LATELY,
Title: Lately
Format: Short film
Genre: Surreal drama
Director: David Wachira
Producer: Brian Ndegwa
Filming Location: Juja, Kenya
THE FILM
When the world goes quiet, the mind can take you anywhere.
A young man can't sleep. As he tries to quiet his wandering mind, his thoughts begin to pull him somewhere unexpected into a surreal world where he comes face to face with his foe.
Blurring the line between self-reflection and existential crisis, Lately explores those moments when the day is over, distractions fade, and we're left alone with everything happening inside our heads.
It's a film about the thoughts we follow, the feelings we struggle to make sense of, and how easily a moment of reflection can become something much harder to navigate.
WHEN YOUR THOUGHTS WON'T LET YOU REST
Sometimes, the hardest part of the day begins when everything else stops.
With no distractions to turn to, the mind starts wandering. One thought leads to another, and before long, you're somewhere you never intended to be replaying moments, questioning things, or trying to understand feelings that don't have easy answers.
Lately, takes that familiar experience and gives it a surreal form. Rather than treating the mind as a place where everything can be neatly figured out, the film explores the uncertainty of being alone with your thoughts and the strange places they can lead.
THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY
For director David Wachira, LATELY, began in a season of transition. Having finished university, he found himself between chapters of life, trying to make sense of the uncertainty and pressure that came with not knowing what was next.
He wanted to capture that feeling on screen — the jumble of thoughts that can come with being in between where you have been and where you hope to go.
David spoke with Brian Ndegwa, Yobbie, about how they could translate that feeling into images. Together, they worked on the script, finding a way to express an experience that can be difficult to put into words.
One of David's most memorable moments came while working with actor Darren Odhiambo. When Darren first read the script, he connected deeply with its emotions. During the mirror scene, he conveyed the character's inner turmoil without a single line of dialogue. For David, it was confirmation that Darren was right for the role.
The production itself was just as much an exercise in making things work. The team filmed on a hot day in a dry, desolate location in Juja, with a crew of only three. Despite the conditions, the team's energy and commitment carried them through.
In post-production, composer Kiseu's music helped elevate the film. As David neared the end of editing, he stumbled across Nawekulo's music on SoundCloud and found what felt like the perfect ending.
For David, the film became a reminder of what collaboration can make possible — and how things can fall into place when you decide to begin, even without having everything figured out.
FROM THE FILMMAKERS
The hope is that audiences experience a sense of being seen, especially those who recognise something of themselves in the emotions the film explores.
Because the experience of being lost in your own thoughts is not always easy to explain. Sometimes, seeing a feeling expressed on screen can help you recognise it in yourself — and remind you that you're not the only one who has been there.
THE TEAM
Director: David Wachira
Producer: Brian Ndegwa
Writer: David Wachira and Brian Ndegwa
Featured performer: Darren Odhiambo
Composer: Kiseu
WHERE DOES YOUR MIND GO?
When you're alone with your thoughts, do you find clarity or do you sometimes get lost looking for it?
Lately, invites us to sit with that question and recognise the feelings that can surface when life slows down and the mind takes over.
SEE IT AT MMM VOL. 5
LATELY, screens as part of Mini Movie Marathon Vol. 5.
14 November 2026 · Nairobi
Come watch. Sit with it. Talk about it.
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