Mapera: Former film cameraman Henry Bwoka is not alone in mourning the death of film in Kenya. John Wambulwa, a fellow retiree sound instructor at the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC), who lives in Mapera village in Tongaren constituency, sings the same dirge. He trained alongside Bwoka in the same intake from 1979-1981. The Friedrich Ebert Foundation of Germany was fronting what would be the pioneers of filmmaking in Kenya. The training had originally been set up at the then Voice of Kenya (VoK) and Mombasa House near Jevanjee Gardens, was the base used for the training. Relocation to KIMC followed thereafter.
According to Kenya News Agency, Wambulwa laments the shift from film to video, stating, “We have gone the wrong direction.” He reminisces about the art of sound, expressing concern over the current state where anyone can claim to be a soundman merely by recording some form of sound. During his era, sound recordists played a pivotal role, visualizing and advising on the sound and music to be incorporated into a production.
In November 2022, a visit to his daughter in the US rekindled Wambulwa’s fond memories of filmmaking. His daughter, trained at the Film Production Training Department (FPTD) at KIMC, introduced him to the vibrant cinema culture there, contrasting with the dwindling scene back home. He recalls the thrill of watching movies in iconic Kenyan cinemas, where the choice of locations and the immersive experience stood out.
Wambulwa, who retired in 2016 after a 37-year career, remembers his sound class peers and the diverse student body from regions like Gambia, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Zanzibar. The KIMC training was comprehensive, covering production techniques in camera, sound, editing, and laboratory work, each with specific prerequisites.
The German trainers at KIMC aimed to equip locals with technical skills to take over as instructors. Wambulwa was selected for further training in sound, eventually teaching numerous sound classes at KIMC. His influence extended to students like Danson Siminyu, who now works at the Presidential Music Commission. Siminyu praises Wambulwa’s expertise in sound production, likening him to a mobile sound textbook.
Wambulwa recalls the sound recording systems used during his time, including the 16 and 35mm cameras and the Nagra sound recorder. He explains the intricacies of the double system, where sound and picture were recorded separately and later synchronized. Despite the advancements in video sound, Wambulwa and his peers were well-prepared to handle video sound as the industry transitioned.
The evolution from film to video has condensed production crews, with single individuals often handling multiple roles. Wambulwa laments the loss of artistic diversity and collaboration that characterized his era, emphasizing the mutual understanding and respect he shared with colleagues like Bwoka.
Siminyu fondly remembers gaining valuable experience at the Kenya Newsreel, where he learned to multitask and care for production equipment under the guidance of senior cameramen like Bwoka. Despite the heavy equipment, Wambulwa views the physical demands of the job as a form of exercise.
Wambulwa’s sentiments about film echo that of Bwoka, as he highlights the superior image quality of 35mm and 70mm films compared to the grainier 16mm. Though Kenya never had a 35mm laboratory, the 16mm facilities at KIMC were operational when Wambulwa retired.
In 2006, there was an initiative to modernize Kenya’s film facilities, but Wambulwa is unsure of its progress. He believes the revival of the film industry depends on policymakers and could engage the youth productively. Wambulwa emphasizes the lasting impact of well-made films and urges the youth to consider the future when creating stories.
Despite the decline of film, Wambulwa continues subsistence farming and stays in touch with former colleagues. His message to the youth is to create stories with enduring value, drawing inspiration from timeless films like those of Charlie Chaplin. As video continues to thrive, Wambulwa sees the potential for film to be a powerful medium if properly supported.
