Our Land, Our Freedom

by Meena Nanji, Zippy Kimundu
  • 2023 Muiraquitã Filmes | Twende Pictures | Autentika Films
  • 2023 Muiraquitã Filmes | Twende Pictures | Autentika Films
  • 2023 Muiraquitã Filmes | Twende Pictures | Autentika Films
  • 2023 Muiraquitã Filmes | Twende Pictures | Autentika Films
  • 2023 Muiraquitã Filmes | Twende Pictures | Autentika Films

    Synopsis

    Wanjugu Kimathi is the daughter of Dedan Kimathi, legendary leader of the Kenyan Land and Freedom Army, or Mau Mau. This resistance group fought the British colonial regime from 1952 to 1960 to stop it from confiscating land, a conflict known as the Mau Mau Rebellion. In 1957, the British authorities hanged Dedan for possession of firearms, and then dumped his body at an unknown location.
    Dedan’s daughter Wanjugu follows in her mother’s footsteps and continues the search for his remains. Along the way, she meets Mau Mau veterans, families of others who lost their land, and inspiring activists. She also discovers new atrocities and mass graves that the British would rather have remained secret.
    While carrying on her day job as a receptionist at an airport, Wanjugu attracted huge numbers of followers and she now poses a threat to the businesses and prominent political figures who are today still profiting from the policies of the former British regime. TESTAMENT [WT] is her story, a painful but also hopeful chapter in postcolonial history. [36 IDFA]

    Festivals

    2023
    36 IDFA – Frontlight, Amsterdam
    2024
    FIFDH Genève
    Special Mention – Movies that Matter Festival, #MtM
    HUMAN – IDFF Oslo
    39 DOK.fest Munich
    21 Millenium Docs Against Gravity
    DocsBarcelona
    31 Sheffield DocFest
    21 Africa FF Cologne

    Cast and Crew

    Director

    Meena Nanji, Zippy Kimundu

    Producer

    Eliane Ferreira (Muiraquitã Filmes), Meena Nanji (Twende Pictures), Zippy Kimundu (Afrofilms International Ltd), Gudula Meinzolt (Autentika Films)

    Sound

    Willis Abuto, John Paul Gichengo

    Editor

    Jordana Berg, Franki Ashiruka

    DoP

    Steve Ruiyi, Dru Mungai