Kesho

In a town perched on a hill rich in minerals, the Jamaa family lives a peaceful life. The mother is expecting a new child. The whole family rejoices: soon there will be five of them. But the explosions of the mines, once far away, are coming closer and closer, making the earth tremble. One day the school collapses, killing the headmaster. Thank God it was holiday time, but the whole town was shaken... After the funeral, Mr Jamaa, a respected figure in the town, organises a resistance with the residents to save their housing estate. Despite the residents’ protests and Mr Jamaa’s visits on his motorbike to defend their cause, the authorities’ promises are in vain. The machines continue their destructive work. The mine digs into the hillside, trucks and explosions interrupt life in the town, and the cracks in the houses that still stand widen. As Mrs Jamaa’s belly grows... Residents continue to denounce the situation, but the official radio continues to broadcast false reports. One by one, families gave up the fight and left the estate for good. Shops closed. Conditions worsened. The cracks in the Jamaa family’s home multiply and hope fades. They too decide to leave, importing what they can. On their way out, a new series of explosions, even closer, triggers Mrs Jamaa’s contractions. It’s panic time! Her brave dog sets off to find help, and as the dump trucks move at breakneck speed, the explosions finally cause the hill to collapse, engulfing the destructive machines. Mrs Jamaa and her family narrowly escape thanks to her former neighbour, who was alerted by her dog. I n a makeshift shanty town, a party is organised with all the former residents of the estate to celebrate the arrival of a new baby. Everyone dances, even the dog!