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The story of Kenya’s struggles to restore its standing as a peaceable, democratic icon of East Africa, is depicted in “Kenya: Passing the Baton,” a new documentary produced and directed by Fine Arts Professor John Michalczyk that will premiere at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, on Sept. 21.
The 50-minute film will be screened at 7:30 p.m. at the MFA’s Remis Auditorium, 465 Huntington Avenue.
Once a stable, democratic country with a robust economy, a highly admired tourism industry and — despite a population of 37 millions split into 40 ethnic groups — a relatively peaceful society compared to other African nations, Kenya saw drastic changes with the December 2007 re-election of President Mwai Kibaki. Amidst challenges to the election results, violence quickly broke out across the country, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,400 people and the displacement of 300,000 others.
“The goal of ‘Kenya: Passing the Baton’ is to shed light on the struggle of a people and a government to create a united, civil society from one currently split by disturbing tribal tensions, corruption, land distribution, and social issues exacerbated by the severe drought of 2009,” said Michalczyk, co-director of the BC Film Studies Program.
Theology faculty member Raymond Helmick, SJ, served as associate producer, Rogelio Thomas ’11 assisted with camera work and editing, and Stone Yu ’11 was an assistant cameraman. Funding for the project came from the Thomas and Erma Jean Tracy Family Foundation, the Jesuit Institute at Boston College and Rotary International.
Ticket information for the movie is available online here.