Softie (2020 film)
| Softie | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Sam Soko |
| Written by | Sam Soko |
| Produced by | Toni Kamau Sam Soko |
| Starring | Boniface Mwangi Njeri Mwangi |
| Cinematography | Chris Rhys Howarth Joel 'Ingo' Ngui Sam Soko |
| Edited by | Mila Aung-Thwin Ryan Mullins Sam Soko |
| Music by | Olivier Alary Johannes Malfatti |
Production companies | LBx Africa We Are not the Machine Eye Steel Film |
| Distributed by | Icarus Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 96 min |
| Country | Kenya |
| Language | English |
Softie is a 2020 Kenyan film,[1] based on the life of political activist[2] and photojournalist Boniface Mwangi and his family. The film, directed by Sam Soko (it is Soko's first feature documentary[3]) first premiered internationally at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival[4] where it won a special jury prize for editing.[5] Softie, which premiered in Kenya on October 16, 2020, also won the Best Documentary at the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) 2020.[6] An award that has qualified the film for consideration for the Oscar documentary[7] shortlist for the 93rd Academy Awards ceremony.[8]
Film festivals
The film has been screened at international film festivals[9] including the Copenhagen International Documentary Festival, Full Frame Documentary Film Festival and at the Encounters Festival South Africa where it won Best Film.[10] Softie was also the opening film[11] at the Hotdocs Film Festival and at the Human Rights Festival held in Berlin.[12]
Plot
The film tells the story of the protagonist Boniface Mwangi nicknamed "Softie," Kenyan slang for "wimp," in his childhood years but who has ironically turned out as one of the most daring and audacious activists in Kenya at the forefront of fighting injustices in the country. His activism and the constant danger the path he has chosen poses to his life and that of his family create tremendous turmoil between him and his wife Njeri Mwangi, who is protective of her family.
The film chronicles the activist's seven-year journey beginning with chaos-filled street protests and culminating in Boniface's decision to run for a political seat in his childhood neighborhood, Starehe constituency, where he is confronted by the reality of challenging strong political dynasties.
Cast
- Boniface Mwangi as Self - Photojournalist - Activist
- Njeri Mwangi as Self
- Khadija Mohamed - Churchill as Self - Mwangi's Campaign Manager
- Charles Njagua Kanyi as Self - Mwangi's Opponent - aka Jaguar
- Uhuru Kenyatta as Self - President - Kenya (archive footage)
- Christopher Msando as Self - IT Manager - IEBC (archive footage)
- Raila Odinga as Self - Presidential Candidate (archive footage)
- William Ruto as Self - Deputy President - Kenya (archive footage)
Awards
- World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Editing[13] - Sundance Film Festival 2020
- Best Film[14] - The 22nd Encounters South African International Documentary
- Best Documentary[15] - Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) 2020
| Awarding organisation | Category | Year | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sundance Film Festival | Grand Jury Prize | 2020 | Sam Soko | Nominated |
| Sundance Film Festival | Editting Award | 2020 | Mila Aung-Thwin
Ryan Mullins Sam Soko |
Won |
| Bregen International Film Festival | Checkpoints Awards | 2020 | Sam Soko | Nominated |
| Durban International Film Festival | Best Documentary | 2020 | Softie | Won |
| International Documentary Award | Best Feature | 2021 | Sam Soko
Toni Kamau |
Nominated |
| PGA Awards | Outstanding Producer of Documentary Theatrical Motion Pictures | 2021 | Sam Soko
Toni Kamau |
Nominated |
| Cinema for Peace Awards | Cinema for Peace Dove for The Political Film of the Year | 2021 | Softie | Nominated |
| Cinema Eye Honors Awards, US | The Unforgettables | 2021 | Boniface Mwangi | Won |
| Cinema Eye Honors Awards, US | Outstanding Achievement in a Debut Feature Film | 2021 | Sam Soko | Nominated |
| One World Media Awards | Best Feature Documentary | 2021 | Softie | Nominated |
| African Movie Academy Awards | Best Documentary | 2021 | Softie | Won |
| Guanajuato International Film Festival | Best international Documentary Feature | 2020 | Sam Soko | Nominated |
| El Gouna Film Festival | Feature Documentary Competition (Golden Star) | 2020 | Softie | Nominated |
| El Gouna Film Festival | Feature Documentary Competition (Silver Star) | 2020 | Softie | Won |
| History Film Festival | Best Independent Film | 2021 | Softie | Won |
References
- ^ "Award Winning Film "Softie" Starring Boniface Mwangi set to Premiere in Kenya". The Kenya Forum. 2020-10-14. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
- ^ Wilson, Tom (2020-10-05). "Documentary 'Softie' and the bear pit of Kenyan politics". Financial Times. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
- ^ "Softie – Amman International Film Festival". Retrieved 2025-08-23.
- ^ "'Minari' wins top awards at the Sundance Film Festival, as women sweep directing prizes". Los Angeles Times. 2020-02-02. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ "'Minari' wins top awards at the Sundance Film Festival, as women sweep directing prizes". Los Angeles Times. 2020-02-02. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ "Durban International Film Festival". Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ "Boniface Mwangi's 'Softie' qualifies for Oscars consideration". Nation. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
- ^ "Boniface Mwangi's documentary 'Softie' qualifies for consideration for 2021 Oscars". Nairobi News. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
- ^ Wako, Amina (2020-10-13). "Kenya: Boniface Mwangi's 'Softie' Qualifies for Oscars Consideration". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
- ^ "Encounters Award Winners Announced at Virtual Closing Ceremony | 2020 (22nd) Encounters South African International Documentary Film Festival". encounters.co.za. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
- ^ "Larry Flynt, Harry Belafonte, Jonathan Scott Films Set for 2020 Hot Docs Festival | Hollywood Reporter". www.hollywoodreporter.com. 14 April 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
- ^ Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "Human Rights Film Festival highlights the power of storytelling | DW | 01.10.2020". DW.COM. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
- ^ "softie". www.sundance.org. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
- ^ "Encounters Award Winners Announced at Virtual Closing Ceremony | 2020 (22nd) Encounters South African International Documentary Film Festival". encounters.co.za. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
- ^ "Durban International Film Festival announces DIFF Award Winners during the closing night". Yiba. 2020-09-22. Retrieved 2020-10-14.