In Conversation with The More Things Change Film Director Akati Khasiani

The More Things Change is a fiction anthology feature film from the Nest Collective 2 years in the making, that was released this month and premiered at the NBO Festival. Made in partnership with Forum Civ, as part of the Wajibu Wetu program, it is a unique narrative of exploring political resistance in Kenya through different eras including a speculative future. Co-directed by Collective members Akati Khasiani and Mars Maasai, the film explores what happens when an ordinary girl takes on a powerful adversary at great personal cost. It stars Nyawara Ndambia (Supa Modo), Melvin Alusa (Mission To Rescue, Crime and Justice, The First Grader, The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind), Bryan Ngatia (Too Early For Birds), Emmanuel Mugo (Sense8, Pillow Talk, This Is Life) and young luminary Stycie Waweru (Supa Modo, Just In Time, Lusala). Dr. Akati Khasiani is a storyteller and musician. She DJs under the name Atiani, favouring old-skool and throwback mixes. She is one of the lead artists behind Strictly Silk, a unique dance party whose guests, artists and service providers are diverse women and non-binary people only. She has a strong interest in the presence and participation of queer persons and femmes in and around African cultures, communities and spiritualities. Her work has been published at Jalada Africa, and she has been expanding her storytelling practice into film and other genres.