Written and directed by Zippy Kimundu and Meena Nanji, a Kenyan woman’s (Wanjugu Kimathi) quest to fulfil the wishes of her mother becomes an investigation into British colonial atrocities and a grassroots movement to reclaim ancestral land.
It’s an undeniable fact that during British colonial times, horrific acts were committed against many countries, much of which still has ramifications today. Our Land, Our Freedom presents a good example of the lingering damage, with families still searching for the graves of their loved ones and fighting to regain the land that they lost. Zippy Kimundu and Meena Nanji quickly establish the casual cruelty which Wanjugu Kimathi’s ancestors faced. A violent and uncompromising sense of entitlement leading to death and the destruction of communities.
One of the interesting things about how these filmmakers approach the topic is that the anger and injustice is clear, yet the tone and atmosphere are not filled with rage but a simpler honesty and that feeling of a quest. They capture the tenacity and commitment of Kimathi, the sincere dedication she puts into righting these wrongs, even at the risk of her own safety. Some of the details she discovers along the way are genuinely harrowing. Yet the film is never darkened by that and also includes many sweet moments between Kimathi and her mother.
There’s plenty to explore within this topic, both the past and the current fight but it doesn’t always feel like the style of Our Land, Our Freedom is entirely doing it justice. It certainly gets across the poignancy of the issue, but it moves with a surprisingly slow pace and the tone is much too even. It struggles to build a more natural ebb and flow to the energy, the directorial style is very simple and grounded. So, while it does work, there’s something missing to take it further, to give its voice a bigger punch.
Our Land, Our Freedom captures one of many dark moments in British history which too often are swept under the rug, while people like Wanjugu Kimathi continue to push for recognition and reparation. It’s a subject that definitely deserves an even longer, louder conversation because the atrocities the documentary explores are likely only the tip of the iceberg. Kimathi provides a strong lead to seek out justice, and while the editing and directorial styles can be lacking, there’s an important story to be told.
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