Film Review: Joy’s Garden

Short films are an interesting genre. Giving you a vignette of life in a way a full-length film might quickly gloss over. The Kenyan short film industry is alive and well, with events like Shorts, Shorts and Shots by DocuBox screening award winning films from across Africa. The Kalasha  award winning Joy’s Garden, written and directed by Ngwatilo Maawiyo will be a great addition to that roster. Tackling the role of father’s in a non-stereotypical fashion, the film gives an alternative twist to the “baby daddy” theme popular in contemporary films.

The film centers around a fathe -daughter relationship Edwin aka Edu and daughter Joy. Following her mother’s death, Edu is suddenly thrust into the role of caregiver to a grieving child he clearly was not in contact with prior. More concerned with his football team and whiskey, Edu now has to grapple with understanding what plants mean to his seven year old. In the process, he stumbles but ultimately finds a way to make room for Joy’s Garden in his world. Beautifully rendered, Marvin Alusa does well as a frustrated bachelor dad and Torah Nato is clearly a star on the rise. Catch it at Unseen Nairobi: June 23^rd, June 30^thon Thursday 23rd –

7.30PM & 8PM, Thursday 30th – 7.30PM & 8PM.