CHRISTOPHER KING, MAIA LEKOW | KENYA | 2025 | 110 MIN | ENGLISH, KISWAHILI
In the heart of Nairobi, a once-grand colonial library, long abandoned and forgotten, becomes the site of a remarkable endeavor by two Kenyan women. Shiro, a writer, and Wachuka, a publisher, dedicate their time to reviving the McMillan Memorial Library, not only by restoring the building but also transforming it into a vibrant cultural space for Kenyan literature and the community. Their multi-year struggle involves cataloging books, fundraising, and negotiating with established institutions, revealing both the highs and lows of cultural renewal. As their vision expands, the library’s transformation carries symbolic weight: A place that was once a site of inequality now holds the potential to serve as a hub for collective memory and imagination. Directors Maia Lekow and Christopher King weave archival fragments with present-day observations, charting a journey that moves between optimism and challenge, ultimately questioning how cultural heritage can be reclaimed in the shadow of colonial legacies.
Part of the Philadelphia Film Festival's PFF ON US State of the Union series.
Compelling stories offering unparalleled perspectives into communities around the world, hand-picked for our communities here at home. Films in the Community Screenings section are free to attend, thanks to the PFS on Us ticketing program.
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