Our Land Our Freedom (2024) ‘Sheffield DocFest’ Film Review.

Meena Nanji and Zippy Kimundu’s documentary Our Land Our Freedom captures areas of domestic protest and unrest against oppressive regimes. The discontent is massive and long in the making, but a succession of governments have paid no heed to the escalating grievances. Nothing has changed. The stagnation of the powerful and the powerless in fixed positions assumes the force of a codified norm until a dissident comes along with endless tenacity and a singular determination to restore justice and fairness to what is deemed intolerable.

The documentary offers a riveting look at a compelling and dynamic dissident who doesn’t hesitate to shake things up and is prepared to do whatever it takes to pursue long-denied restorative justice. She is aware of the structural opposition to her efforts, but this has no effect in dampening her spirit. There is little or no fear of threatening consequences, something he is constantly reminded of. All she cares about is turning her agenda, a collective dream of many, into a binding reality.

The documentary focuses on the historically despised and beleaguered community of the Mau Maus in Kenya. In the 1950s, this group – the Kenya Land and Freedom Army – fought the British colonialists to assert control over their land. This led to a massive crackdown by the British, who deported thousands of Mau Mau to makeshift concentration camps and executed a series of murders. When independence came to Kenya, it was colonialist-oriented politicians or collaborators who were brought into power, provided that the white settlers were allowed to stay.

Therefore, it was not a direct tipping of the scales as Mau Maus had predicted. Many compromises were made and the surviving members of the group were just arbitrarily thrown together in a simulated relocation site. But the group did not give up hopes of reclaiming their land, appealing to Wanjugu alias Evelyn Kimathi, daughter of slain Mau leader Dedan.

Wanjugu works as a telephone operator, far from the hardships of her heritage. Moved by the stories and the lack of resolution about Dedan’s gruesome death by hanging, she plunges into the heart of the struggle. Her ailing mother yearns for proper and proper closure regarding Dedan’s remains so that he can get a decent burial. This prompts Wanjugu’s concerted efforts to boost and bring peace and a sliver of happiness to her community, which has been vilified as terrorism by several regimes. As she visits and begins to immerse herself deeply in the Mau Mau struggle, a galley of horrors they were subjected to, none of which has been remedied, comes to the fore.

The testimonies are disturbing and heartbreaking, yet essential to be strongly reiterated. The documentary, which spans several years, revolves around Wanjugu gathering even more unshakable strength from what he hears and becoming an influential figure in his own right. This does not bode well for the government as her mobilization potential is seen as a threat. If she assumes the power to gather people in such large numbers just by the power of her integrity, what else could she be capable of?

Wanjugu continues despite the ample hints directed her way that are not pleasant or welcoming and point to a dangerous degree of censorship and surveillance. “Our Country, Our Freedom” does not incorporate any high formal ambition or stylistic changes. In perfect consonance with understanding, valuing and giving full dignity to the conflicted group, it holds full assurance in its narrative. There is a devastating humanity in the unique confidence and zeal with which the journey is undertaken. There may be small setbacks and losses along the way, but the audacity to make it to the finish line unscathed trumps everything else.

Our Land, Our Freedom was designed at Sheffield DocFeast 2024.

Our Earth, Our Freedom (2024) Movie Link: IMDb