LEO the movie
The Kenyan movie industry has been taking leaps and bounds with locally produced and directed movies getting worldwide attention and scooping various awards across the globe.
With the recent runaway success of Nairobi Half Life, yet another inspirational film is set to take Kenya and the world by storm. Its name: LEO the movie.
Leo has just been screened to a select group of media houses today, at the Planet Media Cinemas at West Gate Shopping Mall, Nairobi. It will officially premiere on November 29 at a red carpet reception.
Directed by Jinna Mutune, LEO is a fairytale-fiction story set in modern day Nairobi. It is a story about a young Maasai boy, raised in a low-income home, who despite all odds is bent on achieving his dream. Being shot down by those closest to him (his own brother) as having his head in the clouds, the inspirational tale of this young boy is sure to resonate with all Kenyans and touch viewers across the board. The movie is sure to prove that super heroes do exist, not only in our imagination, but in our reality too.
The lead role ‘Leo’ is played by child actor Trevor Gitonga (more commonly known from M-Net produced series Changes). Trevor acts alongside Hollywood’s David Morin and the film is generously dotted by cameos from some of Kenya’s biggest public figures: Chris Kirubi, Jeff Koinange, Paddy Mwangi (you might remember him as Fresh Freddy) and Gowi Odera among others.
Director Jinna Mutune is a newcomer to the Kenyan film scene, but has no shortage of works she has already directed and produced. From short films to music videos and theatrical plays, her debut feature film benefits from her experience working in film both in America and Africa.
Jinna has a degree from renowned South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance (AFDA, Cape Town, South Africa) and in Film Studies from the Houston Community College in Texas, USA.
Executive produced by business mogul Chris Kirubi, Bernard Wambugu, Chris Kirubi, Julian Kyula, Donald Gichane. Soundtrack partly provided by Kenyan music group, Sauti Sol. The principal cinematography by Abe Martinez (worked on Spider Man, Anger Management, Fast and the Furious, ALI, 30 for 30) –IMDb profile–. Composed by Jaaz Odongo and produced by Paul Masinde. This ensemble super-crew does not disappoint in the delivery of what can only be anticipated to be Kenya’s next blockbuster.
All in all, LEO is a simple story that captures the essence of a child’s heart still open to all the posssibilities of achieving his dream in “Kenya” Africa.
Peep the trailer:
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LEO the movie, premiering at screens near you soon.
