Aug. 01, 2021|India|99 Min.|R
Genre: Crime;Mystery;South;Indian;Thriller
Description: The inspiration for the film began in 2015 when Njue Kevin, the writer and director, came across a newspaper article. It was based on a real-life tragedy in which a man bled in an ambulance for 18 hours because Kenyatta National Hospital claimed it lacked an ICU bed. This sparked the idea of creating a powerful film that could entertain while also driving social change. Producer Phoebe Ruguru joined the project, and script development involved consultations with doctors and emergency technicians who were deeply involved throughout the process. Njue emphasized the importance of accuracy, calling it a medical thriller that needed to stay true to the medical community.
The casting process was open to the public and primarily included Kenyan actors, though applications came from around the world, including from LA, Hollywood, London, and Germany. Out of 1,000 applicants, only 25 were selected. After completing the script, Njue collaborated with a storyboard artist, spending four weeks in his Nairobi apartment to create sketches and images that visually conveyed the story. “Eighteen Hours” premiered in East African theaters on 10 November 2017 to a sold-out audience, with notable figures like Kenyan athlete David Rudisha attending the launch. Rudisha also participated in the marketing campaign to advocate for improved emergency response systems in Kenya.
The film received positive reviews in Kenya, with critics praising Njue Kevin and his team for their boldness in creating “Eighteen Hours.” Released in 2017, it marked Njue’s directorial debut and starred Nick Ndeda, Sue Wanjiru, Brian Ogola, Isaya Evans, and Shirleen Wangari. The story follows a rookie paramedic who struggles for 18 hours in an ambulance to save the life of a road accident victim denied hospital admission. The film made history as the first Kenyan production to be nominated for Best Overall Film at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards in 2018, earning four other nominations.
Cast director: Rajesh Nair
Cast actor: Shyamaprasad, Vijay Babu, Indu Thampi, Sudheer Karamana, Harikrishnan, Devi Ajith, Vimal Vijay, Krishnan Balakrishnan
Original name: എയ്റ്റീൻ അവേഴ്സ്