Nairobi Half Life is a Kenyan film directed by David "Tosh" Gitonga. It was released in 2012 and received critical acclaim as well as several awards. The movie explores the challenges faced by aspiring actors in Kenya and the harsh realities of urban life in Nairobi.
Mwas, played by Joseph Wairimu, is a young man from a village in the outskirts of Kenya. He dreams of becoming an actor and decides to leave his home and travel to Nairobi to pursue his dream. However, upon arrival, he quickly realizes that life in the big city is not as glamorous as he thought it would be. He is robbed of all his money and belongings and left stranded in the city.
With nowhere to go, Mwas meets a small-time crook named Oti, played by Olwenya Maina. Oti takes pity on him and offers him a place to stay. Mwas is grateful for the help and soon begins to immerse himself into the world of crime, working with Oti and his gang to make ends meet.
As Mwas gets deeper into Oti's world, he starts to lose sight of his dream of becoming an actor. He struggles to balance his aspirations with his newfound criminal life, which becomes more dangerous as time goes by. He falls in love with a struggling actress, Amina, played by Nancy Wanjiku Karanja, and is torn between his love for her and his loyalty to Oti.
Nairobi Half Life delves deep into the societal problems faced by people living in Nairobi, such as poverty, crime, and corruption. The film highlights the stark contrast between people's dreams and the harsh realities of life in the city. The story is told with humor, wit, and heart, and is a must-watch for anyone interested in African cinema.
