Watu Wote: All of us (2017)

For a decade Kenya has been targeted by terrorist attacks of the Al-Shabaab. An atmosphere of anxiety and mistrust between Muslims and Christians is growing. Until in December 2015, Muslim bus passengers showed that solidarity can prevail.

Director:

Katja Benrath

Writers:

Julia Drache, Alexander Ikawah (consulting writer)

Stars:

Barkhad Abdirahman, Faysal Ahmed, Mahad Ahmed

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 32 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Barkhad Abdirahman	...	Abdirashid Adan
Faysal Ahmed	...	Hassan Yaqub Ali (Al-Shabaab Leader)
Mahad Ahmed	...	Passenger
Abdiwali Farrah	...	Salah Farah
Charlie Karumi	...	Issa Osman (as Charles Karumi)
Alex Khayo	...	GSU officer
Gerald Langiri	...	GSU officer
Justin Mirichii	...	James Ouma
Saada Mohammed	...	Astuhr
Douglas Muigai	...	GSU officer
Adelyne Wairimu	...	Jua

Storyline

For almost a decade Kenya has been targeted by terrorist attacks of the Al-Shabaab. Especially the border region between Kenya and Somalia is considered highly dangerous. An atmosphere of anxiety and mistrust between Muslims and Christians is growing. Until in December 2015, Muslim bus passengers showed that solidarity can prevail.

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Plot Keywords:

year 2015 | shot in the back | murder | gun held to head | teacher | 

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Genres:

Short | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

official Facebook

Country:

Germany Kenya

Language:

Swahili Somali

Release Date:

2017 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Watu Wote: All of us

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ginger Ink Films, Hamburg Media School, Lightbox Africa

Technical Specs

Runtime:

22 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

This short film was Katja Benrath's graduation project at Hamburg Media School.

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Connections

Referenced in Sean Bradley's First Reaction: 90th Academy Awards - Nominations (2018)

User Reviews

I really wish SEVERAL shorts could receive this years Oscar!

The 2018 Oscars is unusual in that so many of the short films nominated for Best Live Action Short are amazingly good. They are so good that I really wish several could win the award....they are that well made and effective. To give you an idea how good they all are, "Watu Wote: All of Us" was my third favorite...and it would clearly win if it had been nominated any other year!

"Watu Wote" is based on a real story...and it's a story all of us need to know and learn from it. The story is set in Kenya, a country which has had more than its share of radical Islamists. In fact, portions of the country are riddled with these rebel groups to this day.

The story begins with a young Christian woman taking a bus ride across the country to see her ailing mother. Most of the passengers are Muslim and you can tell the lady is uncomfortable about this. Later, you learn that woman's husband and child were murdered by terrorists and you can understand much of her feelings. But what this bus full of mostly Muslims ends up doing does a lot to change her perceptions and, hopefully, those of many in the audience. What does happen? See the film.

The story gets very high marks for its realism and creating a very taut atmosphere. Well made in every way and very worthy of the Oscar.