Mvera (2023) Movie Script
Long ago, during the beginning
of life in our community.
It was a good time of
miracles and happiness.
But when the colonialists came.
Things changed, especially our traditions.
They oppressed and humiliated us.
That's when our gods sent us a warrior.
A child was born.
The child was the saviour of the Mijikenda.
Her name was Mekatilili.
She stood tall to defend us.
She fought the colonialists and restored
our dignity as residents of the Coast.
The gods predicted that if the Mijikenda
were oppressed again.
Then the spirit of this
warrior would return.
When the time is ripe,
Mekatilili will return.
Is it true she existed?
Who?
Mnyanzi
Mekatilili wa Menza.
Did she exist or is it just a story?
What do you think?
It's a good story.
Does it mean you don't believe?
Grandma, look at the
place we are living in.
For how long have the people of
this village been living in poverty?
Where has Mekatilili been all this time?
Life is just like the wise people say.
Every man for himself.
And as Mvera, I will save myself.
I won't sit and wait for a saviour
that is never coming.
I hope you are not planning to leave
with your friends tomorrow.
I shouldn't find you near that group.
Grandma, look at this.
This is Talia, she is already in Germany.
She left with the last group.
She already has a job.
Grandma, don't you want me to get lucky?
Didn't you pass your exams?
Your calling letter to join
College is already here.
Don't you want to study and
become a doctor anymore?
Where will the college fees come from?
The government offers scholarships.
Grandma, let me go.
At least there are good jobs that pay well.
You won't go anywhere!
I have said it already!
- Grandma
- No! I don't want to hear anything.
Your mother left fifteen years ago and
she never came back.
She even stopped sending letters.
You now want to quit your studies and
do the same thing.
Maybe I will find her if I go.
Where will you start?
Nevertheless,
I don't want to spend my entire life here.
Get married, sell baskets at the market,
die and be forgotten.
(Chuckles)
So you don't want to be like me, right?
I didn't say that.
My granddaughter, go to school and study.
You got a great opportunity to be admitted
to the University of Nairobi.
Not many people get such chances.
If it's about the job, it
will come at the right time.
You don't have to do
what your friends are doing.
Don't rush things.
Please, I beg you my granddaughter.
Please.
Okay grandma.
I have heard you.
Mvera
I have been looking
for you since yesterday.
Are you travelling?
What about our relationship?
Does it mean everything about us
was a joke to you?
I already told you.
I'm not interested in marriage or any
kind of relationship.
Would you have left without informing me?
Without saying goodbye?
Goodbye Mangi.
Mvera, can't you even say hi?
She is the learned type.
(Traditional music)
My name! I'm going abroad!
Isn't your name there?
Are you sure you registered?
We registered together.
I don't understand.
Don't worry.
Mvera you are lucky you passed your exams
and you have a chance of becoming a doctor.
What would I do?
Let me go and make a living.
(Traditional music)
(Indistinct chatters)
- Ladies ayee!
- (Unison) Ayee
- Ladies oyaa
- (Unison) oyaa
- Men ohoo
- (Unison) Ohoo
Now, as you know.
Every year, Thabiti Foods Company.
Takes our youths abroad so they can find
jobs and make a living.
(Clapping and cheering)
As you can see this year, I have chosen
twelve youths to take part in this exercise.
(Cheering)
To those who were selected.
We wish you all the best in your journey.
(Clapping)
(Spits)
To those who were successful, don't forget
those you left back at home.
- Very true
- (Cheering)
I have the letters of
those selected to travel.
If you hear your name.
Come get your letter and
start your journey abroad.
(Cheering)
Okay. Ramadhan Omar
- (Cheering and singing)
- Patrick Kaviha
Mvera!
Mvera!
Mve...
(Somber music)
I'm sorry grandma,
but there's no life here.
Let me go and hustle like my friends.
I will send you money and come for you
when I find my mom.
All the best, Mvera.
Mom, I'm really happy. Last time I registered
but I didn't get a chance. Now I did.
Thank you.
Saumu, I wish you all the best. Goodbye.
Don't forget about us.
Remember your father is sick
And your siblings need school fees
- Okay?
- Okay
Okay
Tell dad I will call him any
time I get the opportunity.
Okay safe journey my dear.
- Take care as well.
- Okay. Thank you.
Okay
Mvera, see me off.
I don't understand. What criteria was used
in the selection?
Saumu! We are eventually leaving.
- Chiriku!
- We will board an aeroplane.
Mvera, please keep an eye on my Mramba.
Because I have been seeing him with Maria.
If you hear anything, let me know.
Is it okay Mvera?
Come on, you can't watch a man. We will
get other men abroad.
We will also build houses and buy big cars.
Let's go Mvera.
Aah! Mvera
May the work of your hands be blessed.
Thank you Mvera.
- (Sighs)
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
- (Chuckles)
Father! Mother!
(Chuckling)
Mother why are you sad?
I'm not greedy for money,
I'm worried about you.
I will be fine mother. I'll be sending
you money at the end of every month.
Mmmh?
I will also build a brick
house for you. Okay?
But don't forget that the Mwarandus have
already paid your dowry.
- You have started it father.
- What dowry?
You ate all the dowry alone.
I didn't get even a shilling.
- You are very greedy!
- But she has decided to go abroad.
My child, go and get money so I can pay
them back. Please.
Okay father.
- Okay my child. Safe journey.
- Okay mom.
Be careful with your letter as
it will be required at the bus.
It is safely here mom.
- (Zip opening)
- Aah!
My letter! Someone has
stolen my letter. Let me see.
(Crying) Let me see!
My letter!
(Crying) Let me see. Let me have a look.
(Crying)
(Crying) My letter
Mvera
- (Crying)
- Hey you!
(Crying)
Did you find it?
- Did you find it?
- Not yet
(Crying)
Even if she lost her
passport, isn't her name here?
(Crying). Yeah search for Kadzo Dalu.
Kadzo is already in.
Which Kadzo yet she is Kadzo?
I'm Kadzo!
Do you have an ID or
passport so I can confirm?
My passport was together with my letter. I left
my ID at home. I didn't know it would be needed.
You are joking!
(Crying)
Listen, there's no need to lie. You
will try your luck again next year. Okay?
Don't deny my child a
chance to have a good life.
- (Crying) I was selected
- Don't deny her.
(Crying) I was selected! I was selected!
- I was selected!
- Sally! Wait! My wife!
- I was selected!
- Sally
- Sally! Sally!
- (Crying)
Sally! Sally my wife!
You have left me with a baby my wife!
Sorry, Mr. Thabiti is very wealthy and we
wouldn't want people to know where he lives.
It's just a picture.
Even a picture can be used to track where
someone lives.
Excuse me, if you have a
phone please give it to me.
You will get them before you travel abroad.
Your phones please.
(Singing vernacular) He who travels bids goodbye. Stay safe
we are leaving. We are going home to see the white folks.
He who travels bids goodbye. Stay safe we are
leaving. We are going home to see the white folks.
He who travels bids goodbye. Stay safe we are
leaving. We are going home to see the white folks.
He who travels bids goodbye. Stay safe we are
leaving. We are going home to see the white folks.
We are going home to see the white folks.
We are going home to see the white folks.
Mvera, how did you get here?
A last minute chance popped up.
For sixteen years
My company has been taking youths like you
abroad to fulfil their dreams.
I also went there when I was your age.
And I'm hoping that you will help
your fellow youths when you come back.
(Clapping)
We have to apply for your travel
documents before you leave.
Such as visa and work permit.
That will take one week.
One week? But you told us
we would board the plane today.
A plane is not a bus.
We have to confirm that all your documents
are in order.
So the first thing we will
need are your passports.
Thank you very much.
Secondly
We will have to conduct a
medical test on each of you.
You will be taken to the doctor then
you will be led to the sleeping quarters.
A doctor?
Don't worry.
Everything is fine. Mmmh
For the time that you will be in my house.
If you need anything.
It will be given to you.
(Clapping)
Okay follow me.
(Music playing)
This is your room.
The washrooms are over there.
I expect you to always keep them clean.
Dinner will be ready at 7:00 pm.
So be on time because
Mr. Thabiti doesn't like waiting.
What about our phones?
Mr. Thabiti is a very wealthy man.
He has a lot of property and we wouldn't
want anyone to know where he lives.
I would like to call my mom so I can
tell her that we will leave next week.
I would also like to check on my father
as I left him sick.
Don't worry about that.
Mr. Thabiti will talk to
your families on your behalf.
I would like to talk to Mr. Thabiti. I
have a question I would like to ask him.
Mr. Thabiti has a lot to do at the moment.
Who will watch Mramba for
me now that Mvera is here?
He could be with Maria as we speak.
My goodness! Who has a phone?
You mean you are crying over love while
some people left young babies back at home.
People value money more than their blood.
You think you're an angel?
Have you forgotten what you did to Kadzo?
Kadzo?
Mvera, what did you do to Kadzo?
I hope you are ready.
Why did you lock us in here?
Mr. Thabiti has welcomed so many youths
who stole from him in his house.
We felt it's better if you are in the same
place every time.
Mr. Thabiti is waiting for you.
Mmmh. Welcome. Welcome.
Welcome once more.
Feel at home.
Everything that is on this
table comes from our farm.
I want all of you to get
abroad very healthy.
Welcome
- Thank you very much.
- Welcome
I have a question.
(Sighs) Ask
Uumm
Can I go here as well?
Can I go to New York?
Who is that?
My mother
She went abroad when I was very young.
This is the last photo she sent.
These are all her letters.
My grandma says she hasn't heard from her
for a very long time.
I know you are a prominent
person in the village.
And you are a very busy man.
But it's my wish that you will take
me abroad so I can look for my mother.
(Sighs)
That's a very scary story.
If I may ask, how did
she manage to go abroad?
Do you know?
No
My grandma says she does not understand.
She says she got help from
a person she doesn't know.
Okay give it to me. I will work on it.
I have a few contacts in New York.
Really?
Thank you very much. Thank you.
Welcome. Enjoy your food it's getting cold.
(Music)
What is this?
One of the girls is looking for her mother.
What? How's that possible?
What are the rules old man?
We said we don't take people from the
same family.
What part about that don't you understand?
I assure you I tried getting people from different
families. I don't know how this happened.
(Sighs)
Make sure it doesn't become a problem.
Mvera ran away without informing
me. I wouldn't have let her go.
- Why is that?
- How is Bahati doing?
It's been three years since she left and she has not
communicated. I don't know why she is doing that.
Maybe she got a lot of
money that blinded her.
Why do you want Nuru to go as well?
Everyone has their own luck. She
might remember us when she gets there.
Mama Bahati, can't you see there's a problem if
Bahati hasn't communicated with you since she left?
Maybe Nuru will remember us and help look for
her sister so we can find out what's going on.
Listen Mama Bahati.
Tell Nuru not to go until we find out where
Bahati is.
One case of HPV and one case of HIV.
(Bangs files)
I thought the screening was done before the
application process.
What happened?
A lot of new infections
occur in adolescents.
Between the ages of ten and nineteen.
It's always a gamble with these kids.
A more thorough screening needs to
be done before the application process.
Otherwise this entire process goes to shit.
Relax
How can I relax?
- One of the girls is here looking for her mother.
- What?
And the stupid old man has
absolutely no idea how she got in.
- Well you can't let her go now.
- Obviously.
So what are you gonna do?
She has to be the last one to leave.
Just in case someone comes looking for her.
Relax
Relax baby
We are almost done. Everything is gonna
be just fine
Relax
(Kisses)
(Chuckles)
She is not okay. She
must have been bewitched.
(Crying)
Who will take care of the
baby she left in the village?
Mvera you know the state of our village.
Would it have been better if she
stayed behind and they all suffered?
Maybe
So she will be raised by her drinking dad
in the village.
Wondering why her mother didn't love her.
(Whimpering)
Mother!
(Panting)
Don't worry mother.
That was just a bad
dream. Go back to sleep.
What are you doing here?
Oh you were screaming mother.
I'm fine.
One day, you will start walking again.
Immediately I get enough money, I
will take you abroad to treat your legs.
For how many years
have you said these words?
I'm doing everything for you.
If you had killed the monster
earlier, I wouldn't be in this condition.
You are the cause of all this!
Useless!
Go back to sleep.
(Humming)
I hope you slept well.
Where is Chiriku? Because it looks like no one
slept in her bed as there are no bedsheets.
Your friend went back home.
She said she wanted to get married.
And if there's no other question, I would like to give
you today's program me as well as for the whole week.
First you will get breakfast.
Then you will dress up for a photo
shoot so we can process your visas.
After that you will work out.
Mr. Thabiti wants you to
be healthy when you travel.
At what time did Leila leave?
Her visa came and she
left at 2:00am in the night.
When will our visas come
because it's already one week?
Very soon. Breakfast is ready.
What time did your friends leave?
They left at night. Their
visas came so they left.
Did you hear them leave?
I would like to talk to Mr. Thabiti.
Mr. Thabiti is a very busy man.
Why aren't you eating?
I made a mistake.
I made a mistake.
I want to go back home.
- But your visa is almost here.
- (Shouting) I want to see my baby!
(Crying) My baby! I want to see my baby.
(Crying) I want to see my baby.
(Crying)
Smile.
(Camera clicks)
Next.
Why are they taking so many pictures?
Mr. Thabiti is making
a work portfolio for you.
And why are our visas
taking longer than the rest?
Everyone is going to a different place.
- Some are going to London while others are going to..
- Mr. Thabiti promised that I would go to America.
New York to be precise.
(Camera clicks)
If that's what he told
you, then you will go there.
I would like to talk to him.
Mr. Thabiti is very busy.
We haven't seen him in so many days now.
When will he get a chance?
I have told you that
Mr. Thabiti is very busy.
(Camera clicks)
Sally
Where did they take you?
Dr. Kraft told me that I
would go home today.
I'm going to see my baby.
Mvera
Where are you going?
Washroom. I'm going to the washroom.
- Okay, let's go.
- Do you have to accompany me?
Where is she going?
There's no toilet paper.
That's not possible. We
put three rolls everyday.
There's no toilet paper here.
Or do you want me to use the hand towel?
Let me come and check.
You made a mistake in yesterday's dose!
We used the amount as
instructed by the doctor.
How then did one of them
manage to wake up? Mmmh?
You almost ruined everything!
My apologies boss, but we put
the dose as the doctor instructed.
Make sure you increase the dosage today.
Mvera
Mvera
Mvera has disappeared.
I have looked everywhere
for her but I didn't find her.
Mvera is right there.
Seven and eight. Okay get down
When did she come back?
Not long ago. Like ten minutes back.
Our children and grandchildren have
been going abroad for fifteen years now.
Let me ask you, who amongst you has spoken
to them in these years?
(Unison) No one
Mine has been away for seven years and she
no longer sends letters
(Worried mutters)
What about my Bahati?
It's been three years now
and she hasn't sent a letter.
When my daughter disappeared,
I went to the elders so they
could help me look for her.
Yes
They took me in circles.
Eventually they gave me a letter from my daughter saying
she would never come back as she has started life abroad.
(Indistinct chatters)
Calm down.
How come none of them
came back? That's not possible
(Indistinct chatters)
What about Thabiti?
Why doesn't he come himself to get the
youths but instead hides behind the elders?
(Indistinct chatters)
Listen carefully, we shouldn't take our children
abroad until we know where the others are.
(Agree in unison)
Even if it's on video, they should
show us where our children are.
(Indistinct chatters)
(Screaming)
(Screaming) Fire! Fire!
(Coughing)
(Metal clanking)
Saumu! Saumu! Saumu!
Saumu! Saumu! Saumu!
(Protests) Our children!
Our children! Our children!
- (Protests) Our children! Our children! Our children!
- Calm down! Calm down! Calm down please
Why are you here this early dear mothers?
We are here because we
want to see our children.
- (Unison) Yes!
- But how?
I want to see my Bahati, I don't want to read
letters. I want to hear my child's voice today.
(Unison) Yes!
Even if it's a video, we
are here so we can watch.
- Yes show us the videos.
- Just calm down.
And even if you threaten us, we
won't leave until we see our children.
Your colleague Thabiti has to come
here and tell us where our children are.
- (Protests) Our children! Our children! Our children!
- Calm down! Calm down! Calm down please.
Take me back to the house.
Thabiti! Take me back to the house.
Watch.
I don't want you to miss anything.
You have already killed
him. Is it hard to burn him?
I have never seen such
a useless child. Idiot.
This is all your fault.
Who told you to leave with
his car without permission?
My marriage has been full
of tribulations because of you.
I wouldn't be cripple.
This is all because of you.
Isn't it beautiful mama?
Excuse me.
The old man is here.
I have seen that smoke for many days
now, are there people who live here?
There are no people who
live here. It's just wild animals
Where is that smoke coming from?
Mr. Thabiti makes
charcoal to sell at the market.
- I told you not to come here.
- There's a problem.
That's why I pay you
The parents back in the village want to see
their kids. Not in pictures and not in letters.
They want to hear their
voices and see their videos.
They also said you should accompany me to the
village or else they will go to the media.
I want us to do something different today.
I want us to make a video of you
sending greetings to your parents.
It would be better if you told them
that you arrived overseas safely.
Why?
Your parents don't understand
the process of travelling.
Especially when it comes to Visas.
If they find out that you are still around,
they will demand you return home.
Is there anyone who wants
to go back home? Mmmh?
We found your mother.
She moved from New
York and lives in Texas now.
If you go back home, you will
miss the chance of seeing her again
Will you take me to her?
Your tickets and visas are ready, you will
be in the states the day after tomorrow.
Greetings mother, I hope
everyone is fine back at home.
I arrived in California safely.
Mr. Thabiti got me a job in
a film production company.
I will make arrangements to come
back home when I get enough money.
Send my greetings to dad and tell him I will
soon send him money to go to the hospital.
Thank you.
I'm grateful that my daughter
Saumu got a job abroad.
My apologies grandma for leaving abruptly.
I knew you wouldn't let me come if I
told you I was looking for my mother.
Just so you know, it's your
story that brought me here.
I know Mekatilili is protecting me
from all the hard times I'm going through.
What about my Bahati?
We said we want videos not pictures.
(Indistinct chatters)
We didn't manage.
To get videos of all your children.
Some moved from the countries we had
taken them. We are still looking for them.
In the meantime, I will
help you where I can.
I know your children are your breadwinners.
I'm here to take care of your
expenses until we find them.
I promise you that we will find them.
(Singing)
(Indistinct chatters)
(Singing)
- Thabiti hoyee
- Hoyee
We are leaving eventually.
Mr. Thabiti said I would
go to California, Hollywood.
Maybe I will meet Brad Pit and become
a movie star like him. What do you think?
Mvera!
All that is lies.
There's no visa or tickets to go abroad.
I don't understand you.
They are planning to kill us.
Kill us?
They took Sally last night.
She didn't feel a thing while
they got her from the bed.
She was like a dead person. I
followed them to the doctor's room.
They had containers to
store human body parts.
- What are you saying?
- These people are evil.
We are in danger.
That's not possible. Mr. Thabiti has been
helping our village for many years now.
Ask yourself why we are
being locked up all the time.
Ask yourself why they took our phones.
Ask yourself why our friends are getting visas at
night and leaving abruptly without even saying goodbye.
But didn't we see photos of those who went
abroad before us?
They were abroad all of them.
We also took a lot of photos.
Do you know what they are doing with them?
- Meaning Chiriku...
- Calm down.
Saumu! Calm down! Calm down!
Calm down! Calm down!
It will be our end if they realise we know.
We have to plan wisely. Calm down.
We will close down the
scholarship program me.
And start an orphanage.
Bigger supply and the children will be ours and
no one will care to ask about their whereabouts.
And we will have years to develop
pure breeds for better harvest.
You are staying?
What about your mother's spinal
treatment hey? How about that?
She has just been doing
fine with her legs, hasn't she?
This is Mr. Patrick.
He was a very close friend of your
father. He has come to take you abroad.
So he can get you a job.
Your father is dead so
you are the remaining man.
So you need to man up
and take care of this family.
- What about school?
- Do you have money to pay school fees?
You will leave with Patrick
at the end of this month.
Where is he taking me?
To the United States.
What work will I do there?
We will find you something
to do once we get there.
America is a land of many opportunities.
Don't forget.
I'm cripple because of you.
(Sniffs)
Stop being stupid. Swallow it fast!
You will face it rough
if that plane leaves us!
Swallow!
Even with the orphanage people are
still gonna ask questions eventually.
(Chuckles)
Not if I'm the Governor.
What are you talking about?
(Chuckles)
These people are desperate.
They will vote for anyone who
throws a coin in their direction.
You should have seen them
today screaming my name.
(Chuckles)
They will thank me of course.
You see, we live in a society
where the majority suffer.
For the few to thrive.
What if it's the other way round?
Slaughter one chicken
to feed an entire family.
It's short.
Even if we succeed getting out how will
we leave without the guards seeing us?
There's security everywhere.
There's one way.
We will eat the food.
We eat the poison?
They will know there's
a problem if we don't eat.
We will get our chance
when we get back to the room.
(Coughing)
- She doesn't have a phone.
- What will we do?
One of us can leave without being
noticed if she puts on this dress.
Then go and look for help.
Who would that be because
I won't remain behind.
You have an injured
leg so you won't get far.
- I'm fine.
- You can't run.
We need someone who
will get us help really fast.
As usual you are just
thinking about yourself Mvera.
I will bring help.
We will get caught if we leave together.
What if they come before you get back?
They will slaughter me like a chicken!
They took Sally at 2:00am last night.
We have four hours. That's
enough to get the Police.
The Police?
We are in the middle of the forest Mvera, and
there are wild animals have you forgotten?
Ouch!
You!
- You will die if you scream. Do you hear me?
- (Mutters)
I will insert this shoe in
your ear if you try to scream.
Which village is near this house?
How do you get home?
- Speak!
- I live here.
We all live here.
Where is your home?
You must leave once in a
while to check on your family.
I don't have a family.
Mr. Thabiti is my family.
How do we escape from here?
Speak or you will be dead!
I will still be dead if you escape.
(Breathes heavily)
(Laughing)
We will go together.
You won't leave me here.
We already decided.
Am I supposed to trust you?
You won't come back if you leave.
We are running out of time Saumu.
When did you find out
that the food was poisoned?
And you let me, Sally
and the rest to eat it.
I had no choice.
We would never know what
was happening without that.
If it wasn't Sally that night,
they would have taken me.
We are leaving together
(Screaming)
(Sighs)
Are you done?
Get out! Hurry up!
Walk! Let's go
Walk!
Hurry up
Walk! Hurry up!
Let's go! Open!
Don't waste my time! Open!
Please don't kill me, I have kids.
Hurry up if you want to see them again.
Put her inside very fast.
Hurry up
Let's go! Walk!
Walk!
If you scream or do something
to tell them that I'm here.
I will finish you off.
Let's go.
Let me get you some clothes.
Why are you leaving early today?
I'm asking, why you
are leaving early today?
This is the last package, they
want to finish early so they can leave.
Why didn't Mr. Thabiti inform
us that you will be leaving early?
I don't know about that.
But if you want to go and
wake him up, it's up to you.
Let him pass
Hey! Wait! Wait!
Let's go! Let's go!
Hallo
Aaah!
What time?
How many?
Okay. I'm working on it right away.
Keep your eyes on the road!
What will you tell the clients?
I hear the girls have escaped.
Mother, you are supposed to be in bed.
How did they escape?
I'm working on it
Can't you do anything correctly?
Do you need your hands held all the time?
Go back to bed!
(Phone ringing)
- Hallo
- Grandma
- It's me, Mvera
- Mvera!
They are following us grandma! I
don't know whether we will make it.
Where are you and who is following you?
Mr. Thabiti. He locked us in his house.
Everyone is dead grandma!
Where are you?
I have escaped.
I'm here with Saumu,
we are coming back home.
Where do you want me to come?
We have stolen Mr. Thabiti's vehicle.
But he is still looking for us.
Tell everyone. Call the Police.
Tell me exactly where you are right now.
Where are we?
Where are we?
We are approaching Ukunda.
- Where are you?
- Ukunda
I'm heading to Mombasa to look for Police.
Okay. Just call me when
you get there. I will come.
Okay
(Huffs)
It's okay. Leave.
I won't leave you!
We are not far.
They will catch you if you
carry me. Just leave me.
Get up!
Leave me!
You have always wanted to leave me
since you figured out Mr. Thabiti's secret
It's okay now.
It's okay. Leave. I have given
you permission. I won't blame you
- Leave me Mvera! Just go!
- No! Get up!
Leave!
Mvera leave! Nobody will
know the truth if they catch us.
- We will get caught leave! Leave!
- (Whimpers)
(Grunts)
- Where did she go?
- In there.
(Grunts)
We found one.
Okay boss.
Let's just pack up everything
and leave before it's too late.
I'm not leaving.
Babe, those girls have probably
already arrived in town by now.
What do you think will happen when the locals discover
what you have been doing here to their children?
It's one thing to speculate
but to know for certain.
No money in the world
can save you from that.
Look where you are going! Bitch!
Ask her where she is.
They caught up with us.
They have taken Saumu.
Grandma
Have you arrived?
Yes. Where are you so we can meet?
Mvera run! Don't come!
Mvera
Come home as fast as possible
or else your grandma dies.
Talk to anyone and your grandma will die!
Do you understand me?
Mvera tell me you understand me.
I know your voice.
Don't come home Mvera! Help your friends!
I give you two hours to come home
or else there will be a funeral here.
I can see you're ready to meet your
daughter Ayana as you have always wanted.
All our grandchildren have gone abroad and left us alone.
Don't they know it's dangerous leaving old people alone?
(Laughing)
(Screaming)
They found the truck but
one of the girls escaped.
Relax. Come on baby.
We are in the middle of a
crisis here. What are you doing?
Relax baby! Relax!
Relax
Why don't you want me to leave?
- Like I said, I just want you...
- (Grunts)
You should let these people pass.
Where to?
Is the boss aware?
As his mother I'm also a boss.
I have allowed all these
servants to go home.
You are the ones who lazed around and let
those girls escape with Thabiti's vehicle.
We didn't know they were in the vehicle.
It was your duty to know.
What do you think Thabiti is
planning to do to you for that?
Do you think you will
continue working here?
Your fire has already been lit.
What is happening here?
Where are you going?
Don't forget I know
where your families are.
And I have eyes everywhere
and if they don't hear my voice.
At every start of the hour,
your families are dead.
All these years, I have ensured that your
families have enjoyed the fruits of your labor.
If you are okay with them dying.
Well then, leave.
You knew.
We were left with no choice.
Thabiti
You have ruined everything as usual.
Those girls have already reached
the Police station as we speak.
Yet you are very stubborn.
You don't want to leave.
We had to let everybody go so you would
agree to leave.
Let's just go to Italy like we planned.
I'm not going to a Kenyan
prison for you. I'm done.
I'm taking my cut and I'm leaving
right now with or without you.
(Gunshot)
A child was born.
The child had supernatural powers.
The child was a saviour of the Mijikenda.
The child was named Mekatilili.
She stood firm to defend us.
She fought the colonialists to restore
our dignity as the Coastal community.
The gods predicted that if the Mijikenda were to be
oppressed again, then the spirit of this warrior will return.
When time is ripe,
Mekatilili will come back.
Mvera! Mvera! Mvera!
Talk to me.
I found her. She is at
the clinic in the village.
Has she spoken to anyone?
No she hasn't woken up,
she is still unconscious.
Make sure she does not speak to anyone.
How? Everyone from the village
is here waiting to interrogate her.
The dead don't speak.
Don't you want her to be brought back?
Too late for that. Just get rid of her.
Okay
- Saumu! Saumu!
- Mvera
- Mvera, can you see me?
- Saumu
She is awake.
Mvera
Mvera
Saumu is in danger.
Saumu is in danger?
Where is Saumu?
Grandma told us to run away.
Where's my grandma?
- Tell me where my grandma is.
- Calm down Mvera. Calm down.
They..found her in her room...
- They have killed her (Crying)
- Who?
- (Crying)
- Mvera! Mvera!
What are you doing?
Her pressure is high. We have to control it
Keep watch, I will be back.
What is it?
Mvera has said that Saumu is in danger.
Saumu is safe?
I want to talk to her right now. I don't want
letters or pictures. I want to talk to her right now.
Stop worrying mom, Saumu is okay.
Then I would like to talk to Saumu.
Okay wait.
There's no need to be afraid.
I'm aware your father is sick.
Colon cancer is a really dangerous disease.
He needs surgery and chemotherapy.
Twelve maybe eighteen million.
That's money I can get very easily.
Your mother wants to speak to you.
I suppose you would like to
see your father walk again.
I would like you to tell
her that you are abroad.
And everything is okay.
And that you don't have a phone for
now. You are using a friend's phone.
But you will call her when you buy yours.
Okay?
If she asks you about the others.
Tell her they are all fine.
But for Mvera,
She wasn't supposed to be here and when
we tried to take her back home she escaped.
And whatever she is saying
are lies out of jealousy.
Think about your family.
They will get anything they want.
Here
Hallo
- Saumu
- Mother
My daughter
I hope everyone is okay.
We are all fine but I
hear you are in danger.
Danger?
Who told you that?
Mvera said you are in danger.
Mom!
Did you say Mvera? Mvera got there?
Yeah, today in the morning and she said
that you are in danger.
Saumu is in danger!
Saumu!
Mother, I'm fine.
You would know if I was in danger.
Why would Mvera say you are in danger?
Huh!
Mvera sneaked her way here.
When Mr. Thabiti tried bringing her back
She ran away. Maybe she is just jealous
So you are safe?
I'm in the States
I have been silent for a long time because I didn't
have a phone. I'm actually using my friend's phone.
But Mr. Thabiti got me a good job
so I will call you when I buy mine.
What job are you doing my child?
I will call you later, the
owner wants her phone.
-Hello
-I will call you when I buy my phone.
Pass my greetings to father.
But wait, wait!
Aren't you curious...
These elders have been building houses and buying
cars. Where are they getting all this money?
They have their businesses.
Bi. Charo asked questions
and she was killed.
Bi. Charo was an old woman, maybe
Mvera's disappearance broke her heart.
Mmmh, have you forgotten that you haven't
talked to Bahati for all these years?
Or were you paid to forget?
You are now disrespecting me!
I don't have that intention.
But ask yourselves, it's
been fifteen years now,
Since Thabiti started
taking our youths abroad.
How comes no one has returned?
Not a single person.
There's something going on
with this old man and Thabiti.
But Mr. Thabiti said he wants to help us.
At what cost?
Mvera is not a liar.
We are being played.
Saumu
Saumu!
Mvera! Don't worry, you are safe.
What's that?
(Screaming)
(Phone ringing)
Have you finished her off?
Hallo! Have you finished her off?
Hallo
It's elder Kombo. He wants to know whether
you are dead
- Follow me
- What?
- Take a photo of me
- What?
Take a photo of me!
Is it done?
The job is finished.
Mmhh good.
But Mvera's return has
raised a lot of concerns.
Everyone knows she left in your bus and on
return she claims the others are in danger.
But her friend Saumu said she is safe.
What about the others? The people
have started asking questions again.
You will have to come to the
village and talk to them again.
Mmmh. Okay.
Eh! Who died?
Aren't you aware that
Mvera died at the hospital?
My goodness! Bi. Charo died
just the other day, now it's Mvera.
I don't know who will bury the other.
Because her only daughter
went abroad and never returned.
All these years, you have been telling me
that I'm the one who put you in that chair.
That I'm the coward who made dad hurt you.
I believed you but the
truth is you are the coward
I agreed to be with him because of you. I
would have left him long ago if I was alone
I was a child!
Killing him was the only brave
thing you ever did in your life.
I get it.
It's hard to let go even when
something is sucking you dry
All you can do is hold
on as tight as you can
You need me!
No mama! You need me!
(Indistinct chatters)
Thabiti! Thabiti! Thabiti!
Thank you very much! Thank you very much.
I understand the pain
you are going through.
For losing one of you, Bi. Charo.
Very true.
And for losing her
granddaughter Mvera today.
It's very true.
I will cover the
expenses of their funerals.
(Clapping and cheering)
In the hope that these deaths will be the
last in this era of poverty and corruption.
(Cheering)
- Thabiti hoyee!
- Hoyee!
I'm here today to inform you about
my intention to be your Governor!
(Cheering)
- Governor! Governor! Governor!
- (Cheering)
I will close down my organisation
that takes the youths abroad.
- (Murmurs)
- Mmmmh
The ones that went this
year will be the last ones.
(Murmurs) Where will we take the rest?
The time has come! Time has come
for me to create employment at home.
(Cheering)
(Chants and ululations)
- Thabiti eeeh!
- Eeeeh
- Thabiti hoyeeee!
- Hoyeeee!
(Indistinct chants)
You said Mvera was dead!
Here, look at this.
Here
Look.
They told me that she was dead
Useless!
(Screaming)
Get down! Get down! Down!
You, you and you let's go.
- Ah!
- Watch them! You! You! Come here!
Come here! Let's go!
Keep walking!
Get down!
Saumu!
This was the clinic.
They brought Sally here.
This is where they took our photos.
Get down! Get down!
Where are they?
I know you have been misled.
But I won't blame you.
I will give you anything you
want if you release me now.
You will be given money today.
Then you will be sold
in the market tomorrow.
Did you find anything?
What about you?
It's not too late.
I will give you whatever
you want right now.
There's a place we haven't searched.
Saumu! Saumu!
Saumu!
(Screaming)
(Sobbing)
(Crying)
(Crying and wailing)
of life in our community.
It was a good time of
miracles and happiness.
But when the colonialists came.
Things changed, especially our traditions.
They oppressed and humiliated us.
That's when our gods sent us a warrior.
A child was born.
The child was the saviour of the Mijikenda.
Her name was Mekatilili.
She stood tall to defend us.
She fought the colonialists and restored
our dignity as residents of the Coast.
The gods predicted that if the Mijikenda
were oppressed again.
Then the spirit of this
warrior would return.
When the time is ripe,
Mekatilili will return.
Is it true she existed?
Who?
Mnyanzi
Mekatilili wa Menza.
Did she exist or is it just a story?
What do you think?
It's a good story.
Does it mean you don't believe?
Grandma, look at the
place we are living in.
For how long have the people of
this village been living in poverty?
Where has Mekatilili been all this time?
Life is just like the wise people say.
Every man for himself.
And as Mvera, I will save myself.
I won't sit and wait for a saviour
that is never coming.
I hope you are not planning to leave
with your friends tomorrow.
I shouldn't find you near that group.
Grandma, look at this.
This is Talia, she is already in Germany.
She left with the last group.
She already has a job.
Grandma, don't you want me to get lucky?
Didn't you pass your exams?
Your calling letter to join
College is already here.
Don't you want to study and
become a doctor anymore?
Where will the college fees come from?
The government offers scholarships.
Grandma, let me go.
At least there are good jobs that pay well.
You won't go anywhere!
I have said it already!
- Grandma
- No! I don't want to hear anything.
Your mother left fifteen years ago and
she never came back.
She even stopped sending letters.
You now want to quit your studies and
do the same thing.
Maybe I will find her if I go.
Where will you start?
Nevertheless,
I don't want to spend my entire life here.
Get married, sell baskets at the market,
die and be forgotten.
(Chuckles)
So you don't want to be like me, right?
I didn't say that.
My granddaughter, go to school and study.
You got a great opportunity to be admitted
to the University of Nairobi.
Not many people get such chances.
If it's about the job, it
will come at the right time.
You don't have to do
what your friends are doing.
Don't rush things.
Please, I beg you my granddaughter.
Please.
Okay grandma.
I have heard you.
Mvera
I have been looking
for you since yesterday.
Are you travelling?
What about our relationship?
Does it mean everything about us
was a joke to you?
I already told you.
I'm not interested in marriage or any
kind of relationship.
Would you have left without informing me?
Without saying goodbye?
Goodbye Mangi.
Mvera, can't you even say hi?
She is the learned type.
(Traditional music)
My name! I'm going abroad!
Isn't your name there?
Are you sure you registered?
We registered together.
I don't understand.
Don't worry.
Mvera you are lucky you passed your exams
and you have a chance of becoming a doctor.
What would I do?
Let me go and make a living.
(Traditional music)
(Indistinct chatters)
- Ladies ayee!
- (Unison) Ayee
- Ladies oyaa
- (Unison) oyaa
- Men ohoo
- (Unison) Ohoo
Now, as you know.
Every year, Thabiti Foods Company.
Takes our youths abroad so they can find
jobs and make a living.
(Clapping and cheering)
As you can see this year, I have chosen
twelve youths to take part in this exercise.
(Cheering)
To those who were selected.
We wish you all the best in your journey.
(Clapping)
(Spits)
To those who were successful, don't forget
those you left back at home.
- Very true
- (Cheering)
I have the letters of
those selected to travel.
If you hear your name.
Come get your letter and
start your journey abroad.
(Cheering)
Okay. Ramadhan Omar
- (Cheering and singing)
- Patrick Kaviha
Mvera!
Mvera!
Mve...
(Somber music)
I'm sorry grandma,
but there's no life here.
Let me go and hustle like my friends.
I will send you money and come for you
when I find my mom.
All the best, Mvera.
Mom, I'm really happy. Last time I registered
but I didn't get a chance. Now I did.
Thank you.
Saumu, I wish you all the best. Goodbye.
Don't forget about us.
Remember your father is sick
And your siblings need school fees
- Okay?
- Okay
Okay
Tell dad I will call him any
time I get the opportunity.
Okay safe journey my dear.
- Take care as well.
- Okay. Thank you.
Okay
Mvera, see me off.
I don't understand. What criteria was used
in the selection?
Saumu! We are eventually leaving.
- Chiriku!
- We will board an aeroplane.
Mvera, please keep an eye on my Mramba.
Because I have been seeing him with Maria.
If you hear anything, let me know.
Is it okay Mvera?
Come on, you can't watch a man. We will
get other men abroad.
We will also build houses and buy big cars.
Let's go Mvera.
Aah! Mvera
May the work of your hands be blessed.
Thank you Mvera.
- (Sighs)
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
- (Chuckles)
Father! Mother!
(Chuckling)
Mother why are you sad?
I'm not greedy for money,
I'm worried about you.
I will be fine mother. I'll be sending
you money at the end of every month.
Mmmh?
I will also build a brick
house for you. Okay?
But don't forget that the Mwarandus have
already paid your dowry.
- You have started it father.
- What dowry?
You ate all the dowry alone.
I didn't get even a shilling.
- You are very greedy!
- But she has decided to go abroad.
My child, go and get money so I can pay
them back. Please.
Okay father.
- Okay my child. Safe journey.
- Okay mom.
Be careful with your letter as
it will be required at the bus.
It is safely here mom.
- (Zip opening)
- Aah!
My letter! Someone has
stolen my letter. Let me see.
(Crying) Let me see!
My letter!
(Crying) Let me see. Let me have a look.
(Crying)
(Crying) My letter
Mvera
- (Crying)
- Hey you!
(Crying)
Did you find it?
- Did you find it?
- Not yet
(Crying)
Even if she lost her
passport, isn't her name here?
(Crying). Yeah search for Kadzo Dalu.
Kadzo is already in.
Which Kadzo yet she is Kadzo?
I'm Kadzo!
Do you have an ID or
passport so I can confirm?
My passport was together with my letter. I left
my ID at home. I didn't know it would be needed.
You are joking!
(Crying)
Listen, there's no need to lie. You
will try your luck again next year. Okay?
Don't deny my child a
chance to have a good life.
- (Crying) I was selected
- Don't deny her.
(Crying) I was selected! I was selected!
- I was selected!
- Sally! Wait! My wife!
- I was selected!
- Sally
- Sally! Sally!
- (Crying)
Sally! Sally my wife!
You have left me with a baby my wife!
Sorry, Mr. Thabiti is very wealthy and we
wouldn't want people to know where he lives.
It's just a picture.
Even a picture can be used to track where
someone lives.
Excuse me, if you have a
phone please give it to me.
You will get them before you travel abroad.
Your phones please.
(Singing vernacular) He who travels bids goodbye. Stay safe
we are leaving. We are going home to see the white folks.
He who travels bids goodbye. Stay safe we are
leaving. We are going home to see the white folks.
He who travels bids goodbye. Stay safe we are
leaving. We are going home to see the white folks.
He who travels bids goodbye. Stay safe we are
leaving. We are going home to see the white folks.
We are going home to see the white folks.
We are going home to see the white folks.
Mvera, how did you get here?
A last minute chance popped up.
For sixteen years
My company has been taking youths like you
abroad to fulfil their dreams.
I also went there when I was your age.
And I'm hoping that you will help
your fellow youths when you come back.
(Clapping)
We have to apply for your travel
documents before you leave.
Such as visa and work permit.
That will take one week.
One week? But you told us
we would board the plane today.
A plane is not a bus.
We have to confirm that all your documents
are in order.
So the first thing we will
need are your passports.
Thank you very much.
Secondly
We will have to conduct a
medical test on each of you.
You will be taken to the doctor then
you will be led to the sleeping quarters.
A doctor?
Don't worry.
Everything is fine. Mmmh
For the time that you will be in my house.
If you need anything.
It will be given to you.
(Clapping)
Okay follow me.
(Music playing)
This is your room.
The washrooms are over there.
I expect you to always keep them clean.
Dinner will be ready at 7:00 pm.
So be on time because
Mr. Thabiti doesn't like waiting.
What about our phones?
Mr. Thabiti is a very wealthy man.
He has a lot of property and we wouldn't
want anyone to know where he lives.
I would like to call my mom so I can
tell her that we will leave next week.
I would also like to check on my father
as I left him sick.
Don't worry about that.
Mr. Thabiti will talk to
your families on your behalf.
I would like to talk to Mr. Thabiti. I
have a question I would like to ask him.
Mr. Thabiti has a lot to do at the moment.
Who will watch Mramba for
me now that Mvera is here?
He could be with Maria as we speak.
My goodness! Who has a phone?
You mean you are crying over love while
some people left young babies back at home.
People value money more than their blood.
You think you're an angel?
Have you forgotten what you did to Kadzo?
Kadzo?
Mvera, what did you do to Kadzo?
I hope you are ready.
Why did you lock us in here?
Mr. Thabiti has welcomed so many youths
who stole from him in his house.
We felt it's better if you are in the same
place every time.
Mr. Thabiti is waiting for you.
Mmmh. Welcome. Welcome.
Welcome once more.
Feel at home.
Everything that is on this
table comes from our farm.
I want all of you to get
abroad very healthy.
Welcome
- Thank you very much.
- Welcome
I have a question.
(Sighs) Ask
Uumm
Can I go here as well?
Can I go to New York?
Who is that?
My mother
She went abroad when I was very young.
This is the last photo she sent.
These are all her letters.
My grandma says she hasn't heard from her
for a very long time.
I know you are a prominent
person in the village.
And you are a very busy man.
But it's my wish that you will take
me abroad so I can look for my mother.
(Sighs)
That's a very scary story.
If I may ask, how did
she manage to go abroad?
Do you know?
No
My grandma says she does not understand.
She says she got help from
a person she doesn't know.
Okay give it to me. I will work on it.
I have a few contacts in New York.
Really?
Thank you very much. Thank you.
Welcome. Enjoy your food it's getting cold.
(Music)
What is this?
One of the girls is looking for her mother.
What? How's that possible?
What are the rules old man?
We said we don't take people from the
same family.
What part about that don't you understand?
I assure you I tried getting people from different
families. I don't know how this happened.
(Sighs)
Make sure it doesn't become a problem.
Mvera ran away without informing
me. I wouldn't have let her go.
- Why is that?
- How is Bahati doing?
It's been three years since she left and she has not
communicated. I don't know why she is doing that.
Maybe she got a lot of
money that blinded her.
Why do you want Nuru to go as well?
Everyone has their own luck. She
might remember us when she gets there.
Mama Bahati, can't you see there's a problem if
Bahati hasn't communicated with you since she left?
Maybe Nuru will remember us and help look for
her sister so we can find out what's going on.
Listen Mama Bahati.
Tell Nuru not to go until we find out where
Bahati is.
One case of HPV and one case of HIV.
(Bangs files)
I thought the screening was done before the
application process.
What happened?
A lot of new infections
occur in adolescents.
Between the ages of ten and nineteen.
It's always a gamble with these kids.
A more thorough screening needs to
be done before the application process.
Otherwise this entire process goes to shit.
Relax
How can I relax?
- One of the girls is here looking for her mother.
- What?
And the stupid old man has
absolutely no idea how she got in.
- Well you can't let her go now.
- Obviously.
So what are you gonna do?
She has to be the last one to leave.
Just in case someone comes looking for her.
Relax
Relax baby
We are almost done. Everything is gonna
be just fine
Relax
(Kisses)
(Chuckles)
She is not okay. She
must have been bewitched.
(Crying)
Who will take care of the
baby she left in the village?
Mvera you know the state of our village.
Would it have been better if she
stayed behind and they all suffered?
Maybe
So she will be raised by her drinking dad
in the village.
Wondering why her mother didn't love her.
(Whimpering)
Mother!
(Panting)
Don't worry mother.
That was just a bad
dream. Go back to sleep.
What are you doing here?
Oh you were screaming mother.
I'm fine.
One day, you will start walking again.
Immediately I get enough money, I
will take you abroad to treat your legs.
For how many years
have you said these words?
I'm doing everything for you.
If you had killed the monster
earlier, I wouldn't be in this condition.
You are the cause of all this!
Useless!
Go back to sleep.
(Humming)
I hope you slept well.
Where is Chiriku? Because it looks like no one
slept in her bed as there are no bedsheets.
Your friend went back home.
She said she wanted to get married.
And if there's no other question, I would like to give
you today's program me as well as for the whole week.
First you will get breakfast.
Then you will dress up for a photo
shoot so we can process your visas.
After that you will work out.
Mr. Thabiti wants you to
be healthy when you travel.
At what time did Leila leave?
Her visa came and she
left at 2:00am in the night.
When will our visas come
because it's already one week?
Very soon. Breakfast is ready.
What time did your friends leave?
They left at night. Their
visas came so they left.
Did you hear them leave?
I would like to talk to Mr. Thabiti.
Mr. Thabiti is a very busy man.
Why aren't you eating?
I made a mistake.
I made a mistake.
I want to go back home.
- But your visa is almost here.
- (Shouting) I want to see my baby!
(Crying) My baby! I want to see my baby.
(Crying) I want to see my baby.
(Crying)
Smile.
(Camera clicks)
Next.
Why are they taking so many pictures?
Mr. Thabiti is making
a work portfolio for you.
And why are our visas
taking longer than the rest?
Everyone is going to a different place.
- Some are going to London while others are going to..
- Mr. Thabiti promised that I would go to America.
New York to be precise.
(Camera clicks)
If that's what he told
you, then you will go there.
I would like to talk to him.
Mr. Thabiti is very busy.
We haven't seen him in so many days now.
When will he get a chance?
I have told you that
Mr. Thabiti is very busy.
(Camera clicks)
Sally
Where did they take you?
Dr. Kraft told me that I
would go home today.
I'm going to see my baby.
Mvera
Where are you going?
Washroom. I'm going to the washroom.
- Okay, let's go.
- Do you have to accompany me?
Where is she going?
There's no toilet paper.
That's not possible. We
put three rolls everyday.
There's no toilet paper here.
Or do you want me to use the hand towel?
Let me come and check.
You made a mistake in yesterday's dose!
We used the amount as
instructed by the doctor.
How then did one of them
manage to wake up? Mmmh?
You almost ruined everything!
My apologies boss, but we put
the dose as the doctor instructed.
Make sure you increase the dosage today.
Mvera
Mvera
Mvera has disappeared.
I have looked everywhere
for her but I didn't find her.
Mvera is right there.
Seven and eight. Okay get down
When did she come back?
Not long ago. Like ten minutes back.
Our children and grandchildren have
been going abroad for fifteen years now.
Let me ask you, who amongst you has spoken
to them in these years?
(Unison) No one
Mine has been away for seven years and she
no longer sends letters
(Worried mutters)
What about my Bahati?
It's been three years now
and she hasn't sent a letter.
When my daughter disappeared,
I went to the elders so they
could help me look for her.
Yes
They took me in circles.
Eventually they gave me a letter from my daughter saying
she would never come back as she has started life abroad.
(Indistinct chatters)
Calm down.
How come none of them
came back? That's not possible
(Indistinct chatters)
What about Thabiti?
Why doesn't he come himself to get the
youths but instead hides behind the elders?
(Indistinct chatters)
Listen carefully, we shouldn't take our children
abroad until we know where the others are.
(Agree in unison)
Even if it's on video, they should
show us where our children are.
(Indistinct chatters)
(Screaming)
(Screaming) Fire! Fire!
(Coughing)
(Metal clanking)
Saumu! Saumu! Saumu!
Saumu! Saumu! Saumu!
(Protests) Our children!
Our children! Our children!
- (Protests) Our children! Our children! Our children!
- Calm down! Calm down! Calm down please
Why are you here this early dear mothers?
We are here because we
want to see our children.
- (Unison) Yes!
- But how?
I want to see my Bahati, I don't want to read
letters. I want to hear my child's voice today.
(Unison) Yes!
Even if it's a video, we
are here so we can watch.
- Yes show us the videos.
- Just calm down.
And even if you threaten us, we
won't leave until we see our children.
Your colleague Thabiti has to come
here and tell us where our children are.
- (Protests) Our children! Our children! Our children!
- Calm down! Calm down! Calm down please.
Take me back to the house.
Thabiti! Take me back to the house.
Watch.
I don't want you to miss anything.
You have already killed
him. Is it hard to burn him?
I have never seen such
a useless child. Idiot.
This is all your fault.
Who told you to leave with
his car without permission?
My marriage has been full
of tribulations because of you.
I wouldn't be cripple.
This is all because of you.
Isn't it beautiful mama?
Excuse me.
The old man is here.
I have seen that smoke for many days
now, are there people who live here?
There are no people who
live here. It's just wild animals
Where is that smoke coming from?
Mr. Thabiti makes
charcoal to sell at the market.
- I told you not to come here.
- There's a problem.
That's why I pay you
The parents back in the village want to see
their kids. Not in pictures and not in letters.
They want to hear their
voices and see their videos.
They also said you should accompany me to the
village or else they will go to the media.
I want us to do something different today.
I want us to make a video of you
sending greetings to your parents.
It would be better if you told them
that you arrived overseas safely.
Why?
Your parents don't understand
the process of travelling.
Especially when it comes to Visas.
If they find out that you are still around,
they will demand you return home.
Is there anyone who wants
to go back home? Mmmh?
We found your mother.
She moved from New
York and lives in Texas now.
If you go back home, you will
miss the chance of seeing her again
Will you take me to her?
Your tickets and visas are ready, you will
be in the states the day after tomorrow.
Greetings mother, I hope
everyone is fine back at home.
I arrived in California safely.
Mr. Thabiti got me a job in
a film production company.
I will make arrangements to come
back home when I get enough money.
Send my greetings to dad and tell him I will
soon send him money to go to the hospital.
Thank you.
I'm grateful that my daughter
Saumu got a job abroad.
My apologies grandma for leaving abruptly.
I knew you wouldn't let me come if I
told you I was looking for my mother.
Just so you know, it's your
story that brought me here.
I know Mekatilili is protecting me
from all the hard times I'm going through.
What about my Bahati?
We said we want videos not pictures.
(Indistinct chatters)
We didn't manage.
To get videos of all your children.
Some moved from the countries we had
taken them. We are still looking for them.
In the meantime, I will
help you where I can.
I know your children are your breadwinners.
I'm here to take care of your
expenses until we find them.
I promise you that we will find them.
(Singing)
(Indistinct chatters)
(Singing)
- Thabiti hoyee
- Hoyee
We are leaving eventually.
Mr. Thabiti said I would
go to California, Hollywood.
Maybe I will meet Brad Pit and become
a movie star like him. What do you think?
Mvera!
All that is lies.
There's no visa or tickets to go abroad.
I don't understand you.
They are planning to kill us.
Kill us?
They took Sally last night.
She didn't feel a thing while
they got her from the bed.
She was like a dead person. I
followed them to the doctor's room.
They had containers to
store human body parts.
- What are you saying?
- These people are evil.
We are in danger.
That's not possible. Mr. Thabiti has been
helping our village for many years now.
Ask yourself why we are
being locked up all the time.
Ask yourself why they took our phones.
Ask yourself why our friends are getting visas at
night and leaving abruptly without even saying goodbye.
But didn't we see photos of those who went
abroad before us?
They were abroad all of them.
We also took a lot of photos.
Do you know what they are doing with them?
- Meaning Chiriku...
- Calm down.
Saumu! Calm down! Calm down!
Calm down! Calm down!
It will be our end if they realise we know.
We have to plan wisely. Calm down.
We will close down the
scholarship program me.
And start an orphanage.
Bigger supply and the children will be ours and
no one will care to ask about their whereabouts.
And we will have years to develop
pure breeds for better harvest.
You are staying?
What about your mother's spinal
treatment hey? How about that?
She has just been doing
fine with her legs, hasn't she?
This is Mr. Patrick.
He was a very close friend of your
father. He has come to take you abroad.
So he can get you a job.
Your father is dead so
you are the remaining man.
So you need to man up
and take care of this family.
- What about school?
- Do you have money to pay school fees?
You will leave with Patrick
at the end of this month.
Where is he taking me?
To the United States.
What work will I do there?
We will find you something
to do once we get there.
America is a land of many opportunities.
Don't forget.
I'm cripple because of you.
(Sniffs)
Stop being stupid. Swallow it fast!
You will face it rough
if that plane leaves us!
Swallow!
Even with the orphanage people are
still gonna ask questions eventually.
(Chuckles)
Not if I'm the Governor.
What are you talking about?
(Chuckles)
These people are desperate.
They will vote for anyone who
throws a coin in their direction.
You should have seen them
today screaming my name.
(Chuckles)
They will thank me of course.
You see, we live in a society
where the majority suffer.
For the few to thrive.
What if it's the other way round?
Slaughter one chicken
to feed an entire family.
It's short.
Even if we succeed getting out how will
we leave without the guards seeing us?
There's security everywhere.
There's one way.
We will eat the food.
We eat the poison?
They will know there's
a problem if we don't eat.
We will get our chance
when we get back to the room.
(Coughing)
- She doesn't have a phone.
- What will we do?
One of us can leave without being
noticed if she puts on this dress.
Then go and look for help.
Who would that be because
I won't remain behind.
You have an injured
leg so you won't get far.
- I'm fine.
- You can't run.
We need someone who
will get us help really fast.
As usual you are just
thinking about yourself Mvera.
I will bring help.
We will get caught if we leave together.
What if they come before you get back?
They will slaughter me like a chicken!
They took Sally at 2:00am last night.
We have four hours. That's
enough to get the Police.
The Police?
We are in the middle of the forest Mvera, and
there are wild animals have you forgotten?
Ouch!
You!
- You will die if you scream. Do you hear me?
- (Mutters)
I will insert this shoe in
your ear if you try to scream.
Which village is near this house?
How do you get home?
- Speak!
- I live here.
We all live here.
Where is your home?
You must leave once in a
while to check on your family.
I don't have a family.
Mr. Thabiti is my family.
How do we escape from here?
Speak or you will be dead!
I will still be dead if you escape.
(Breathes heavily)
(Laughing)
We will go together.
You won't leave me here.
We already decided.
Am I supposed to trust you?
You won't come back if you leave.
We are running out of time Saumu.
When did you find out
that the food was poisoned?
And you let me, Sally
and the rest to eat it.
I had no choice.
We would never know what
was happening without that.
If it wasn't Sally that night,
they would have taken me.
We are leaving together
(Screaming)
(Sighs)
Are you done?
Get out! Hurry up!
Walk! Let's go
Walk!
Hurry up
Walk! Hurry up!
Let's go! Open!
Don't waste my time! Open!
Please don't kill me, I have kids.
Hurry up if you want to see them again.
Put her inside very fast.
Hurry up
Let's go! Walk!
Walk!
If you scream or do something
to tell them that I'm here.
I will finish you off.
Let's go.
Let me get you some clothes.
Why are you leaving early today?
I'm asking, why you
are leaving early today?
This is the last package, they
want to finish early so they can leave.
Why didn't Mr. Thabiti inform
us that you will be leaving early?
I don't know about that.
But if you want to go and
wake him up, it's up to you.
Let him pass
Hey! Wait! Wait!
Let's go! Let's go!
Hallo
Aaah!
What time?
How many?
Okay. I'm working on it right away.
Keep your eyes on the road!
What will you tell the clients?
I hear the girls have escaped.
Mother, you are supposed to be in bed.
How did they escape?
I'm working on it
Can't you do anything correctly?
Do you need your hands held all the time?
Go back to bed!
(Phone ringing)
- Hallo
- Grandma
- It's me, Mvera
- Mvera!
They are following us grandma! I
don't know whether we will make it.
Where are you and who is following you?
Mr. Thabiti. He locked us in his house.
Everyone is dead grandma!
Where are you?
I have escaped.
I'm here with Saumu,
we are coming back home.
Where do you want me to come?
We have stolen Mr. Thabiti's vehicle.
But he is still looking for us.
Tell everyone. Call the Police.
Tell me exactly where you are right now.
Where are we?
Where are we?
We are approaching Ukunda.
- Where are you?
- Ukunda
I'm heading to Mombasa to look for Police.
Okay. Just call me when
you get there. I will come.
Okay
(Huffs)
It's okay. Leave.
I won't leave you!
We are not far.
They will catch you if you
carry me. Just leave me.
Get up!
Leave me!
You have always wanted to leave me
since you figured out Mr. Thabiti's secret
It's okay now.
It's okay. Leave. I have given
you permission. I won't blame you
- Leave me Mvera! Just go!
- No! Get up!
Leave!
Mvera leave! Nobody will
know the truth if they catch us.
- We will get caught leave! Leave!
- (Whimpers)
(Grunts)
- Where did she go?
- In there.
(Grunts)
We found one.
Okay boss.
Let's just pack up everything
and leave before it's too late.
I'm not leaving.
Babe, those girls have probably
already arrived in town by now.
What do you think will happen when the locals discover
what you have been doing here to their children?
It's one thing to speculate
but to know for certain.
No money in the world
can save you from that.
Look where you are going! Bitch!
Ask her where she is.
They caught up with us.
They have taken Saumu.
Grandma
Have you arrived?
Yes. Where are you so we can meet?
Mvera run! Don't come!
Mvera
Come home as fast as possible
or else your grandma dies.
Talk to anyone and your grandma will die!
Do you understand me?
Mvera tell me you understand me.
I know your voice.
Don't come home Mvera! Help your friends!
I give you two hours to come home
or else there will be a funeral here.
I can see you're ready to meet your
daughter Ayana as you have always wanted.
All our grandchildren have gone abroad and left us alone.
Don't they know it's dangerous leaving old people alone?
(Laughing)
(Screaming)
They found the truck but
one of the girls escaped.
Relax. Come on baby.
We are in the middle of a
crisis here. What are you doing?
Relax baby! Relax!
Relax
Why don't you want me to leave?
- Like I said, I just want you...
- (Grunts)
You should let these people pass.
Where to?
Is the boss aware?
As his mother I'm also a boss.
I have allowed all these
servants to go home.
You are the ones who lazed around and let
those girls escape with Thabiti's vehicle.
We didn't know they were in the vehicle.
It was your duty to know.
What do you think Thabiti is
planning to do to you for that?
Do you think you will
continue working here?
Your fire has already been lit.
What is happening here?
Where are you going?
Don't forget I know
where your families are.
And I have eyes everywhere
and if they don't hear my voice.
At every start of the hour,
your families are dead.
All these years, I have ensured that your
families have enjoyed the fruits of your labor.
If you are okay with them dying.
Well then, leave.
You knew.
We were left with no choice.
Thabiti
You have ruined everything as usual.
Those girls have already reached
the Police station as we speak.
Yet you are very stubborn.
You don't want to leave.
We had to let everybody go so you would
agree to leave.
Let's just go to Italy like we planned.
I'm not going to a Kenyan
prison for you. I'm done.
I'm taking my cut and I'm leaving
right now with or without you.
(Gunshot)
A child was born.
The child had supernatural powers.
The child was a saviour of the Mijikenda.
The child was named Mekatilili.
She stood firm to defend us.
She fought the colonialists to restore
our dignity as the Coastal community.
The gods predicted that if the Mijikenda were to be
oppressed again, then the spirit of this warrior will return.
When time is ripe,
Mekatilili will come back.
Mvera! Mvera! Mvera!
Talk to me.
I found her. She is at
the clinic in the village.
Has she spoken to anyone?
No she hasn't woken up,
she is still unconscious.
Make sure she does not speak to anyone.
How? Everyone from the village
is here waiting to interrogate her.
The dead don't speak.
Don't you want her to be brought back?
Too late for that. Just get rid of her.
Okay
- Saumu! Saumu!
- Mvera
- Mvera, can you see me?
- Saumu
She is awake.
Mvera
Mvera
Saumu is in danger.
Saumu is in danger?
Where is Saumu?
Grandma told us to run away.
Where's my grandma?
- Tell me where my grandma is.
- Calm down Mvera. Calm down.
They..found her in her room...
- They have killed her (Crying)
- Who?
- (Crying)
- Mvera! Mvera!
What are you doing?
Her pressure is high. We have to control it
Keep watch, I will be back.
What is it?
Mvera has said that Saumu is in danger.
Saumu is safe?
I want to talk to her right now. I don't want
letters or pictures. I want to talk to her right now.
Stop worrying mom, Saumu is okay.
Then I would like to talk to Saumu.
Okay wait.
There's no need to be afraid.
I'm aware your father is sick.
Colon cancer is a really dangerous disease.
He needs surgery and chemotherapy.
Twelve maybe eighteen million.
That's money I can get very easily.
Your mother wants to speak to you.
I suppose you would like to
see your father walk again.
I would like you to tell
her that you are abroad.
And everything is okay.
And that you don't have a phone for
now. You are using a friend's phone.
But you will call her when you buy yours.
Okay?
If she asks you about the others.
Tell her they are all fine.
But for Mvera,
She wasn't supposed to be here and when
we tried to take her back home she escaped.
And whatever she is saying
are lies out of jealousy.
Think about your family.
They will get anything they want.
Here
Hallo
- Saumu
- Mother
My daughter
I hope everyone is okay.
We are all fine but I
hear you are in danger.
Danger?
Who told you that?
Mvera said you are in danger.
Mom!
Did you say Mvera? Mvera got there?
Yeah, today in the morning and she said
that you are in danger.
Saumu is in danger!
Saumu!
Mother, I'm fine.
You would know if I was in danger.
Why would Mvera say you are in danger?
Huh!
Mvera sneaked her way here.
When Mr. Thabiti tried bringing her back
She ran away. Maybe she is just jealous
So you are safe?
I'm in the States
I have been silent for a long time because I didn't
have a phone. I'm actually using my friend's phone.
But Mr. Thabiti got me a good job
so I will call you when I buy mine.
What job are you doing my child?
I will call you later, the
owner wants her phone.
-Hello
-I will call you when I buy my phone.
Pass my greetings to father.
But wait, wait!
Aren't you curious...
These elders have been building houses and buying
cars. Where are they getting all this money?
They have their businesses.
Bi. Charo asked questions
and she was killed.
Bi. Charo was an old woman, maybe
Mvera's disappearance broke her heart.
Mmmh, have you forgotten that you haven't
talked to Bahati for all these years?
Or were you paid to forget?
You are now disrespecting me!
I don't have that intention.
But ask yourselves, it's
been fifteen years now,
Since Thabiti started
taking our youths abroad.
How comes no one has returned?
Not a single person.
There's something going on
with this old man and Thabiti.
But Mr. Thabiti said he wants to help us.
At what cost?
Mvera is not a liar.
We are being played.
Saumu
Saumu!
Mvera! Don't worry, you are safe.
What's that?
(Screaming)
(Phone ringing)
Have you finished her off?
Hallo! Have you finished her off?
Hallo
It's elder Kombo. He wants to know whether
you are dead
- Follow me
- What?
- Take a photo of me
- What?
Take a photo of me!
Is it done?
The job is finished.
Mmhh good.
But Mvera's return has
raised a lot of concerns.
Everyone knows she left in your bus and on
return she claims the others are in danger.
But her friend Saumu said she is safe.
What about the others? The people
have started asking questions again.
You will have to come to the
village and talk to them again.
Mmmh. Okay.
Eh! Who died?
Aren't you aware that
Mvera died at the hospital?
My goodness! Bi. Charo died
just the other day, now it's Mvera.
I don't know who will bury the other.
Because her only daughter
went abroad and never returned.
All these years, you have been telling me
that I'm the one who put you in that chair.
That I'm the coward who made dad hurt you.
I believed you but the
truth is you are the coward
I agreed to be with him because of you. I
would have left him long ago if I was alone
I was a child!
Killing him was the only brave
thing you ever did in your life.
I get it.
It's hard to let go even when
something is sucking you dry
All you can do is hold
on as tight as you can
You need me!
No mama! You need me!
(Indistinct chatters)
Thabiti! Thabiti! Thabiti!
Thank you very much! Thank you very much.
I understand the pain
you are going through.
For losing one of you, Bi. Charo.
Very true.
And for losing her
granddaughter Mvera today.
It's very true.
I will cover the
expenses of their funerals.
(Clapping and cheering)
In the hope that these deaths will be the
last in this era of poverty and corruption.
(Cheering)
- Thabiti hoyee!
- Hoyee!
I'm here today to inform you about
my intention to be your Governor!
(Cheering)
- Governor! Governor! Governor!
- (Cheering)
I will close down my organisation
that takes the youths abroad.
- (Murmurs)
- Mmmmh
The ones that went this
year will be the last ones.
(Murmurs) Where will we take the rest?
The time has come! Time has come
for me to create employment at home.
(Cheering)
(Chants and ululations)
- Thabiti eeeh!
- Eeeeh
- Thabiti hoyeeee!
- Hoyeeee!
(Indistinct chants)
You said Mvera was dead!
Here, look at this.
Here
Look.
They told me that she was dead
Useless!
(Screaming)
Get down! Get down! Down!
You, you and you let's go.
- Ah!
- Watch them! You! You! Come here!
Come here! Let's go!
Keep walking!
Get down!
Saumu!
This was the clinic.
They brought Sally here.
This is where they took our photos.
Get down! Get down!
Where are they?
I know you have been misled.
But I won't blame you.
I will give you anything you
want if you release me now.
You will be given money today.
Then you will be sold
in the market tomorrow.
Did you find anything?
What about you?
It's not too late.
I will give you whatever
you want right now.
There's a place we haven't searched.
Saumu! Saumu!
Saumu!
(Screaming)
(Sobbing)
(Crying)
(Crying and wailing)