There are many ways that human beings use to identify themselves as individuals. For some its their looks, their sense of style, a family name und so weiter (and so on). But for artists, flaunting your identity is an occupational standard. Their identity is their work, what they create.
So who is Cajetan Boy?
Cajetan Boy
Cajetan Boy is “By any means necessary”, a fantastic Kenyan crime thriller that he wrote and produced in 2005. This was the first film he ever produced or wrote and as he admits, the toughest.
By Any Means Necessary
Cajetan is “Benta”. A script that started off as a stage play but was later adapted into a feature film in 2007. An award winning feature film at that, with Janet Kirina scooping the Best Lead Actress Award at the inaugural Kalasha Awards. The film was also nominated in the Best Overall Film category at the same awards.
Benta
Cajetan is the brains behind popular TV series Lies that Bind, Sumu La Penzi and Block D all of which he served as head writer. So if you often marvel at the intricate and intriguing stories that you see on your screens when these shows are on, you have this brilliant man to thank.
Finally, Cajetan Boy is “Strata.”
Strata
Premiering at the Alliance Francaise on the 22nd of August, “Strata” depicts the life of Jazz (Sabina Stadler) as she investigates the circumstances surrounding the death of her fiancée Zeal (Gilbert Lukalia). Distraught by her loss, she refuses to accept any of the conflicting theories of Zeal’s murder and is determined to find out on her own what really happened.
“She does it for closure mostly,” Cajetan says of his protagonist.
“The movie is really about Jazz, but as she investigates I also try delve into crime… why crime happens and possible reasons why people turn to crime.”
The film is a first for this veteran script writer and director- who traces his beginnings, as most artists do, to the theatre stage. He’s directed several short films in the past, but this 106 minute piece is his feature film directorial debut.
But what really is the essential difference between a short film and a feature film. Isn’t it simply just a long short film? “It’s way more intense,” says Cajetan, “ you’re immersed in it longer, you get closer to the story and the product because you feel that you’ve invested so much in it. In terms of energy and creativity.”
The filming, contrary to the long, difficult and grueling process most of us would imagine, was quite fun! “We did very good pre-production, and had very good actors… and we had lots of hands! That helped!” Production was done in conjunction with Daystar University who furnished the production team with a battalion of interns who were not only very capable and very motivated but also very strong in numbers. Many hands make light work, as they say.
Its only logical to think that after all that hard work, Cajetan and his team are looking forward to a full house in the Alliance Francaise auditorium from Friday 22nd straight through to Sunday 24th August.
But why does he expect you to attend? “To be entertained! In that space of a hundred and six minutes you are going to be transported into another world… a world that is exciting and beneficial to you.” Cajetan continues to say of his film, “It’s full of amazing moments… beautiful locations, great picture… my favorite scene is perhaps the Zeal execution scene!” An execution scene…really!
Every artist has a very strong personal connection to his work and every piece means something meaningfully different.
So what does “Strata” mean to Cajetan Boy?
“Strata is a beginning… a new benchmark for my work! You’re always made to think that you come from the short movies and graduate later to go make feature films, so in terms of my growth now I’m playing in the big boy leagues now… its my graduation project!”
Be sure to catch “Strata” at the Alliance Francaise on the 22nd, 23rd or 24th of August.