Imara (2017), film still

Imara

2017 • International Short
Filmmaker: Samuel Wanjohi Chege

About this Short Film

Imara (2017) by Samuel Wanjohi Chege follows Kenyan cyclist Samuel Mundy as he recounts his rise from single‑speed travel biking to competitive races and the crashes that culminated in a hospitalised, career‑changing injury. The film is shaped by Mundy’s candid first‑person reflections, balancing the thrill of competition with the practical, emotional and communal realities of recovery. Its tone is direct and quietly determined rather than sensational, offering nuanced insight into cycling culture, risk, identity and the adjustments that follow serious injury. Audiences interested in sport, mobility and lived experience will find value in its honest, person‑centred perspective, making Imara a thoughtful addition to the Focus on Ability International Short programme.

Film Details

Country: Kenya
Category: International Short
Festival Year: 2017
Filmmaker: Samuel Wanjohi Chege

Film Transcript

My name is Samuel Mundy. I'm a cyclist and I started cycling around 11 years ago. I took to travel biking; it was an easy way to be mobile, so I decided to buy a single-speed bike. I started visiting other places, and while I was visiting other places I met up with cyclists. I decided to join the train. When I went to the front, I did my best; they were not expecting it. On the way back I decided this pace was too slow for me, so I just broke away, and to end my first race was my first win. I felt like, "Ah, I'm going to be a champion in this," so I decided to just join the second, and that's how I started.

The second tour in 2016 we were well prepared to do the Tour of Rwanda. I crashed twice on the second day. First, somebody crashed in front of me and I ran into him. The second was a stupid mistake. Crashing twice in a day and you still have five days to go — that was very difficult for me. Unfortunately, on our last day I crashed again. I tried to get up but I couldn't pick myself back up and continue. I just saw the blood; it was like it was shooting up. I just said, "Oh God, everything is on you, you take control."

The morning when I woke up, I saw all my doctors. They then said, "OK, munguia, we have something else ready." The leg was dead, so the solution was complicated. I didn't feel like it was the end of my career, so I was giving everyone who came to visit me in the hospital courage. When I put up the cutter booba, turn around Alicia told dr. dozous rule Atoka cocuwa by Cheka do binocs vacation. I didn't refer to Sam — I think it's how he chose to be — so I decided not to be weak but to be strong for others.

How I was brought up, it's like there are those who haven't made it in life, so I'm trying to show them that it's not about how you are but what you want to do. Then Flores Massif in Indonesia I've done. Bow out; that in Australia I've done. Tour a bunch of Eritrea and Ethiopia — still be ready. I see myself winning 2020 in Tokyo. For me, I don't see anything except the only thing I have: my mind, my set-up, my energy.

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Filmmaker

Samuel Wanjohi Chege is the filmmaker behind this entry. See every Focus on Ability entry from Samuel Wanjohi Chege.

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4 comments
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Dj Kev 7/08/2017

Great piece of work.

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Angeline Angie 7/08/2017

What a film wow I'm really challenged. Good job Sam and Sam. Hope you win -

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Sammy Kimeu 28/07/2017

Nothing but a win for This one all to the Glory of God

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Samuel Tiffa 26/07/2017

Such a strong story Deserves a win. Al the best.

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