Supa Modo
With Stycie Waweru, Marrianne Nungo, Nyawara Ndambia.
Germany/Kenya, 2018, DCP, color, 74 min.
English, Kikuyu and Swahili with English subtitles.
DCP source: Juno Films
Obsessed with Jackie Chan and action films, terminally ill Jo, a brave and witty nine-year-old, finds comfort in her dreams of being a superhero. When her mother takes her back to her rural village to live out the rest of her short life, her teenage sister Mwix motivates the entire village of Maweni to make Jo’s dream come true. Stunning newcomer Stycie Waweru as Jo makes us believe that superheroes really do come in all ages, shapes and sizes in this tremendously moving drama. This honest and inspiring story about the strength of young people in the face of adversity is brought to us by first-time feature filmmaker Likarion Wainaina, with the help of co-producer Tom Tykwer. Supa Modo won more than twenty prizes at international film festivals, including the 2019 European Children’s Film Association award.
Age recommendation: 11+. Content advisory: This uplifting film deals with difficult issues, including the impending death of a child.