In these dark economic times, I’ve been entertaining random thoughts, like, what’s the best way to rate Kenyan productions? It’s a fact that we live in a world where conversations around movies easily cross borders thanks to the power of the internet and social media.
And if you’re a film lover with a few foreign friends, like myself, you’ve probably been asked this question: “Can you recommend a good Kenyan production?”
That question has come up for me so often that I’ve decided that by default, that is going to be my new rating system. Don't worry, like any short video on social media stay until the end it will all make sense.
Today, we are looking at 2 Asunder, a Kenyan drama from Senseplay, directed by Fakii Liwali and Tony Mwaura.
The story centres on a bride (Stephanie Ciku Muchiri), a groom (Bruce Makau), an unpredictable best man who also happens to be the groom’s cousin (Kevin “K1” Maina), and a domineering matriarch (Sanaipei Tande). In a world of opulence, family tradition, loyalty, betrayal, love and dark secret.
The cast also includes Chris Kamau, Joyce Musoke, Linda Ngendo, Donald Ohon, and John Kararahe. With such a lineup, it’s no surprise that the performances are going to be good, but that’s not the first thing that pulled me in.
The production design is unapologetically dominant in this film. From the look, colour-wise, to the architecture and detailed props during the wedding, the attention to detail is evident consistently. The costume design is equally remarkable, perfectly matching the grandeur of the Kilimo family. Each character has a distinct look, making it easy to distinguish them based on their outfits alone.
The cinematography is also great. The lighting, interesting framing choices (with mirrors), compositions and colour grading contribute to a visually stunning film.
For me the fireplace scene is still vivid in my mind, but even the exterior shots, especially the wide-establishing ones, are beautifully executed. The makeup team help give the characters “the look”, Sanaipei’s character initially looks or feels off makeup-wise, but as the story unfolds, her look starts to make sense.
Similarly, Stephanie Ciku Muchiri’s transformation is striking, with a clear contrast between her during the wedding and disheveled look the next day.Apart from just Ciku's character the make up team also did a great job with the side characters like Nene (Linda Ngendo and Rachel (Joyce Musoke) and all the other random extras who pop especially during the wedding.
Director of ‘2 Asunder’ discusses new film project
Performances
The performances are bold, sometimes over the top, almost as if the actors were told this was going to be a “big” movie so they had to bring their A game. While some moments are undeniably over the top, the cast deliver decent performances with the script they have to work with. The casting is spot on, and the costumes further help make the characters believable.
Sanaipei Tande is memorable as the calm yet imposing matriarch. Her subtle yet powerful performance commands attention in every scene she’s in, further elevated by her costumes and props.
Bruce Makau, the central character, pairs well with Stephanie Ciku Muchiri. Their characters, grappling with the shock of a life-changing secret on what should be the happiest day of their lives, are compelling.
Ciku’s character, in particular, carries multiple burdens during this tumultuous period, and her performance captures this complexity beautifully up to the very end.
Kevin Maina’s portrayal of what I thought was the black sheep of the family brings a dynamic angle to the story. His character is initially cast as a wild card but with time he is pushed to a intriguing position as the film progresses.
Joyce Musoke and Linda Ngendo, despite limited screen time, deliver solid performances. However, I felt Chris Kamau, Donald Ohon, and John Kararahe were underutilised, a missed opportunity given their talent.
Smaller details
I really like the world building, especially with the opening scene, I found myself fascinated by the Kilimo family’s culture, tradition and language.
The sound design is atmospheric, with subtle background noises like birds and crickets enhancing the setting. Each space has distinct reverberations, adding authenticity to the environment. The soundtrack feature a lot of familiar songs from recognisable musician.
Even the editing choices in the first act are decent, The car chase, while not action-packed, is visually engaging, thanks to how it was shot with an authentic sense of speed.
The “morning after” scene, where Jabali walks into a room while the audience is kept outside, was another small creative decision that I thought work well.
What didn’t work
While I love the world of 2 Asunder, the concept is overly familiar. Think Ready or Not meets The Godfather with a sprinkle of the Netflix fantasy movie Damsel. It’s not inherently bad, but some tropes are overdone and repetitive.
The script and direction lean heavily into a theatrically inspired sequence of events. At times, the writing feels more like a stage play than a screenplay, with blocking and dialogue choices reflecting this. The drama is over the top, down to a dramatic title card.
The film also didn’t seem to allow much room for improvisation, even when it would have added depth. For example, moments like Kilimo juniour’s interaction with his father and uncles or Jafari’s and Kilimo juniour's conflict could have benefited from a more organic approach to they relationship.
The story itself is convoluted, compressed into an 85-minute runtime. This results in heavy reliance on exposition, especially in the third act, which disrupts the tension.
Some character arcs feel underdeveloped, in fact, characters have storylines designed to drive the story foward rather than substantial character arcs that evolve them over time making it hard to get involuntarily emotionally invested or react to them in certain pivotal moments.
Additionally, there were technical issues, such as noticeable ADR in some scenes. The pacing could have been tighter in the latter half of the second act and early parts of the third act.
Lastly, a few logical inconsistencies required some suspension of disbelief. Like don't the police or any other emergency services exist in the universe?
Smaller critiques
The Kilimo family’s desperation in the face of mounting threats as events go south the morning after isn't entirely convincing, Certain plot points leave questions unanswered: How does the letter in the third act get there? What happens to Kevin Maina’s character?
John Kararahe’s character feels underutilised, at one point I thought he was a bodyguard. Adding 15 minutes to explore the dynamics among Chris Kamau, Donald Ohon, and Sanaipei’s characters could have deepened the family’s complex dynamics especially around the concept of hierarchy of power.
The Kilimo family
Despite its flaws, the world of 2 Asunder is intriguing. I’d love to see more of Sanaipei’s character and the family’s broader influence in this universe.
Conclusion
Would I recommend 2 Asunder to a foreign friend? Absolutely, flaws and all. Its production design, cinematography, and decent performances make it worth watching. While the story needs refining, the film is an enjoyable experience, especially on a big screen.
Director of ‘2 Asunder’ discusses new film project
Where to watch
2 Asunder is showing in cinemas (as of late November and early December 2024). It’s also available on Philitv. If you opt to stream, treat it like buying a theatre ticket and appreciate the convenience, it’s a great way to support Kenyan film culture directly.
