SUPA MODO is a German-Kenyan co-production marking the feature debut of Likarion Wainaina. Following the story of Jo’s (Stycie Waweru) battle with terminal illness and transformation into a ‘superhero’, the film offers a heart-warming look at collective support and perseverance in a small Kenyan village.
Jo dreams of becoming a superhero. Watching in awe at martial arts films and stylised action, she likes to imagine that she too has superpowers. These films keep her imagination running wild despite her life-threatening illness. Brought home from hospital to spend her remaining time with her family, Jo relies on her superhero alter ego ‘Supa Modo’ to escape from reality. Deciding to celebrate instead of mourning the inevitable, her mother Kathryn (Marrianne Nungo) and older sister Mwix (Nyawara Ndambia) set out to make Jo’s dream come true.
If the plot sounds a little bleak, then the film actually takes an optimistic outlook on the situation, buoyed by a spirited performance from the young Waweru. Deciding to only show small glimpses of grief and focus more on the positive, SUPA MODO serves up an inspiring tale which all audiences can find easily relatable. The script does not shy away from Jo’s mortality but utilises this to stress the importance of what one can achieve even when faced with the worst possible outcome.
The heart of the film lies in its community spirit. In a world where we are subjected to news of hate and prejudice on a daily basis, SUPA MODO is a welcome reminder of the good people can do for one another. Filled with vibrant characters and authentic performances, the village truly comes together when they make a film to honour Jo. The villagers’ eagerness for ‘Supa Modo’ to come to life reflects the best in people, containing similar quirks and kindness to that of LARS AND THE REAL GIRL or ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL – another story about capturing life’s intimate moments through amateur filmmaking. The villagers embrace their comic characters, providing foes for Jo’s hero to battle and victims to be saved. The characters remain full of energy despite illness presiding over their film, culminating in a terrific ‘I am Spartacus’ moment to fully capture their shared grief and prove that Jo and her family are not alone.
Of course, the film is not without its share of sombre moments. Kathryn is ever-fearful of Jo’s health and initially reluctant to let her leave the house. Now disinterested in her job as a local midwife, Kathryn reflects the subtleties of grief and waning enthusiasm for day-today life. Also, a traditional Hollywood ending would be a disservice to everything the film stands for. Admiration must also be given for its ability not to seem heavy-handed. Wainaina has enough respect for the audience not to manipulate their emotions, delivering a surprisingly grounded take on terminal illness amidst the superhero antics. While it is not the most complex study of this subject put to film, SUPA MODO would work exceptionally well for younger audiences as an introduction to loss.
By taking a mature subject and injecting it full of colour and humour, Wainaina has crafted a wonderful experience for all ages. Children are sure to marvel and cry at Jo’s story, while adults can appreciate a community gathering to celebrate life and show it is possible to move on from death. Simply put, it is a better superhero film than most of what Hollywood has ever produced.