A Familiar Christmas – Christmas made in Kenya. Catch it on Showmax

“A Familiar Christmas” is a new Kenyan film now streaming on Showmax that follows the Moran family as they reunite for their first Christmas holiday together in three years. However, their plans for a festive holiday are disrupted by secrets and interference from a meddling mother. The film is the first-ever Christmas feature film in Kenya and features an all-Kenyan cast, including Pascal Tokodi, Maureen Kunga, Alice Mbeyu, Dennis Musyoka, Keith Chuaga, Charles Agengo, Ruth Kamanzi, Ann Muli, and Hannah Wanjiku. It was written by Natasha Likimani and directed and produced by award-winning filmmaker Reuben Odanga, who has long wanted to make a Kenyan Christmas project. Odanga’s original idea was to produce a Christmas play with the cast of “Selina,” but it was not possible due to the show’s schedule. He then pitched a crossover film featuring actors from different Maisha Magic shows, but this also did not pan out due to scheduling conflicts. “A Familiar Christmas” was eventually greenlit by Showmax, but production was pushed to 2022.

The film is described as a very Kenyan story with Kenyan nuances, capturing the traditions of food and festivity and depicting how parents can be involved in their children’s personal lives. Odanga hopes that “A Familiar Christmas” will become an annual tradition and that a new Christmas story will be produced every year. “I hope that this can be an annual thing, that we can have a Christmas story every year, moving forward,” he said.

In “A Familiar Christmas,” the Moran family is comprised of a long overdue reunion, a marriage on the rocks, a Ugandan fiancé the family knows nothing about, an old love interest with an agenda, and a meddling mother. The film follows the family as they navigate these challenges and try to enjoy their holiday together. The film touches on themes of love, joy, and warmth, as well as the complexities of family dynamics.

Odanga describes “A Familiar Christmas” as a “real story” that audiences can relate to, with its depiction of Kenyan nuances and traditions. He believes that the film’s appeal lies in its authenticity and the way it captures the essence of a Kenyan Christmas. The film is a celebration of family and the traditions that bring people together during the holiday season. It is a heartwarming tale that is sure to resonate with audiences around the world.

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