In brief
Michelle Lemuya Ikeny plays Nawi, a schoolgirl who fights against being sold into marriage. The film, set in Turkana, Kenya, aims to stimulate discussion on this critical issue that affects many girls locally.
Michelle Lemuya Ikeny, a 15-year-old actress from northwestern Kenya, is passionately advocating against child marriage through her role in a film that draws on her own experiences. In this coming-of-age story, Michelle plays Nawi, a 13-year-old girl at risk of being sold into marriage to a wealthy elder named Shadrack. "I want the movie to spark conversations about this topic, because it's really not something people want to talk about," Michelle tells the BBC, aware of the potential backlash from her community. The film sheds light on an alarming reality in Turkana, where, according to the UN, one in four girls is married before the age of 18. Michelle's emotional portrayal has already earned her an Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Promising Actor, despite having no prior acting experience. Many of her peers have been compelled to leave school due to early marriages, prompting her to draw strength and authenticity from their stories in her performance.The gripping narrative unfolds as Nawi discovers her exceptional exam results only to be met with the devastating news of her arranged marriage. In a desperate bid for freedom, she fakes a period and escapes to pursue her educational dreams in Nairobi, eventually returning to confront her family's choices when she learns her baby sister is next in line to be wed.Milcah Cherotich, the film's writer, reflects on her sister’s own experience with forced marriage at 14, underscoring the deeply entrenched, yet often ignored, issue of child marriage. Despite potential criticism, Cherotich aims to change hearts and spark dialogues about the subject.The film's release aligns with broader global efforts to combat child marriage, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, which holds the highest rates of child marriages. Despite progress, organizations like UNICEF stress that the pace of change must accelerate to meet global targets.Directors Toby Schmutzler and Apuu Mourrine are now focused on spreading the message through screenings not just in urban centers but also in remote areas like Kakuma refugee camp, where they've received positive feedback. The initiative includes establishing a school for girls, further endorsing the film's ethos that education is crucial to breaking the cycle of child marriage.Michelle believes that raising awareness is critical. "When you watch the movie, try to put yourself in the shoes of Nawi," she urges, emphasizing the need for empathy for the millions of girls experiencing similar struggles worldwide. "When somebody comes and takes it away - it's the worst feeling ever."
