On 19th November 2020, Kenya Film Commission partnered with Password Ventures Limited to screen the feature film “40 Sticks” at an invite-only event prior to the worldwide release via Netflix on Friday, 20th November 2020. “40 Sticks” is a thriller film directed by Victor Gatonye based on a group of prisoners trapped in a crashed prison van and their strife to stay alive when they realize there is a mysterious killer lurking in the shadows. The film was produced by Fakii Liwali, Betty Mutua and Sarah Hassan under SensePlay, the Audio-Visual arm of Password Ventures Limited.
The film, shot in February 2019, stars Robert Agengo (known for his role in “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind”, “Kidnappet”, “Kona” TV Series, among others), Bilal Mwaura (known for his role in “Uradi” where he co-stars with Agengo), actor and renowned scriptwriter Cajetan Boy, Shiviske Shivisi (known for her role in “Poacher”, “The Wives” TV Series, among others), Xavier Ywaya (known for his role in “Coerced Revenge” film,“Nganya” TV Series and “The Real House-helps of Kawangware” TV Series), Arabron Nyyeneque (known for his role in “Mother in Law” and “Kona” TV Series and commercial model and actor Andreo Kamau Jäger (known for his role in “Changing Times” TV Series).
Mr. Liwali describes “40 Sticks” as a one-of-a-kind masterpiece worked on by a resilient, purpose-driven, passionate, committed and energetic group of Kenya cast and crew.
In his speech read at the premiere, the Kenya Film Commission CEO, Mr. Timothy Owase noted that: “The Kenyan film industry has indeed come of age. This can be seen from the recent acquisitions of Kenyan films by the global streaming giant, Netflix. I take this opportunity to congratulate the stellar cast and crew behind the production of “40 Sticks” for the great effort and display of talent and for proving to the world that Kenya is a force to reckon with on the global platform in film production.”
“40 Sticks” is the fourth Kenyan film to stream via Netflix after “Poacher”, “Disconnect” and “Sincerely Daisy”. The film has been nominated in various categories in this year’s Kalasha International Film and TV Awards.
