Watu Wote: All of Us, or simply Watu Wote is a 2017 Kenyan-German, live-action short film directed by Katja Benrath, as her graduation project at Hamburg Media School. The film is based on a December 2015 bus attack by Al-Shabaab in Mandera, Kenya. The film received critical acclaim, winning a Student Academy Award for Narrative, and received an Academy Award nomination for Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film at the 90th Academy Awards. Production faced difficulties when the crew's camera was stolen before filming had begun.
Plot Jua, a Christian living in Kenya, boards a chartered bus to visit a relative and is uncomfortable being surrounded by Muslim passengers. The bus is stopped by the violent terrorist group Al-Shabaab, whose members demand that the Muslims identify the Christian passengers.
Cast Barkhad Abdirahman as Abdirashid Adan Faysal Ahmed as Hassan Yaqub Ali (Al-Shabaab Leader) Mahad Ahmed as Passenger Abdiwali Farrah as Salah Farah Charles Karumi as Issa Osman Alex Khayo as GSU officer Gerald Langiri as GSU officer Justin Mirichii as James Ouma Saada Mohammed as Astuhr Douglas Muigai as GSU officer Adelyne Wairimu as Jua
Reception Critical reception On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 100% based on 9 reviews, with an average rating of 8.2/10.
Awards and nominations Winner: (Gold Plaque) Student Academy Award for Best International Film School - Narrative Nominated for Best Live Action Short Film at the 90th Academy Awards.
References
External links Wote: All of Us at Hamburg Media School Watu Wote: All of Us at Hamburg Film Festival