THE MAN WHO FRAMED A NATION
Country
Kenya
Runtime
15 minutes
Format
Short Documentary
Director
Wambua Mutie
Writer
Fidel Malit
Producer
Catheleen Muthoni
THE FILM
A man whose camera documented a nation’s journey to independence finally steps into the frame, revealing the untold story behind the images that shaped its history.
The Man Who Framed a Nation is a short documentary chronicling the life and legacy of a cameraman whose lens captured Kenya’s journey to independence and the defining moments that followed.
Trained by the BBC in London, he returned home to document the birth of a nation before serving in government, leaving behind an extraordinary visual record of Kenya’s history.
Through his story, the film turns its lens toward the people who help shape a nation’s memory; exploring memory, legacy and the enduring power of images.
THE MAN BEHIND THE IMAGE
Some of Kenya’s historical images have a story behind the camera, too.
The Man Who Framed a Nation tells the story of Mzee Gitau, a cameraman whose work captured significant moments in Kenya’s history, including Munyao Kisoi’s iconic flag-planting photograph at Mt. Kenya.
His story invites us to look beyond the images we remember and towards the people who made it possible for those moments to be remembered.
BEHIND THE FILM
The idea for the film began with a conversation between the filmmakers and Cathy Muthoni, the producer and daughter of Mzee Gitau. When she shared her father’s story, they were immediately drawn to his remarkable role in documenting Kenya’s formative years.
Over four months, the team met with Mzee Gitau several times, discovering a man with countless stories, plenty of character and a wealth of experiences to share.
Bringing the story together also meant navigating the challenge of finding archival material to support his memories.
Through relationships and research, the team was able to piece together the images and material that form the film.
The result is a glimpse into an extraordinary life and a reminder that there are still so many Kenyan stories waiting to be told.
FROM THE DIRECTOR
“When I first learned about Mzee Gitau, I was struck by the fact that many images shaping Kenya’s journey to independence were created by someone whose own story has rarely been told.
I wanted to bring that story into the present. Because his legacy lives through photographs and moving images, archival material became the natural language of this film.
More than anything, this film is a reminder that some of the people who shape our history aren't always the ones remembered.”
— Wambua Mutie, Director
THE TEAM
Wambua Mutie
Director
Fidel Malit
Writer · Director of Photography
Catheleen Muthoni
Producer · Narration
Daniel Muuo
Editor
Full Credits
Starring: Francis Njuguna Gitau
Archivist: Mugambu Mwenda
Logistics Manager: Kipchumba Kiprop
Drone Footage: Justus Arisi
Archived Files: Kenya Broadcasting Corporation
A STORY TO CARRY WITH YOU
The filmmakers hope audiences leave with a deeper sense of pride in Kenyan and African stories — and in the people whose work helped shape the country and culture we know today.
SEE IT AT MMM VOL. 5
The Man Who Framed a Nation is screening as part of Mini Movie Marathon Vol. 5.
14 November 2026 · Nairobi
Come discover the stories behind the stories.
GET YOUR TICKET →
