Lupita Nyong’o and Her Effect on the Kenyan Film Industry: CNN

his week on CNN’s Inside Africa, Soni Methu travels to Nairobi to explore how the success of multiple award-winner and rising Hollywood star, Lupita Nyong’o, is playing a role in Kenya’s thriving creative arts industry.

Soni Methu visits Kenya’s oldest theatre, The Phoenix Players, which has been the proving ground for many of the country’s best actors, including Lupita Nyong’o. Phoenix Players has a proud history spanning more than three decades as the only production theatre in East and Central Africa. It is considered one of the most established theatre companies in East Africa.

Inside Africa also meets one of Nairobi’s most experienced thespians, David Opondoe, who has shared the stage with Lupita in an earlier production.

“Lupita has really done us some very good things. First of all she has opened the eyes of the public to the public that theatre is not just a pastime – it is something that can provide employment for example, it can change the way parents view the careers of their children,” says Opondoe.

‘Inside Africa’ learns that the South African TV channel M-Net has since commissioned more than 50 films from Kenya for its Africa Magic shows on digital and satellite TV. According to the Kenyan Film Commission Chairman, Chris Foot, the commission is also working at harnessing the Lupita glory by building up the local film industry and local content and encouraging people to come and make movies in Kenya.

The Lupita Effect is certainly rubbing off on young aspiring actors in Kenya. Soni also visits the school where Lupita’s acting talent was discovered in drama lessons and meets a new generation of students seeking to follow in her footsteps.

Watch this story on CNN’s ‘Inside Africa,’ this Friday, 22 August at 1930

The show will be aired again at the following times:

Saturday, 23 August  1330 and 2030

Sunday, 24 August    0630

Monday, 25 August   0330

Tuesday, 26 August  1130

Thursday, 27 August 0830