Filmed with a gentle pace and incredible closeness, The Letter is a gripping family drama about a 95-year-old Grandmother with a fearless spirit who must overcome dangerous accusations of witchcraft that are coming from within her own family. Her grandson Karisa, travels home from the city to investigate, and it gradually emerges who sent the threatening letter and why.
But his Grandmother is not the only elder accused. A volatile mix of consumerism, Christianity and a systemic erasure of the past, is turning hundreds of families against their elders, branding them as witches as a means to steal their ancestral land.
As Karisa delicately navigates between his disputing aunties and uncles, the love for his Grandmother must overcome the imminent danger of the accusations against her.
The inevitable universal theme of how land is divided when an elder dies, is entangled by the chaotic mixture of traditions of the past with the newly imposed influence of western values and religion. The understated power of women, alongside the resilience of family and community shines above all else, despite the growing threat of greed and a growing division between young and old.
What the critics say…
“Exceptionally Charismatic”
“Indestructible Female Power”
“Magical”
A CIRCLE AND SQUARE PRODUCTION
STREAMING NOW ON VIMEO-ON-DEMAND
Original Soundtrack
Co-director of The Letter, Maia Lekow, also a prominent Kenyan musician, was inspired over the six years of filming to compose a poignant original score for the film.
Composing mostly with vocals and guitar, Maia joined forces with Emmy-winning, Toronto-based composer Ken Myhr to grow the sonic and emotional range of 9 original tracks. Maia's rich vocal textures act as a spiritual guardian for Grandma and the vulnerable elders of the film, and we are pleased to make it available for all, via your favourite streaming platforms.
All songs written & performed by Maia Lekow & Ken Myhr.
Except 10 by Utamaduni Brass Band, and 11 by Vidze Kaladze Vidze
Percussion by Kasiva Mutua
Additional Cello by Anne Bourne
Mixed by Nico Berthold at Viktoria Studios, Berlin
SCREENINGS
Click to view screening details
AFI Docs Q&A with directors Maia Lekow & Christopher King + film protagonist Karisa Kamango, mediated by AFI Docs programmer Eric Moore.
TEAM
Maia Lekow
Director / Producer / Composer / Sound Recordist
Maia is a Kenyan musician and filmmaker, known prominently as the front-woman of the explosive band Maia & The Big Sky. The Letter is her feature debut, co-directed and produced with husband Christopher King. Maia was named a goodwill ambassador for UNHCR in 2013 and received an African Movie Academy Award for her song ‘Uko Wapi” in 2009. Currently performing across international stages with her band, Maia has also composed a hauntingly beautiful original score for The Letter.
CHRISTOPHER KING
Director / Producer / Cinematographer / Editor
Christopher King is an award-winning filmmaker. Australian by birth, he has worked in Kenya for 13 years, having founded Circle & Square Productions with his wife Maia in Nairobi, 2009. He was awarded that same year an African Movie Academy Award for editing, and has worked within the East African film industry as a freelance cinematographer, editor and director.
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