Poacher (film)
{{short description|2018 short film directed by Tom Whitworth}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Poacher
| image = Poacher poster.jpg
| director = Tom Whitworth
| writer = Davina Leonard
Tom Whitworth
| screenplay =
| caption =
| producer =
| story =
| based_on =
| starring = Brian Ogola
Davina Leonard
Lenny Juma
| narrator =
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| cinematography =
| editing =
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| released = {{Film date|2018|08}}
| runtime = 29 minutes
| country = Kenya, United Kingdom
| language = Swahili
English
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}}
Poacher is a 2018 Kenyan / British short film directed by Tom Whitworth. The film received wide international attention after its release in Netflix in September 2020.{{Cite news|last=Onyango|first=Fred|date=2020-10-07|title=Why Netflix is a lifeline for African film-makers|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/oct/07/netflix-lifeline-for-african-film-makers-fred-onyango|access-date=2020-10-09|issn=0261-3077}} It also became the first ever Kenyan film to be released via Netflix.{{Cite web|last=pm|first=Michael Musyoka on 3 September 2020-12:17|title=Award-winning Kenyan Film to Make History on Netflix|url=https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/57023-award-winning-kenyan-film-make-history-netflix|access-date=2020-10-09|website=Kenyans.co.ke|language=EN}}
Plot
Shot in a dramatic film format, Poacher tells the story of a desperate farmer who runs into trouble after stealing a stash of blood ivory from a gang of international terrorists. The film seeks to highlight the significant international issue of illegal ivory trade by addressing the plight of Africa's endangered elephant population.{{Cite news|url=http://www.poacher-film.com/|title=Poacher film |last=Film|first=Poacher|work=Poacher Film|access-date=2018-11-27|language=en-US}}
Cast
- Brian Ogola as Mutua
- Davina Leonard as Nicola Betts
- Lenny Juma as Juma
- Shiviske Shivisi as Ngina
- Olwenya Maina as Hassan
Production
Poacher was filmed over six days in the Tsavo West National Park to the South East of Kenya's capital, Nairobi. The production involved over 30 cast and crew members.{{Cite news|url=https://www.kenyabuzz.com/lifestyle/poacher-kenyan-wildlife-conservation-drama-kalasha-awards/|title=For Your Consideration: Kalasha-Nominated ‘Poacher’ Is a Triumph of Conservation Filmmaking|last=Mworia|first=Tim|work=KenyaBuzz|access-date=2018-11-27|language=en-US}} Director Tom Whitworth teased the first official still of the film on 10 April 2018, announcing that cinematography was by Nathan Prior and Ishmael Azeli. It was revealed that the short film was originally envisioned as a TV drama.{{Cite news|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BhY6B_XjRKJ/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/tom.whitworth0781/1754407278318785161 |archive-date=2021-12-26 |url-access=registration|title=Whitworth Instagram Post|last=Whitworth|first=Tim|work=Instagram|access-date=2018-11-27|language=en-US}}{{cbignore}}
Release
Poacher (2018) was released in August 2018, having been screened at the Short To The Point (STTP) Festival, and been selected for a Best Editing Award.{{Cite news|url=https://spunepescurt.ro/2018/09/26/congratulations-to-our-august-2018-award-winners/|title=SHORT TO THE POINT – AUGUST 2018 AWARDS|last=thepoint|first=shortto|work=STTP|access-date=2018-11-27|language=en-US}} The film premiered in Kenya at the ANGA IMAX Theatre on 10 November 2018 at the Kalasha International Film Awards in Nairobi.{{Cite news|url=http://kenyafilmcommission.com/images/pdf/UPDATED_SCREENING_SCHEDULE-_10th_NOVEMBER_2018.pdf|title=Kalasha International Film Awards Screening Schedule |last=Commission|first=KenyaFilm|work=KenyaFilmCommission|access-date=2018-11-27|language=en-US}} Poacher has also screened at the 2018 Moscow Shorts International Short Film Festival in September 2018 in Moscow.{{Cite news|url=https://www.moscowshorts.com/2018/10/09/september-2018-moscow-shorts-official-selection/|title=September 2018 – Moscow Shorts Official Selection |last=Shorts|first=Moscow|work=MoscowShorts|access-date=2018-11-27|language=en-US}} The film was streamed via Netflix on 30 September 2020.{{Cite web|title=Poacher {{!}} Netflix|url=https://www.netflix.com/title/81312943|access-date=2020-10-09|website=www.netflix.com|language=en}}
Accolades
- Nominated for Best Short Film, Best Director, Best Director of Photography, Best Supporting Actor in a Film and Best Actor in a Film for the 8th Kalasha TV & Film Awards.{{Cite news|url=https://www.kenyabuzz.com/lifestyle/full-list-of-kalasha-awards-2018-winners/|title=Full List of Kalasha Awards 2018 Winners|last=Buzz|first=Kenya|work=Kenya Buzz|access-date=2018-11-27|language=en-US}}
- Award for Best Short Film at the 8th Kalasha TV & Film Awards in Nairobi, Kenya on 24 November 2018.{{Cite news|url=https://www.kenyabuzz.com/lifestyle/full-list-of-kalasha-awards-2018-winners/|title=Full List of Kalasha Awards 2018 Winners|last=Buzz|first=Kenya|work=Kenya Buzz|access-date=2018-11-27|language=en-US}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|8360146}}
- {{Netflix title}}
Category:Swahili-language films