Movie on diabetes stigma to be released
B y A n n e A g wata A movie challenging the stereotypes associated with diabetes is set to hit our screens soon , Filamu Kenya can confirm .
Too Sweet is set to lay bare common stereotypes and challenges that diabetic people go through while running their affairs .
Too Sweet ’ s main actor , Gerald Langiri , revealed the motivation behind him taking up the role which is different from his usual comic ones .
“ My mum happens to be diabetic and I could therefore relate . I am also pre-diabetic and if I am not careful , I might get diabetes in the future ,” he notes .
“ The chance to be part of a project that has a social message was one I could not let pass .”
Langiri plays the role of Jim , a young man who is forced to grapple with the reality that he is diabetic even though he is unaware of how this will change his life .
He hides his insulin tabs , and nobody knows what is going on in his life . Even his closest friend Raphael ( Sam Kihiu ), a man who knows no embarrassment , is kept in the dark about Jim ’ s health .
Jim ’ s life takes a twist when he falls in love with his coworker ( Wahu Kariuki ). Their simple office affair escalates to a point where they move in together . At this point , Jim has two options ; confess to his true love that he has a lifethreatening yet manageable condition or lose her along with his life .
Will their love last ? Will Grace be able to cope
10 with Jim and his condition ?
Jim will lose his job , friends and dignity all in a bid to hide that he is diabetic .
According to the producer , Jamal Anjuri , “ Too Sweet ” gives a wakeup call to the public , more so Kenyans , on how serious diabetes can be .
“ About five percent of deaths in Kenya are directly attributed to diabetes , the fourth leading cause of death globally ,” says Anjuri .
“ The film touches on issues that affect diabetics - from stigma , mismanagement and an ignorant community regarding the disease ” adds Anjuri .
Langiri , who was to play the role of Jim ’ s friend Raphael , ( who is comical ), landed the role by sheer circumstance when the designated actor pulled out at the last minute .
“ Too Sweet gives a wakeup call to the public , and possibly Kenya , about how serious diabetes can be . It does not however take away that you are watching a movie . No , this is not your preachy type of movie about diabetes but gives a subtle look into the lives of many people who are diabetic ,” adds Langiri , who is also known for his comical role in House of Lungula , Fundimentals , and Shit Happens !
“ Playing a character with real life scenarios was the difficult part . I had to do a lot of research on the condition and on patients who are diabetic and how they act when they get attacks ,” he narrates .
“ For some days , I would not apply oil on my body just to make my skin look a bit dry . I even had to starve myself a little to get those irritable hunger pangs portrayed by some diabetic patients ,” recounts Langiri .
Non-communicable diseases are the leading cause of
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