruthrecords

Link to the music video: http://www.myspace.com/chicagoisburningmusic/videos

Wires

2011-11-22T01:17:00.001-08:00

Quick Skull Drawing :-)

2011-11-07T00:36:00.000-08:00

The name of the band that did the song used in this video is "Alter Bridge"

"Traffic" by Bloodshed

2011-10-22T02:02:00.000-07:00

Murfy's Flaw video for their single 'In Silence'

2011-09-17T04:46:00.000-07:00

Kenyan Rocker Plays the Guitar :-)

2011-09-17T03:42:00.000-07:00

Homeboyz Animation School

2011-08-25T03:05:00.000-07:00

Founded: 2011
Location: Ambar House, 2nd Floor, Next to Click Club (formerly K2), Baricho Rd, Nairobi, Kenya, 00202

A new training center in the heart of Nairobi paving the way to a new age of media production in Kenya and the Eastern African Region.

A state of the art Animation studio offering an intense six month training course designed to offer the student a reliable skill set that includes the latest advances in digital imaging techniques and technology, basic animation skills for character animation and motion graphics and an introduction into the dynamics of the fast growing media industry in Kenya and the world. At the end of this course the student will have acquired skills and learning material that will, in addition to their own personal effort, elevate them to the forefront of media production career opportunities and help build this new exiting industry in Kenya. The course will be a free space that will introduce the student to methods of interaction and learning from valuable personalities and resource all over the world through the internet.

This course is structured around the fast growing phenomenon of online self-improvement that has produced some of the worlds greatest achievements in recent times. We are living in an age when information has become free and easily accessible to anyone anywhere in the world. The days when the only way of acquiring advanced skills and information was by attending expensive colleges and universities sparsely spread around the world are behind us. In additional to the training offered at the Homeboyz animation studio, students will be inducted with online self teaching skills and resource portals that will allow them to update and advance their skills continuously, remaining marketable and becoming growing assets to their clients and employers.

For more details: http://hbanimation.wordpress.com/
Email: tinga_plus@yahoo.com
Phone: 020 2692394
Website: http://hbanimation.wordpress.com/

ATTENTION KENYAN/AFRICAN ROCKERS AND FILMMAKERS!

2011-02-27T23:33:00.003-08:00

John Canciani, from the International Short Film Festival Witnerthur (http://www.kurzfilmtage.ch/) contacted me with this information:

“For the 15th edition, taking place from 9th of November till 13th, we are planing to present several programms of Short Movies from the African continent and I'm programming a special evening with the Theme "Heavy Metal" and thats where I would like to ask you if you could help me. First if you can recommend me any short movies from kenya, any genre and films with something to do with heavy metal (or near to this theme) from any country or even from kenya oder african continent.

Besides that, we also have an international competition at the festival. If you know filmmakers in Kenya feel free to ask them to reply at our festival.

If you have any films (less than 30 mins) released during the last two years, we'd be glad if you register for the competition on our website [http://kurzfilmtage.ch/default.aspx?ID1=26&ID2=43].

The International Short Film Festival Winterthur is Switzerland's largest and most important short film festival. The festival takes place each year in November. It is a popular audience event and an important platform for short films and professional exchange.

For detailed information visit our Webpage

http://www.kurzfilmtage.ch/ "

ROFFEKE gets a mention in Wikipedia!

2011-01-16T02:54:00.000-08:00

I recently heard about the Rock Society of Kenya so I decided to google to find out more about it. This is when I came across a Wikipeida entry about the Music of Kenya and RSK was mentioned under Rock. I was also pleasantly surprised when I read:

"Organized member bodies such as Wiyathi (now defunct)& Roffeke (Rock 'n' Roll Film Festival Kenya) were fundamental in initially marketing local rock bands in the country by hosting regular shows & helped to establish a vibrant rock community."

It's great to receive some recognition!

Read the whole entry about rock music in Kenya at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Kenya#Rock

Happy New Year!

2011-01-16T02:43:00.001-08:00

Yes, a happy 2011 to everyone! This is the year that ROFFEKE resurrects from a long and fitful slumber. Watch this space for news and updates.

My Caddy Won't Let Me

2010-06-26T09:25:00.001-07:00

I think it would be awesome if this project saw the light of day! So go on, do what you can to help. Me, I'm doing my bit by spreading the word about it :-)

2009-08-03T11:57:00.001-07:00

Legends of Doo wop! :-)

2009-02-25T11:03:00.000-08:00

I love this!

Rock Bands, Guitar Heroes And Management Theory

2008-12-19T09:23:00.001-08:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation: (After all, a slide show is kinda like a silent movie, right? :-)

Rock Bands, Guitar Heroes And Management Theory

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: entrepreneur management)

Almost Famous

2008-09-28T09:17:00.000-07:00

This is an excerpt from the script of "Almost Famous", one of my favourite rock films!

71 EXT. SUN STADIUM - NIGHT 71

It's raining. The pre-show huddle breaks up, William a part
of them. Penny Lane adjusts Larry's look. She takes the scarf
from around his neck and ties it around his leg. He looks
instantly better. William watches in the darkness as Dick
takes the microphone. The best part of his day has arrived.
In his important voice:

DICK
Good evening Phoenix.
(applause)
From Troy, Michigan. Please welcome,
Stillwater.

Lights come up, as the band launches into "Fever Dog." Jeff
begins singing. Russell reaches to adjust the microphone for
a back-up vocal and is hit with something unexpected.

A sharp electrical shock.

It's just a slight pop in the loud din of music, but within a
moment something is clearly wrong. Russell holds onto the
microphone stand with a surprised look, conducting high-voltage
for two seconds and then he snaps his hand off the metal. His
face is white, he takes off his guitar and walks off-stage,
collapsing a couple steps later.

72 EXT. BACKSTAGE -- NIGHT 72

Dick is waving wildly for the band to board the bus, which has
been pulled up into the backstage area. He guides a sagging
Russell, assisted by Penny Lane, into the bus.

DICK
Get in, get in!!

William boards the bus, as the extremely agitated PROMOTER
arrives to confront Dick.

PROMOTER
Are you the manager of this band?

DICK
That, and more. Get in!

PROMOTER
You didn't even play a full set!

Dick whirls and unleashes an anger we've not yet seen, gesturing
with the silver briefcase that does not leave his hand.

DICK
Your shoddy stage set-up almost killed
our guitarist!

PROMOTER
You trashed the dressing room - you
didn't play your thirty-five minutes.
You didn't fulfill your contract -

DICK
Everybody in! Get in the bus!

PROMOTER
I'll report you to every promoter in
the country! I'm gonna talk to Frank
Barcelona!

DICK
YOU DON'T FUCK WITH MY BAND'S SAFETY!

PROMOTER
I hope you have a good lawyer.

DICK
I AM A LAWYER!

He swings into the bus, as the bus revs.

PROMOTER
LOCK THE GATE ON 'EM!

ROFFEKE Movie Trailer Festival!

2008-09-01T11:49:00.000-07:00

Elvis' Grave directed by Dave Hughens
Girls Rock!
Altered by Elvis
Afro-Punk directed by James Spooner

ROFFEKE AND WWW.ROCK.CO.KE!

2008-08-01T11:59:00.000-07:00

It's official! ROFFEKE is partnering with rock.co.ke (a registered company).

ROFFEKE Short film competition!

2008-06-27T08:23:00.000-07:00

Contestants: Kenya's top filmmakers
Judges: Kenya's top rock fans
Prize: Absolutely nothing! (Well, except maybe gaining the respect of the very-hard-to-please Kenyan rock fans)

Still interested?:-) If so, read on...

The only requirement is that the short film/documentary/music video MUST have a rock 'n' roll theme. Otherwise, anything goes. ANYTHING!

Tentative deadline: August 30th but this is negotiable. However, the first film to be submitted will automatically win the festival director's award :-)

You can use ROFFEKE's motto as a theme guideline: "Friendship, fun, freedom"

To participate as a judge or as a contestant contact the festival director at roffeke@gmail.com

ROFFEKE and The Black Rock Coalition?

2008-04-26T11:21:00.000-07:00

The main objectives of ROFFEKE are:

1)To showcase local and international rock ‘n’ roll films and music videos for the purposes of education and entertainment.
2)To organize workshops, forums and seminars related to various aspects of rock music and the film industry.
3)To provide a platform for emerging and established, local and international rock bands.

One of Black Rock Coalition's objectives is to offer:

Educational opportunities for people inside and outside of the organization in the form of lectures, workshops, seminars, research, library resources, audio-visual resources and public forums/discussions

ROFFEKE hopes to join forces with the Black Rock Coalition:-)

http://www.blackrockcoalition.org

ROFFEKE AND THE GOTHIC LIBERATION FRONT?

2008-03-10T06:30:00.001-07:00

ROFFEKE's mission is "to promote rock music in Kenya by dispelling rock 'n' roll myths and misconceptions via the media of film."

The Gothic Liberation Front (GLF) seeks to "Educate the public on the truth behind subcultures, and dispel any myths propagated by the news media and popular religion."

ROFFEKE hopes to join forces with GLF.

www.myspace.com/gothicliberationfront

"GIRLS ROCK!" OPENS NATIONWIDE (THE U.S.) MARCH 7

2008-02-08T05:53:00.000-08:00

THE MOVIE (rated PG)

At Rock 'n' Roll Camp, girls ranging in age from eight to 18 are taught that it's OK to sweat like a pig, scream like a banshee, wail on their instruments with complete and utter abandon, and that "it is 100% okay to be exactly who you are." They are taught by indie rock chicks such as Carrie Brownstein from Sleater-Kinney various lessons of empowerment from self-defense to anger management. At the end of just one week, all the bands perform songs they've written with their new bandmates for over 700 people. "Girls Rock!" follows several campers: Laura, a Korean adoptee obsessed by death metal; Misty, who is emerging from a life of meth addiction and gang activity; Palace, whose heavy metal sneer belies her seven years, and Amelia, an eight-year-old who writes experimental rock songs about her dog Pipi. What happens to the girls as they are given a temporary reprieve from being sexualized, analyzed and pressured to conform is truly revolutionary.

THE TRAILER

http://www.girlsrockmovie.com/special/trailer

THE FILMMAKERS

"Girls Rock!" is truly a labor of love. Shane King and Arne Johnson are Portland kids who grew up and relocated to the Bay Area, where they found a home and support amongst the great documentary filmmaking community there. They've mortgaged houses and cashed out retirements to finish their first film, about a group of very courageous girls, while other folks have donated time and finances.

Spread the news. Tell all your friends in our March 7 cities—Seattle, San Francisco, Berkeley, Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland and New York—to go see "Girls Rock!" March 7-9.

P.S. Fender® has donated some limited edition "Girls Rock! The Movie" customized electric guitars to be given away, so if yer innerested go see how to enter at http://www.girlsrockmovie.com/special/contest

(From the Filmmakers of "Girls Rock")

Rock for Charity

2008-01-18T23:44:00.000-08:00

A rock show to help the victims of the recent post-election violence in Kenya.
Date: 27th January, 2008.
Venue: The Cockpit, Langata Road (Opposite Langata Uchumi Hyper)
Time: 2pm to 8pm
Bands: Murfy's Flaw, Seismic, Edge of Reason, Bob Rambo, The Fumes, gods of mischief
Entry: Dry foods (e.g beans, rice, flour etc), medicine, blankets, clothes, etc.

Kenya Only

2008-01-04T05:43:00.000-08:00

"Let my flag remind me
Of my sacred duty
Black for the people
Green for the land
Red for the price of freedom
And white for peace in Kenya
My pride, my strength, my joy
Always peace in Kenya
In pride, in strength, in joy."

-"Kenya Only" by Eric Wainaina. After the August 1998 terrorist attacks in Kenya, the song was adopted as the official song of mourning. And now during this period of political unrest as a result of the December 2007 General Elections, "Kenya Only" is the cry of the majority of Kenyans, who just want peace in Kenya. God bless Kenya.

"O God of all creation /Ee Mungu nguvu yetu
Bless this our land and nation /Ilete baraka kwetu
Justice be our shield and defender /Haki iwe ngao na mlinzi
May we dwell in unity /Natukae na undugu
Peace and liberty /Amani na uhuru
Plenty be found within our borders." /Raha tupate na ustawi

-First verse of the Kenyan national anthem (English and Swahili version)

Year in Review

2007-12-15T06:11:00.000-08:00

December 11, 2006: I jet in back from South Africa, just in time for Jamhuri Day (December 12). It’s soooo good to be back in Kenya. The future seems full of possibilities! 8 months to the first ever Kenyan rock film fesival.

January, 2007: I meet with the audiovisual attaché at the French Embassy regarding a venue and films for the first ROFFEKE. A very kind man. He tells me of the Musique en Scene series which features artists like Les Nubians and a couple of French rock bands. He refers me to someone at the Alliance Francaise.

February 2007: I meet with a very helpful lady from the marketing department of the Kenyatta International Conference Centre. The KICC would be an awesome venue for ROFFEKE!

March 2007: I meet with most of the ROFFEKE founding members for the first time. A lovely (and lively!) group of people. Also, in this month, I learn of a certain rockumentary called Afro-Punk, which is about African American punks.

April 2007: David Hughens, the director of Elvis’ Grave gives ROFFEKE permission to screen his film on the night of Elvis’ 30^th death anniversary.

May 2007: I go for a meeting about ROFFEKE at the Kenya Film Commission.

June 2007: Shiku, one of the founding members of ROFFEKE tells me about “Girls Rock”

July 2007: I write the script for the short film “Black Genes”. Another ROFFEKE founding member, Kagure Njagi, shoots and edits it.

August 2007: The first ever ROFFEKE is held at the Pavement club.

September 2007: I attend a scriptwriting workshop that takes place during the Kenya International Film Festival. The workshop was facilitated by Gaston Kabore, a filmmaker from Burkina Faso and the founder of a film school called “Imagine” (www.imagine.bf).

October 2007: I attend a scriptwriting course at the Godown Arts Centre. The course is facilitated by Charles Liburd. As part of the course, we watch Die Hard 4. There is one scene in the movie where they show a part of Flyleaf’s music video for “I’m so sick”

November 2007: I think I’m so sick of ROFFEKE. I wrestle with giving up.

December 2007: I am getting restless again. The airport is beckoning me again. A few days to the general elections. I will vote for the first time. I am disillusioned.

Remembering Freddie Mercury (and World Aids Day)

2007-11-28T04:05:00.001-08:00

Mama, ooh, I don't want to die

-‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen.

“The video made by Queen in 1975 to accompany Bohemian Rhapsody is generally regarded as the first conscious use of music video to promote a pop single.” (Keith Negus, ‘Producing Pop’, pg 93).

‘After Freddie Mercury died [on November 24, 1991], ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ was re-released, with all the profits designated for a British AIDS charity, the Terence Higgins Trust. The single which had made Queen rock legends was at number 1 just six days later. In death, as in life, Freddie Mercury proved that he was a hard act to follow.” (Alan Hall, ‘Secrets of the Stars’).

Freddie Mercury was born in Zanzibar (Kenya’s neighbour), in September 1946 to Persian parents who named him Farokh Bulsara. Freddie took the name Mercury because he thought that, like the liquid metal, he would “spill over the world like no-one before me.”

“As the disease grew steadily worse so Mercury devised new ploys to disguise its ravages. He wore thick make up to hide the blotches and lesions; he padded his clothes out to make his body appear to be more nourished than it really was.” (Alan Hall, “Secrets of the Stars”).

Freddie’s statement signed hours before his death in November 1991:

“I wish to confirm I have been tested HIV positive and have AIDS. I felt it correct to keep this information private to date in order to protect the privacy of those around me. However, the time has now come for my friends and fans around the world to know the truth. I hope everyone will join with me, my doctors and all those worldwide in the fight against this terrible disease.”

Who wants to live forever,
Who dares to love forever,
Who dare who dare,
Who wants to live forever,
When love must die

Wiyathi Halloween Gig!

2007-10-30T10:27:00.000-07:00

Date: Saturday, 3rd November
Time: 1pm
Place: Trackers (opposite Yaya Centre)
Bands:1. Last Years Tragedy
2. Navarone.
3. Ueta
4. Bloodshed.
5. Seismic
6.M2O
7. Murphy's Flaw

Cancellation: Afro-punk screening

2007-10-20T03:44:00.000-07:00

Due to some technical difficulties, the Afro-punk screening is cancelled until further notice.

Afro-Punk screening

2007-10-15T09:35:00.000-07:00

Problem: lack of venue and projector/screen Solution: Have the film fest in an internet cafe!

On the fourth floor of Norwich Union House (opposite the Hilton hotel) there is an internet cafe that has 74 computers. This is where I have decided to screen Afro-punk. (I wish I got this idea one year ago. Would have saved me a whole lot of stress, time and money!)

They charge 1 shilling per minute. Afro-punk is about 66 minutes so anyone who is interested in watching the documentary will be required to pay 60 bob for the use of a computer.

I plan to screen Afro-punk on the 21st of October (Sunday at 3pm, Norwich Union House (opposite Hilton hotel), fourth floor. You will be required to pay 60 bob for the use of a computer.

There are only 70 computers available.Anyone who wishes to come watch the documentary should send an email to roffeke@yahoogroups.com. Put "Afro-punk" as the subject. In the body of the email, write how many people you intend to bring along. If you're coming alone, write "none".

For more information about Afro-Punk check out www.afro-punk.com For more information about the venue check out www.browsekenya.com

Review: Murfy's flaw gig (from back to front:-)

2007-10-08T10:07:00.000-07:00

10. We all huddle together. Waiting for the sun to come out again.:-(
9. Navarone is forced off stage. By the rain.
8. Navarone comes on stage. I won't try to describe how they played because no words can do them justice. You had to be there. All I can say is that Navarone renewed my faith in the Kenyan rock scene. Hearing and seeing them play reminded me why I put up with all the nonsense in this scene. By the way, NAVARONE'S DRUMMER FOR PRESIDENT!:- )

Read the rest of the review here. And here are photos of the gig

Murfy's fLaW October 6th Gig

2007-10-01T09:19:00.001-07:00

Jozie posted this on Kenya Rocks:

You're all invited (begged to come) to Murfy's fLaW gig on Saturday 6th October at The GoDown Arts Centre from 2pm to 6pm.

The format is pretty simple. There are two bands playing, Murfy's fLaW and M20, AND there's going to be an open mic session, so if anyone else is interested in playing a couple of songs, please feel free to sign up.

Entrance is FREE, so come, buy some drinks, sit in the sun and enjoy yourselves.

Kitchen Party

2007-09-24T09:18:00.000-07:00

I met Samba Yonga at a 2004 scriptwriter's workshop held in Cape Town. It was such a joy to discover that not only did we share a passion for all things film, we also were passionate about rock 'n' roll in general and Alanis Morrissette in particular:-) Below is a synopsis of the short film that she (Samba not Alanis!) directed.

Synopsis

KITCHEN PARTY

Duration: 28 minutes

Directors: Milumbe Haimbe and Samba Yonga (Eris Progeny Films)

Producer: Anna M. Phiri
Language: English

Country: Zambia

In a restrictive society where a young woman’s pride lies in acquiring stability, a home a husband and children. Madison, a young aspiring musician struggles to find her identity when she resists taking up her expected role and takes her own path.

Madison’s cousin Leonisa is getting married, Leonisa was a person who shared Madison ’s dreams of becoming a musician a person who somehow along the way had left the dream that they shared with Madison for a more sensible lifestyle. Getting married. Madison still held on to the dream of becoming a rock musician and persevered she sent a demo to South Africa and she is called for a meeting with them her challenge is to raise money to get to the meeting which is scheduled on the same day as her cousins wedding. A wedding she expected to attend without fail.

Defying her traditional and family roles Madison works hard to achieve her goals against all odds. The story embarks on a journey that reveals how one person’s ambition alters ones perspective on what direction one should take in life. Set in modern day Africa , the story glides through the intricacies of the rich African tradition and how it retains and at the same time loses its authority in an ever-changing society.

The film explores how traditional norms confine a person and puts them in a prison that they themselves do not see and how breaking free from this freedom is looked at as disrespectful and unusual.

Biodata

Directors Biography

Born in 1979, Samba Yonga is a Zambian who has a Diploma in Journalism from the Evelyn Hone College of Applied Arts and Commerce in Lusaka, Zambia. After working at the nations largest paper for a year, she moved into TV and radio productions and has worked on a number of local radio and television programs. She attended a scriptwriter’s workshop funded by Deutsche Welle Television in Germany and facilitated by South African film maker Dermod Judge, where her idea for a documentary was selected as one of the best ideas and she was selected to attend the Sithengi Film Festival in November 2004. It is her first full directorial project. She recently worked as trainee assistant director on the set of Zambian director and filmmaker Catherine Kaseketi’s “SUWI” film project. She has also worked extensively on two film projects. ‘What makes a Zambian’ which is a documentary and also co-written a short film called ‘Kitchen Party’.

The most common reason why Kenyan rock bands break up

2007-09-17T04:51:00.000-07:00

In the West, rock bands break up because of creative differences or death of a band member. In Kenya, the most common reason why bands break up is that a band member is leaving the country to go to the West for further studies! Yet another Kenyan band has succumbed to this phenomenon and is looking for new band members. This was posted on Kenya Rocks:

Hi,

Am in a local rock band.It has suffered a bit of loss in manpower. We need new members asap. We have gigs coming up. We are looking for a good drummer,lead guitarist (plus of course, he must play rhythm also), and a keyboard guy. All these guys must be preferably working class, over 21 and have atleast 2 years playing experience. (we can make exceptions though - anyone can try. you'll never know!) A great voice is an added advantage.

Holla @ me for more info.

For more info: kenyarocks@yahoogroups.com

Remembering 9/11

2007-09-10T10:21:00.000-07:00

I watched you bravely bear

I was on a break from University so I was watching one of my favourite cartoons, Johnny Bravo. Suddenly I was interrupted by a newsflash; smoke was billowing from a building. “Big deal,” I muttered. “Bring Bravo back!”

“The sting of foreign killer bees from the air”

After five minutes, I began to get really impatient. “What is taking them so long? They should be returning to the scheduled programming by now!” As I was sitting there, fuming, watching smoke billowing from a building, a plane appeared on the TV screen…and flew right into a second building! I sat up.

So you dropped down to your knees

Amid prayers, profanities and pleas

Reluctantly taking with you thousands

Hoping that in time we would understand

I couldn’t understand it. How could a human being plan such a horrendous attack on his fellow human beings?

(Here is the rest of the story.)

Quote of the week:-)

2007-09-03T10:10:00.000-07:00

"To be involved with a festival and be a programmer, you have to love film…. I mean love it like a girlfriend/boyfriend/husband/wife. You have to love it, warts and all."
—Matt Dentler, South by Southwest Film Festival

Quote is from a roundtable discussion with three programmers of major U.S. film festivals.

Black Genes!

2007-08-27T06:40:00.000-07:00

“I did it! Now to edit.”

“It” is the short film (with a rock theme) that Kagure Njagi - yet another ROFFEKE founding member - asked me to help her write:

“Hey! I got Mostafa to be in my production, but I have no idea what the production is…HELP!”

So I helped. We met at the bomb blast park to discuss the way forward. We brainstormed about the concept and she finally came up with one that we both liked. And though I was swamped, I agreed to send her the script by evening the next day.

3.30pm the next day. I still hadn’t sat down to tackle the script. The truth was, I was afraid and was suffering from self doubt: “Who are you to write another script when you haven’t even finished typing and proof-reading the one you started four years ago?”

But at 4pm, I killed that nasty, accusing voice, prayed to my higher power and hoped for the best. Two hours later, I emerged with the script! Four days later, Kagure shot the film:

“I did it! Now to edit.”

And yesterday, Kagure sent me two promo pics for BLACK GENES.I am soooooo proud of her!:-)

Guerilla Film Festival! (The gothic side of ROFFEKE):-)

2007-08-17T10:55:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I was stuck in between two worlds, film and rock. Which is understandable since it was supposed to be a rock film festival. Turned out to be more of a rock BAND festival.Anyway.

I had to cut Bloodshed's wonderful performance short. We were running behind schedule and the management was insisting that I show the first movie, Elvis' Grave. And since it was supposed to be a rock FILM festival....Anyway.

The motto of the festival is Friendship, fun, freedom. I made friends. I suppose some people had fun. But I thought there was very little freedom. And it's difficult to be friendly and have fun without freedom. So now I'm going to concentrate on the freedom aspect of the festival. Freedom is...messy.Dictatorial. Undemocratic. Guerilla-ish. People. I will have my festival. And this time, things will go my way.

*putting on war paint*

No more miss nice guy:-)

Um, if anyone has anything good to say about yesterday, please let me know. Don't bother mentioning the negative aspects. They will be forever etched in my mind. They will be fodder for my guerilla warfare:-)

Benta!

2007-08-12T23:27:00.000-07:00

Ok, so Cajetan Boy invites me to the premiere of Benta, a Kenya film for which he had written the screenplay. And the invitation was very clear that the dress code was "strictly black tie". Woe. Weeping. Gnashing of teeth. The last time I wore formal was on my Graduation Day. About five years ago.I didn't have 'formal shoes' so on Friday I went shoe shopping. A very traumatizing experience! It was so traumatizing that I bought myself three novels just to make myself feel better:-)

So anyway, Sunday, 12th, the day of the premiere. I reach the venue, Kenya National Theatres and what is this I see? Only about two other people are wearing formal. AND I'M ONE OF THE TWO! ALMOST EVERYONE IS WEARING CASUAL!!! To make matters worse, I see Cajetan and he's wearing casual! Cajetan, ushindwe!:-)

Fast forward to about an hour later. I'm sitting in the darkened theatre watching Benta. My formal outfit (including my short skirt which is riding dangerously up my thighs) is forgotten. Everything is forgotten. Because this movie Benta is the best Kenyan movie I have watched so far!

So why am I mentioning a non-rock themed movie like Benta on a rock film blog? Yes, Benta doesn't have a rock theme but it touches on some of the same things that we Kenyan rock fans are struggling with. There is the class issue. Benta is a househelp working for an upper class family. Rock in Kenya is considered 'upper class' music. There is the problem of cliche's. Benta is hardworking, intelligent and perceptive. But her employers consider her to be just a stereotypical househelp. Kenyan rock fans are stereotyped as 'trying to be white'. Or being 'devil worshippers'. Which brings me to the other issue that Benta touches on. The hypocrisy of the church. It's Benta's church-going employers who treat her like a non-human being. It is the church that is most critical of ALL rock music, whether Christian or not.

Enough said. It doesn't matter whether you like rock or not. If you like good quality, entertaining movies that don't preach at you but still manage to put their point across about the social ills plaguing this great country of ours, Kenya, then Benta is the movie to watch.

BENTA

SIX SHOWS ONLY.
18TH and 19TH AUGUST:

ALLIANCE FRANCAISE.

10:00 AM 3:00 PM 6:00 PM

CHARGES--- ADULTS 300/=.STUDENTS:200/=

ADVANCE BOOKING HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Similarities and differences between April 22 Trackers gig and August 11 Ueta gig:-)

2007-08-11T23:01:00.000-07:00

Similarities:
1)At both gigs, the first songs played were by my favourite bands!Trackers gig, Murphy's Flaw played Otherside by RHCP. Ueta gig, Ueta played 'Meant to live' by Switchfoot! Woooooo! In between us helping Ueta sing the song, Mercy said to me that she was seeing the music video in her mind's eye. You know, the walls falling down etc. People. Bands. That's the power of a good music video. Not only are videos good for promoting your songs, they also ensure that you stay in Mercy's - I mean people's - mind long afterthe establishment has stopped playing your songs on the radio:-) (Or way before the establishment realises that they need to be playing your songs on the radio!)

2)LAST YEAR'S TRAGEDY!!!:- ))))))))

3) Girl power! Tracker's gig. Murphy's Flaw. Girl power! Ueta gig. UPSTREAM! Wooooooo! They did that beautiful song from "A walk toremember" Love that movie! Love that song! Love Upstream!:-) As Kagure (yet another ROFFEKE founding member) and I were helping Upstream sing the song, Kagure told me she hasn't watched the movie. Kagz, again, GO WATCH THE MOVIE! I highly recommend it:-)

Differences
1)Metanoia did a hip hop thingy.Wasn't bad actually. They reminded meof Outkast. And I think Outkast have the rock 'n' roll spirit, even if they don't do rock music. 'Hey ya' is pretty close to rock, I think. Very Beatle-esque, don't you think Daudi?;-) But I digress.Loved Metanoia's breakdancing lol!

2)There was CRUNK???! Yes you heard right. Crunk. At first I thought I had misheard the MC (who did a very good job MC-ing by the way) but Mercy assured me that yes, coming up next was Crunk. My spirits sunk.But then this dude does his crunk thing and it is sooo full of energy that it's almost...rock! Almost. But not quite:-) I was glad when wewent back to rock but I must admit that Jesse ALMOST made me like Crunk. Almost. But not quite:-)

3)Then it was time for Moses and Ueta. Or was it Moses and Metanoia? It doesn't really matter cause all I could see was Moses. He has GREAT stage presence and has a lot of fun on stage. Well done Moses.There was a lot of other great stuff. The girl with the AMAZING voice who sang that Evanescence song. The group that rapped, can't remembertheir name. etc etc. We left early, at around 6.30pm so maybe someonewho stayed longer can tell us what happened next?

Tahi (THANK YOU!!!) filmed the gig so those who weren't there, you can watch it on DVD. We will try and screen it at the festival, if things go my way, which for the past few days have not been going my way.Anyway. Thanks Ueta. Thanks Nairobi Baptist. I had a lovely time! I almost didn't come cause, well, I was in a mood.:-)But I'm glad I did!

Veni, Vidi, VENUE!!!

2007-08-09T20:50:00.000-07:00

Finally! ROFFEKE has a venue! Joy! Jubilation!

Venue: Pavement (was also the venue for the launch of Kenyan chapter of Future Shorts)
Day: 16th August 2007 (the 30th death - oh excuse me - "disappearance" anniversary of the King of rock 'n' roll, Elvis Presley.)
Time: From 7pm
Entry fee: Ksh 300

Hope to see you there!

Special thanks to Elijah Kahara and the Kenya Film Commission.

Excerpt from Interview with David Hughens, director of Elvis' Grave

2007-07-25T19:24:00.000-07:00

Mildred Achoch talks with David Hughens about film, music and schizophrenia!

What exactly is your musical background?
I pursued a musical career for about 13 years as a singer/songwriter and guitar player. You can check out the last band I was putting together at what's left of the website: http://www.pureethyl.com/

I checked out your online portfolio. Love the "Kiss meets Cash" poster for Pure Ethyl!

Thanks for the compliment. I was living in Nashville when Johnny died a few years ago and I
had always wanted to try and meet him. I think he would've gotten a big kick out of that picture.

So what's the status of Pure Ethyl? Does the band still exist?

Pure Ethyl died when I left Nashville 3 years ago. After 13 years of pursuing music, I finally got tired of ramming my head against the bloody brick wall.

Have you directed any music videos?

When you watch Elvis' Grave, you will see that there are several "music videos" within the film, so I guess I have directed music videos.

Do you think it's easier/better to start out as a feature/shorts film director then go on to directing music videos or vice versa?

I think shooting shorts or music videos is the way to start. They cost less money and take less time and they tend to be more experimental (forgiving in their adherence to a strict set of rules), unlike a feature length narrative. Plus, it is easier to find a band that wants a video and is willing to pay for some of the cost while giving you a chance to play around with your style. My big thing is I believe you should always tell a story, so the idea or script is king. It must be absolutely rock solid. The script is the most important part. It is like the foundation of a house or the drummer in a rock band -- without which, you don't have diddle. There are so many films that are style over substance and I don't really care for them. Give me a good story every time. So, make sure you tell your audience a story every time you shoot, whether it is a music video or a feature.

Part of your bio reads: “David was only the second person to make a homegrown feature film in Alabama, and at the age of 22, the youngest to do so.” Has this situation changed in your hometown?

The number of filmmakers in Birmingham has grown in leaps and bounds since I shot my film in 1989. And I believe it is directly related to the Sidewalk Film Festival --
http://www.sidewalkfest.com/. I wish it had been around back when I was starting out. The guy running the festival called Elvis' Grave the Grandfather of independent films in Birmingham. High praise for little ol' me.

How would you describe yourself?

I often tell people I'm schizophrenic -- I'm not really, but I do have many sides to my personality. That way, "we" are never alone -- always someone to talk to! I feel like it is really good for "creative" types to be this way, because it gives you a lot to draw from. If you have many different interests, you are more likely to experience many different things.

Afro Punk Various Artists / CD / 2006

2007-06-30T16:23:00.000-07:00

Not only did Mathew Morgan - Afro-Punk Director James Spooner's business partner - give us permission to screen Afro-Punk, for a very minimal (almost free!) fee, he also gave us a copy of the Afro-Punk compilation CD.

(Review from logoonline.com)

"Afro Punk may be misnamed as a compilation, but it contains utterly great music. In fact, the tunes here range from the new punk-metal (the opener "Protoculture (Sankofa)" by Cipher), to hardcore ("Kémite (Kahi)" by D-Fe), to melodic punk ("Are You Still Working at That Café?" by Yaphet Kotto, not the actor) to new wave futurism ("Space Dancehall" by Eternals) to emo ("Dance in Blood and Pretend It's Snow" by Fitts and "Boot" by Tamar-Kali) to post-punk and garage rock (" Not Ready" by Slack Republic). And there's much more here in this dizzying, dazzling sampler. This is a compelling and utterly engaging listening experience form front to back, especially for those punters who have the "shuffle" option on the sound box. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide

Not forgetting folk punk ("Loose lips" by Kimya Dawson) I didn't even know folk punk existed!

1. “Protoculture (Sankofa)” by Cipher

What sardony.

This alien bitterness I'm fed. Deuteronomy Chapter 5, Verse

10, "I bestow mercy down to the thousandth generation, on

the children of those who love me and keep my

commandments.” They round them all up. They ordered us

dead 100 thousand, thousand men, women, and children.

Shackled like chattel. Beat 'til we bled. And they all said

so if you wanna burn yourself remember that I LOVE YOU

and if you wanna cut yourself remember that I LOVE YOU

and if you wanna kill yourself remember that I LOVE YOU

call me up before you’re dead, we can make some plans instead

send me an IM, i'll be your friend

16. “Loose Lips” by Kimya Dawson

3. “Are You Still Working At That Café?” by Yaphet Kotto

(they'll never take us all alive;

i work too hard to deal with this shit)

subversive living leaving scars

citizens are tearing a part of you;

this wasn't in the job description

Girls Rock!

2007-04-28T16:47:00.000-07:00

This was posted by Shiku on the Women and rock forum. Shiku is studying Sociology and Psychology at Kenyatta University. We're working on a "Sociology of Rock" project. :-)She is a ROFFEKE founding member and a member of both Kenya Rocks and Kenya Punk. But most importantly, we are both members of the goth club of Kenya - the home of Kenyan 'weirdoes'.:-)

It was very weird the way this happened. I knew about the rock 'n' roll camp for girls and I had made a note to contact them regarding movies about girls/women and rock. But with my hectic schedule, this kept being moved further and further down my to-do list until it was forgotten. So I was very pleasantly surprised when I read Shiku's post on the Women and rock forum! Thanks Shiku!

'Hey, here's film about a rock and roll camp for girls. i quote form the website."The finished movie focuses on Laura, an articulate Korean adoptee obsessed with death metal; Misty, who is emerging from a life of meth-addiction, homelessness and gang activity; Palace, a sweet-seeming 8-year-old with a heavy metal sneer, and Amelia, who's writing a 14-song cycle about her dog Pippi. Forming bands, writing songs and playing a gig in one week, these girls and the rest of the camp engage in an experiment in empowerment that will leave no-one unchanged."

I haven't watched it yet tho i'd love to!here's the link.

http://www.girlsrockmovie.com/Flashsite/launch.html'

My top ten moments at the Sunday 22nd April Trackers gig

2007-04-23T07:45:00.000-07:00

1.Murphy's Flaw: They opened with a not-so-flawless but still recognizable version of "Otherside" by RHCP. I love RHCP so personally, I thought it was a good way to start the show.
2.Murphy's Flaw: Did a Swahili rock song! It can be done!:-)
3.Murphy's Flaw: I noticed that with the exception of the lead singer, all the other band members were chicks. Girl power!
4.UTANOIA!: That's what someone labeled the band merger between Metanoia and Ueta. Brilliant stuff. I was very impressed.
5.LAST YEAR'S TRAGEDY!
6.LAST YEAR'S TRAGEDY!
7.LAST YEAR'S TRAGEDY!
8.LAST YEAR'S TRAGEDY!
9.Who's the lead singer of Navarone? He has very pretty hair:-)
10.LAST YEAR�S TRAGEDY!

At the show, I finally met Paul Maina – popularly known as mambono – another founding member of ROFFEKE, and a member of Kenya Rocks. Paul has been with Kenya Rocks since the very beginning when there were only about 10 members. Now we are over 70 members.

During those early days, I remember asking him whether he was a Bono fanatic like me since the latter half of his username is “bono”. No he’s not a bono fanatic. He is more of an Oasis fan. Though he was so moved by the video for “The saints are coming” (U2+Greenday) that he wrote a wonderful review of it.

April Fool?

2007-04-03T05:14:00.000-07:00

Four months to go...

Sunday was the first of April. And on Sunday I received my very first positive reply from a filmmaker. So I can be forgiven for thinking that Mr. David Hughens , the writer and director of Elvis' Grave , was making an April fool out of me.

It was too good to be true. And so I sent a reply, half-expecting that I would never hear from Mr. Hughens ever again. But surprise, surprise! I am not an April fool!

Indie rocks!

2007-03-31T10:20:00.000-07:00

It's time to change strategies. Clearly, I'm getting nowhere fast, chasing after "the establishment". It's time to approach independent filmmakers.

Afro-Punk?!

2007-03-20T12:37:00.000-07:00

A documentary about African-American punks?! I never would have guessed! Thanks to Jack Abok - the guy who introduced me to Nirvana, the guy who came up with the name Kenya Rocks - I am now aware of the Afro-punk movie/movement.

Bomb Blast Park meeting

2007-03-10T18:03:00.000-08:00

I HATE meetings! But this particular meeting wasn't so bad because of:

1) The Place. The meeting took place at the August 7th Memorial Park: "The gentle undulating hillocks and well-tended lawns lend their charm to the Memorial Park as do the two little sitting areas, made up entirely of thick vines. A fountain bubbles in the centre of the park." Looking around, you wouldn't guess that back in 1998, it was the location of the U.S Embassy and the site of the horrible terrorist attack which killed more than 200 people. "A sculpture made up of debris from the blast dominates one side of the park - striking and poignant at the same time."

2)The People. It was great meeting the founding members of ROFFEKE: Josephine - architect, bass player for Murphy's Flaw and designer of ROFFEKE'S logo; Shiku. And Michael Kaburu, who I must admit was the mastermind behind the meeting (too many M's in that sentence?:-) Mike is an accountant. Gulp. I respect anyone who chooses to study accounts WILLINGLY.:-) When he's not playing with numbers, Mike plays guitar for "Edge of Reason". Like me, Mike is a big fan of Christian rock.

Thanks Mike!

FRUSTRATION!

2007-03-09T10:13:00.000-08:00

Excerpt from the message I posted on Kenya Punk

"....Right now I'm busy chasing after American companies, asking for their permission to screen their films. A very frustrating exercise...."

Jozie's logo

2006-11-07T11:04:00.000-08:00

"Friendship, fun, freedom" is ROFFEKE's motto. I think my idea for the film festival logo is a bit militant. Oh ok, a lot militant:-) I think Jozie's logo idea is much better than mine, more in line with ROFFEKE's motto.

Thanks a million Got Jenn!

2006-10-21T02:52:00.000-07:00

Got Jenn really helped me out by sending me a link that contained almost everything I needed to know about organizing a film festival (http://www.bfi.org.uk/filmtvinfo/publications/practical/howto/started.html)
She’s saved me a lot of research time so I can now move on to the next stage of the planning process.

Thanks a million Got Jenn!

Ronnie Mutuma's logo!

2006-10-10T10:48:00.000-07:00

Thanks Ronnie for your logo!

Maasai shield and two crisscrossing electric guitars?

2006-10-09T11:40:00.000-07:00

Message posted on Kenya Rocks

So here's a new idea for the logo: On the Kenyan flag there is a Maasai shield and two crisscrossing spears which represents the defense of freedom. How about instead of the spears, there are two crisscrossing electric guitars?:-) It will be like saying 'The Kenyan rock fans defend their freedom to listen to rock by using rock as a weapon':-)

Again, I'm no artist so I don't even know if it is possible to produce this idea on paper but I leave it to the artists of Kenya Rocks to prove me wrong...or right:-)

Logo for rock film festival

2006-09-12T15:35:00.000-07:00

Message I posted on Kenya Rocks:

Calling all those who, unlike me, are NOT artistically challenged:-) A logo is needed for the rock film festival. Think "Kenya" , "Film" and "Rock 'n' roll" Post your ideas on the group and the members will vote on the best logo.