Did you know that FIHI, a Kenyan show has been nominated for the best TV show in an indigenous language – Kiswahili?
I caught up with Victor Gatonye to find out more about FIHI and what he is up to.
Fihi. Image credit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_jDat_waWg
Victor Gatonye is a Kenyan Actor/Director and Writer. Victor has directed shows like Makutano Junction, Kona TV series, One In A Million, Changes, KERU, FIHI, Bypass, Borderline, Nyumba Ten and Sunrise. He also has an extensive CV as an actor, having acted in numerous plays and series including Wingu La Moto, Makutano Junction, Shuga 2, Papa Shirandula, Nyumba Ten among others. He is also a script writer and script editor, stage manager and Emcee.
Victor has been nominated as the best director for the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA). This is not Victor’s first nomination. He has been nominated for various awards and he has also won quite a few including Best TV director Kalasha awards Kenya 2009, Best show in indigenous language (Swahili) Africa viewer’s choice awards, Mama Duka. (Ruth Ndulu Maingi and Victor Gatonye) 2014 and Nyumba 10 and Fihi were in 2015 nominated Africa magic viewer’s choice awards in Lagos for best TV show in an indigenous language.
What is Fihi about?
Fihi is a drama based on a fictional rural town in East Africa, high affected by constraints of ill governance and evil use of religion among other challenges like social and economic hindrances. The focus of the story is the homestead of Bridget, a woman who takes matters into her own hands and kills her husband in revenge for mistreating her. This action has unintended consequences as it causes a curse that follows her and her children.
Why is this story important?
Currently, in Africa we are faced with Socio-Economical problems that we seem not to be addressing efficiently. Fihi goes deeper into the root causes of the African’s struggle and begins to shine light in areas where we can begin to work on in order to attain progress, awareness of ourselves and mental freedom.
How long have you been working on FIHI?
The story was initially suggested by Appie Matere, who is the Executive Director at Zamaradi. A joint team of Joseph Kioni (Facility Manger), George Mungai (Production designer) and I shaped the story over 4 months and finally we got in writers to give life to the show. The biggest triumph for the show was getting Carol Odongo, a long servicing theater director who did a brilliant job. And Papu Maina who shot it with an original feel. We also had casting by Godffery Ojiambo.
Fihi is actually entirely shoot on a filming set we set up behind the Zamaradi office. It took 6 months to set it up.
Is this your first nomination?
This is the second nomination in the same category.
How do you feel about the nomination?
It is very encouraging to get a nomination especially at the level of AMVCA, which in essence is Africa’s Grammys. I got to meet so many other industry players from the world all in one place. To have a nomination places one’s work in the international stage for scrutiny. As Supervising Director on the show it is such a fulfillment.
Working on Fihi make me self-reflect and it created a sense of self awareness and acceptance. I have also learnt a lot from the show’s director Carol Odongo who is amazing in her approach. The team also has put in a lot of effort with the backing of a good production house. I am very proud of Fihi!
The voting for the AMVCAs is open and it will close on the 24th of February. To vote download the Wechat app on your smartphone and add the id africanmagictv.
We wish Victor and the Fihi family all the best.
The post Kenyan Director Victor Gatonye Talks About Series FIHI And The Nomination for the AMVCA Awards 2017 appeared first on OMGVoice.Com.
