Kenya Film Classification Board Chief Executive Officer Ezekiel Mutua at a press briefing in Nairobi on January 8, 2016. Netflix launch has instantly pitted two regulators, the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) and Communications Authority (CA) of Kenya against each other over moribund anxieties that should be the least of our concerns at this point in time. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
In Kenya, we seem content encouraging mainly primary and high school children to recite poems and participate in pantomimes as part of extra-curricular (not co-curricular) activities. Few of the stars in these largely farcical performances progress into the movie world.
The 21st century Africa seems averse or altogether unaware of the immense benefits of investing in the film industry. Indeed, it is anathema to even talk of films and movies constituting an industry in Africa save for Nigeria that has offered the world Nollywood.
There is consternation in the air over the launch of Netflix — the global mega online movie streaming service — in Kenya. The launch has instantly pitted two regulators, the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) and Communications Authority (CA) of Kenya against each other over moribund anxieties that should be the least of our concerns at this point in time.
To antagonise information technology-driven ideas with all their seamless attributes is to engage in utter futility. Perhaps the exuberant apprehensions expressed by the Ezekiel Mutua-led KFCB ought to be directed at educating Kenyans on the degrading effects of decadent movie content as opposed to making worthless attempts at policing what Kenyans should watch.
