Nairobi Half Life, the feature directorial debut of Kenyan filmmaker Daniel “Tosh” Gitonga, follows Mwas (Joseph Wairimu), a young, aspiring actor from upcountry Kenya who dreams of becoming a success in the city of opportunity: Nairobi. Traveling to the crime-ridden Kenyan capital to follow his dreams, Mwas quickly understands why Nairobi is nicknamed “Nairobbery.” Robbed of his money and belongings, and left alone in a city where he doesn’t know a soul, luck, or the lack of it, brings him face to face with a young, small time gang leader who gives Mwas a chance to earn a living. Drawn into a new world of theft and violence, Mwas still tries to pursue his dream of becoming an actor. But caught between two social classes, and between a life of crime and a life on the stage, Mwas struggles to keep his identity-and his life.

In Swahili, Kikuyu and English with English subtitles.

Director: David ‘Tosh’ Gitonga 2012 Kenya/Germany 96min. NR digital