Nairobi: A former filmmaker, Henry Bwoka, recounts an incident from 1982 at Uhuru Park during a presidential function where his choice of words nearly led to a misunderstanding with security agents. Bwoka, amidst a crowd of journalists, mentioned ‘shooting’ the president in the context of filming, which drew the attention of a sharp-eared security officer. This incident highlights the challenges filmmakers faced during a time when certain expressions were easily misconstrued.
According to Kenya News Agency, the filmmaking industry in Kenya has seen significant changes over the decades, particularly with the transition from film to video. Bwoka, who retired as a filmmaker in 2016, recalls the stringent requirements and skills needed during the era of film. He notes that back then, each action was captured once, emphasizing the precision required in filmmaking. Unlike today, where digital technology allows for previewing and deleting unsatisfactory shots, the film demanded careful planning and execution.
Mbarack Ambe, a former film producer at the Voice of Kenya and currently a lecturer at the Technical University of Kenya, also reflects on the past, noting that deletion was an unknown concept. Bwoka’s career began in the late 1970s at the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication, where he received comprehensive training in various aspects of film production. The film industry then was characterized by the use of celluloid, distinguishing it from the current video technology.
Bwoka explains that film’s superior picture quality and durability set it apart from video. Despite the high costs associated with film production, such as the Ksh. 50 million price tag for a 35mm camera in the 1990s, Hollywood and other industries continued to use film due to its high quality. Bwoka fondly remembers the robust equipment like the Arriflex 35ST and 35BL cameras that were integral to his work.
The transition to video marked the end of an era for filmmakers like Bwoka, who witnessed the gradual decline of film processing facilities and the rise of digital technologies. The shift was driven by the lower costs and ease of video production, which eventually led to the cessation of the Kenya Newsreel in 2000.
Despite these changes, film remains a cherished memory for Bwoka and others who experienced its golden era. The intricate processes of film production, from loading raw film stock in darkness to the manual operations of 35mm cameras, created a unique and challenging filmmaking environment now replaced by digital convenience.