Director: Sam Soko | Countries of production: Kenya | Year: 2020 | Length: 96 min
Language: English, Kikuyu, Kiswahili with English subtitles | Age: 15+ years

Screened as part of TOAFF20

Boniface “Softie” Mwangi has long fought injustices in his country as a grassroots political activist. Now he’s taking the next step by running for office in a regional Kenyan election. With his wife Njeri’s fierce support, he responds to each challenge with optimism – but running a clean campaign against corrupt opponents becomes increasingly harder to combat with idealism alone.

Soon, challenging strong political dynasties and sensitising the masses they govern not only starts to take its toll on Boniface and his team’s wellbeing, it also puts his entire family at risk. Boniface faces an impossible conflict: should country really come before family, as he’s always believed?
Softie is a story of courage, conviction and charisma that captures the journey of a young political hopeful with an audacious vision for the future of his country.

Content notes:
Contains scenes of state violence, violent repression of protest and its aftermath, and references to torture.

Screened as part of TOAFF20

World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Editing, 2020 Sundance Film Festival

“A compelling act of defiance” The Film Stage

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