German Newsletter
ARRI Film & TV Newsletter 24/10

Esteemed clients, dear friends of ARRI,

Enclosed, please find the most recent edition of the ARRI Film & TV newsletter, this time on the occasion of the theatrical release of Soul Boy. Told from the point of view of the children of Kibera, what the film's director, Hawa Essuman, has created is not only an exciting and wonderful fairy tale, but also an authentic account of life in one of Africa's largest slums. Tom Tykwer mentored the director and supervised the story development.

Enjoy the read.

All the best,
Angela Reedwisch und Walter Brus

Opening in German theaters on December 2, 2010: Soul Boy

Director: Hawa Essuman Mentor: Tom Tykwer Screenplay: Billy Kahora DoP: Christian Almesberger Editor: Ng´ehte Gitungo Sound Supervisor / Re-recording Mixer: Matthias Lempert Production Company: Marie Steinmann & Tom Tykwer, One Fine Day Films German Distributor: X-Verleih DI Grading: Bianca Pieroth VFX Producer: Dominik Trimborn, Nina Knott Title Design: Lutz Lemke   ARRI Services: Lab, 2K Digital Intermediate, Visual Effects, Title Design, HD-Mastering ARRI Rental: Camera, Lighting

Kenyan-Ghanaian director Hawa Essuman's feature film debut, Soul Boy, is a fresh and realistic portrayal of the desire of all young people to shape their own futures. It is also the story of a friendship that must overcome barriers to survive. The idea for Soul Boy came from One Fine Day Films, a unique production company founded by Marie Steinmann and Tom Tykwer, who have worked in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya, for many years. As producers of the film, Steinmann and Tykwer filled the key positions, such as the director, the writer, the DoP and the editor, with young Kenyans, eager to learn. They received assistance from one European advisor. The screenplay was written by Kenyan writer Billy Kahora, and DoP Christian Almesberger captured the vivid images.

On behalf of One Fine Day Films, ARRI Film & TV rendered the following services: lab work (35 mm 2-perforation), 2K Digital Intermediate (Colorist: Bianca Pieroth), VFX (Producer: Dominik Trimborn, Nina Knott), title design (Lutz Lemke) and HD mastering. ARRI Rental supplied the camera (ARRICAM LT, 2-perforation) and light equipment.

Left: Producer Tom Tykwer, Director Hawa Essuman and Writer Billy Kahora on set Right: Abila (Samson Odhiambo) and Shiku (Leila Dayan Opolla) solving the first mystery © X-Film Verleih

Nairobi, Kenya. 14 year-old Abila lives with his parents in Kibera, one of the largest slums in East Africa. One morning the teenager discovers his father ill and delirious. Someone has stolen his soul, mumbles the father as he sits huddled in a corner. Abila is shocked and confused but wants to help his father and goes in search of a suitable cure.Supported by his friend Shiku who is the same age as him, he learns that his father has gambled his soul away in the company of a spiritual woman.

The teenager doesn't want to believe it and sets about looking for the witch. When he finally discovers her in the darkest corner of the ghetto, she gives him seven challenging tasks to save his father's lost soul. Abila embarks on an adventurous journey which leads him right through the microcosm of his home town.