Softie

Boniface "Softie" Mwangi is a renowned Kenyan photojournalist who witnessed the violence that erupted in the aftermath of the Kenyan elections in 2007. For years he has dedicated his life to the fight against corrupt politicians. As a result, he has spent many nights in jail, beaten-up by the police. Even though it is difficult to balance being a family man with a wife and two small children and being politically active, the activist in him refuses to sit still. Tired of demonstrating, Boniface decides to run for office. But where his political opponents offer potential voters with t-shirts and some money, all penniless Boniface can promise is to fight for the weak, should he rise to power. As many of the voters live from hand to mouth, his altruistic visions are not engaging to the majority. Is he able to convince the voters of the need for change, and will his family tolerate his new role as a politician?

Director Sam Soko paints an intimate and inspiring portrait of the activist "Softie" who fights against the negative consequences of Kenya's still prevalent colonial heritage. The politicians are described as either corrupt, incompetent, or both. At the same time, Soko shows how family life pays the price when the goal is nothing less than to change society.

Gjermund Granlund

Director

Sam Soko works as a director and producer in Nairobi, Kenya. He is a co-founder of the production company LBx Afrika. Softie is his first full-length documentary. It premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival where it won a Special Jury Award for Editing.