Daudi Anguka’s never-say-die spirit earns him Netflix fame

For a man who used to hire cameras for Sh50 to shoot films, Daudi Anguka is today living his dream, having produced the first-ever coastal film to air on Netflix.

Anguka, a filmmaker and CEO of AR Films Productions, has always had a passion for storytelling.

"My entire life has been in Jomvu, this is where I was born, raised and went to school," he says.

His interest in filmmaking began when he was in Form Three at Kajembe High School.

“Our teacher trained us, and though I initially played handball just so as to attend functions outside school, I found my true talent in filmmaking. I started making films and felt this was what I wanted to pursue.'

After completing high school, financial constraints prevented Anguka from pursuing higher education immediately. He helped his mother in her business of selling samosas.

During this time, an opportunity with UNICEF allowed him to start learning about filmmaking. This experience laid the foundation for his future career. Returning to Mombasa, Anguka began creating films that won local awards.

His first ever 2016 film Zilzala won an MVCA award in Nigeria in 2017. This was an exciting moment for him, which made him realise the great potential there was in filmmaking.

Zilzala opened doors to other projects like the Pete series, Kaidi which aired on NTV, Nia which aired on Star Times, Nyanya Rukia and Sanura.

His latest film production is Mvera which is on Netflix, an American subscription video on-demand internet streaming service.

Despite the challenges of working in an industry with limited resources, Anguka remained committed to his vision.

"When I entered the film industry in Mombasa, it was struggling. There were no producers, and resources like food, water, and transportation while on shooting schedules were scarce," he explains.

The Kenyan filmmaker is using his work to champion local culture, much like the South African film industry. His latest project Mvera is a poignant reflection of this mission.

Anguka emphasises the importance of telling local stories and showcasing coastal culture.

"Nairobi is kind of explored and that is okay. But I always direct people to come to the coast when they want to do a project with me because it is my home. My language is Kiswahili, and I want people to fall in love with it, just like they do with South African films where they showcase their languages and cultures. What we lack is a way for people to relate to our Kenyan culture. We need to use our own identity in films," he says.

Mvera is an emotional thriller about corruption and organ trafficking, which premiered on Netflix on July 5, 2024, after receiving an Oscars nomination for best international feature film.

The film’s success has not only highlighted coastal talent but has also the potential to boost local tourism.

"It is a modern story set at the coast, reflecting real-life struggles and aspirations. When people finish high school, everyone is looking for ways to make money to go abroad. Then, someone comes along offering to take them there for free. Once the community knows that there's someone who can help, they rarely question his or her intentions,” Anguka explains.

Mvera follows the story of a young girl from the Kenyan coast who goes abroad in search of her mother. Despite her grandmother’s pleas to stay, Mvera is driven by the love and the teachings she received from her grandmother, embarking on a journey that reveals deeper truths about her community. The film touches on modern issues, including the subtle forms of modern-day slavery, drawing parallels to real-life events in places like Shakahola.

Mvera lead actress Linah Sande. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

Anguka began his filmmaking journey in 2011. By 2014, he had founded AR Films Production, which has grown to include five TV series and four movies.

AR Films, which will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in December, has made significant strides, earning accolades both locally and internationally.

The filmmaker has won several awards, including the Coast Film Festival Awards for Best Upcoming Director in 2014 and Best Director and Best Director of Photography in 2016, as well as the

Kalasha International 2024 awards for Best Viewers’ Choice Award Feature Film, Best Director, and Best Feature Film for Mvera.

Anguka says his main vision is to use coastal cities like Kwale for their stunning scenery and cultural richness. He believes these locations offer untapped potential for storytelling.

"Kwale feels like home. It is green, beautiful, and full of mystery," he says, emphasising the importance of filming in environments that resonate with the narrative.

The filmmaker is committed to including new faces in his projects, focusing on performance over fame. His casting of a theatre actress in Mvera drew praise, demonstrating his belief in nurturing and showcasing local talent.

This approach, he hopes, will lead to greater recognition of Kenyan stories on global platforms like Netflix.

“Music also plays a crucial role in my films, with local musicians contributing to the scores. By incorporating local music into my films, I aim to show that Kenyan music can find a place on international stages like Netflix, encouraging local artists to invest in the film industry,” he says.

His resilience and strategic thinking have seen him through tough times, from borrowing cameras to now owning equipment worth millions of shillings.

“I had an idea that I would be on Netflix and today I am on Netflix, trending at number one. Zilzala is the movie that will always be my baby. It won me my first international award. I shot it with the little resources I had, borrowing as I went along,” says Anguka.

Despite the challenges, including a dangerous car stunt during the filming of Mvera that resulted in an accident, the filmmaker remains optimistic.

“The driver did not stop where he was supposed to; we had to rush him to the hospital. It was a car we had borrowed from Chirau Ali Mwakwere (Former Matuga MP),” says Anguka.

Locally, Mvera premiered at the Nyali Cinemax in Mombasa before being screened nationwide.

Mvera’s lead actress Linah Sande, says she started acting in high school and ventured into it professionally in 2014.

She reveals that she never studied film but after finishing high school she ventured into theatre in Mombasa.

Mvera has been a significant success, with Sande winning the Best Lead Actress award at the 13th Edition of the Kalasha Awards and the film receiving international recognition.

She is grateful to Anguka, noting that the belief he had in her made her realise her dreams.