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How to Build a Library

A film by Maia Lekow & Christopher King

Two tenacious Nairobi women decide to transform what used to be a whites-only library until 1958 into a vibrant cultural hub. Along the way, they must navigate local politics, raise millions for the rebuild, and confront the lingering ghosts of Kenya’s colonial past.

 

In 2017, Shiro Koinange (novelist), and Angela Wachuka (publisher), quit their jobs to restore a delapidated colonial-era library in bustling downtown Nairobi. Horrified at the condition of the historical, state-owned building, they successfully lobbied city officials to take-over management of the junk-filled library. 

With zero experience in building, the pair find themselves broke and with a mammoth task ahead. But with an undying passion for books, and a unique flair for glamour, instagram, and finding funds where least expected, they activate an army of homegrown artists, intellectuals, tech developers, architects and writers, all energised to transform the space into a technological hub of creativity and learning for future generations. They call it Book Bunk. 

While the cleanup & architectural overhaul of the neo-classical building requires a huge team and financial investment, it is the psychological rebuilding of these spaces that requires the most energy. The building serves as a vehicle for important conversation about the past, present and future of Kenyan society. Built in 1932 initially for white use only.  It wasn’t until independence in the 1960’s that Africans were permitted access to the library and its collection, which has been left in neglect since, slowly rotting into disrepair. 

As the Book Bunk team excavate through the dust and clutter amassed over the past 100 years, they unearth and organise tens of thousands of books, paintings, statues & photographs, all frozen in an era that is long gone, yet eerily familiar. The film explores a post-colonial identity crisis as it exists for millennials in Kenya today, and shared all over the world: what do we do with this complex history? Erase, or remember?

 

REVIEWS

The unwavering determination of these two women makes for one hell of a protest story.
— Nikki Baughan
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A captivating tale of perseverance in the face of adversities.
— Courtney Small
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Beautifully-crafted … one of the year’s must-see films.
— Cassondra Feltus
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CREDITS

Director: Maia Lekow & Christopher King

Producer: Maia Lekow & Christopher King

Edited by: Christopher King, Ricardo Acosta C.C.E., Maia Lekow, Michael Onyiego

Supervising Editor: Maya Hawke

Cinematography: Christopher King, Wambui ‘Bo’ Muigai, Emma Nzioka, Ronald Ronics, Nyasha Kadandara, Timothy Mwaura, Michael Onyiego, Leon Malu, Peter ‘Slim’ Gitonga, Stephen Ruiyi, Amit Ramrakha, Joe Mwihia.

Composers: Katya Mihailova, Maia Lekow, Ken Myhr, Daniel Hoffknecht.

Executive Producers: Roger Ross Williams, Geoff Martz, Judy Kibinge, D.D. Wigley, Maxyne Franklin, Nikki Heyman, Geralyn Dreyfous, Regina K. Scully, Tegan Acton, Emma Pompetti, Melony and Adam Lewis, Jamie Wolf, Nathalie Seaver

Co-executive Producer: Meryl Metni

Consulting Producers: Sonia Nzilu Maingi, Yvonne Welbon, Biki Kangwana, Peter Mudamba, Emily Mkrtichian, Megan Gelstein

Archival Researchers: Chao Taiyana Maina, Gioia Shah, Ruth Mwikali.

Consulting Archive Producer: Shanti Avirgan

Additional Editing: Mkaiwawi Mwakaba, Louiza Wanjiku

Assitant Editors: Peter 'Slim' Gitonga, Abel Waweru

FEATURE DOCUMENTARY | LENGTH: 99 MINUTES

PRODUCTION COMPANY: CIRCLE & SQUARE PRODUCTIONS & ONE STORY UP

LOCATION: NAIROBI, KENYA | LANGUAGE: ENGLISH, KISWAHILI

WORLD SALES: AUTLOOK FILMSALES | FORMAT: 2K COLOR - 25P - 16:9

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