“Malooned” is a great film by Bob Nyanja that explores what happens when two people get stuck in a public bathroom and are unable to get out. They are a male and a female from two ethnic tribes that have a history of not getting along. As they spend time together, they learn more about each other and share the things that they have heard about each other. Nyanja builds up the scenes well and uses a great storyline to expose the issues that are behind the tribalism that is perpetuated in society. The characters are as stuck in their minds as they are in the bathroom, and it is not until they have opened their minds to take an objective view of each other that the door to freedom opens.

Gabriella Mutia (Di) and Godfrey Odhiambo (Luther), perform with a convincing passion as they portray their characters flaws and strengths. They help make the story believable and draw you in to who the characters are –so much so that you forget that they are in a public bathroom. The script is well written, and the background music appropriate. “Malooned” won two awards (including a Silver Dhow for Feature Film in 2007 ) at the Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF). To learn more about this movie, or to get information about where to buy it, visit the official web site.