Kenyan filmmaker Reuben Odanga is preparing to unveil his latest feature film, Tides, a music-driven romance drama that is set to premiere at Century Cinemax on 8 August. The film promises to deliver an emotional story that explores love, sacrifice, survival and the difficult decisions people make when faced with overwhelming hardship. Known for directing acclaimed productions such as Mo-Faya and Nafsi, Odanga continues to expand his storytelling with a project that blends drama and original music into a compelling cinematic experience. Tides arrives at a time when Kenya’s film industry continues to produce ambitious stories that reflect authentic local experiences while appealing to wider audiences. With a talented cast, an emotionally charged storyline and an original soundtrack, the film is expected to attract significant attention from movie lovers across the country.
Set along the picturesque Kenyan coast, Tides follows the lives of Salma and Biko, a musician couple whose relationship is pushed to its limits by financial struggles and personal tragedy. As opportunities to perform become increasingly scarce, the couple finds themselves under mounting pressure while trying to provide for their family. Their challenges become even greater when their daughter develops a serious medical condition that requires urgent attention and financial resources they simply do not have. Faced with impossible choices, the couple must navigate difficult moral decisions that threaten to reshape both their future and their relationship. The film explores how love can be tested when survival becomes the highest priority.
According to writer and director Reuben Odanga, Tides examines situations where poverty removes opportunities and forces people into decisions that cannot easily be classified as right or wrong. He explains that the film was inspired by the realities of relationships between tourists and local residents at the Kenyan coast, relationships that are often surrounded by judgment, secrecy and complex social dynamics. Rather than presenting simple answers, Odanga aims to encourage audiences to understand the circumstances that shape people’s choices. He believes the story invites viewers to move beyond assumptions and confront uncomfortable realities about poverty, power, desire and survival. Through this approach, Tides seeks to spark meaningful conversations long after the credits roll.
The film brings together an impressive cast featuring some of East Africa’s most recognizable performers. Sarah Hassan, widely known for her role in Crime and Justice, stars alongside Brian Kabugi of MTV Shuga Mashariki fame. The cast also includes Minne Kariuki, who makes her feature film debut after earning recognition through Single Kiasi. South African actor Dumisani Mbebe, known for his performance in the Netflix series Savage Beauty, further strengthens the production with his international experience. Supporting performances from Sikukuu Hamisi Jumaa, Zippy Okoth, Andrew Muthure and Muthoni Gathecha add further depth to a story driven by emotional performances and believable characters.
One of the defining features of Tides is its strong musical identity. Unlike many films where music serves as background entertainment, the songs in Tides are woven directly into the narrative and play an essential role in advancing the story. Odanga has explained that music was never intended to be an optional addition because the characters themselves are musicians and the story naturally demanded original compositions. This creative decision helps immerse audiences more deeply in the emotional journey of Salma and Biko. The result is a film where music becomes another voice through which the characters express hope, pain and resilience.
The film’s original soundtrack was created under the guidance of award-winning singer, songwriter and actor Silayio, who serves as the music director and composer. Odanga revealed that the decision to create original songs was encouraged by Silayio, whose confidence in the project inspired him to embrace the challenge. Their collaboration allowed the production to develop music specifically tailored to the emotional beats of the story rather than relying on existing songs. This creative partnership has become one of the film’s standout elements, giving Tides a distinctive identity that blends cinema and music into a unified experience. The soundtrack is expected to play a major role in connecting audiences with the film’s characters and themes.
Silayio also described the project as an opportunity to grow creatively by exploring musical styles she had not previously worked with in depth. She explained that writing songs from the perspective of a character performing them on screen required a different creative approach from her previous work. Drawing on her experience as both an actor and musician, she crafted songs that reflected the emotions and struggles experienced by the film’s central characters. Her diverse career, which includes representing Kenya internationally, winning Best Female Artist for East Africa at the 2005 Kora Awards, competing on The Voice of Holland in 2017 and appearing on The Winner Takes It All in 2026, brought valuable expertise to the production. The experience allowed her to combine acting, songwriting and singing into a single creative process that strengthened both the music and the film.
Behind the scenes, Tides is supported by an experienced production team dedicated to delivering a high-quality cinematic experience. The film is produced by Winnie Adisa, with Jim Bishop serving as director of photography, ensuring that the beauty of Kenya’s coastal landscapes becomes an integral part of the storytelling. Reuben Odanga and Jaqueline Kalekye serve as executive producers, while Multan Production leads the project as the production company. Together, the team has worked to create a visually striking and emotionally engaging film that reflects the growing professionalism of Kenya’s film industry. Every aspect of the production has been designed to support the story’s emotional depth while showcasing local talent both in front of and behind the camera.
Following its premiere at Century Cinemax on 8 August, Tides will continue with additional screenings at Century Cinemax locations across Nairobi, giving more audiences the opportunity to experience the film on the big screen. The release represents another important milestone for Kenya’s growing film industry, which continues to produce stories rooted in local realities while maintaining international production standards. By combining romance, family drama, social commentary and original music, Tides offers audiences an emotionally rich cinematic experience that goes beyond traditional storytelling. Reuben Odanga’s latest project demonstrates the power of Kenyan cinema to tell meaningful stories that resonate with both local and international viewers. As anticipation continues to build ahead of its release, Tides is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated Kenyan film premieres of the year.
