The Filmmaker
Christophe Tinard
Born in France, Chris moved to the US in 1992 to pursue his dream of playing College basketball. After college he played basketball in France until he met his wife and settled in Phoenix Arizona in 2000
Chris started his production company (OrangeScreen Productions) in 2004, and has been creating content ever since.
Why this Documentary
On a trip to Kenya in 2021 for a project, Chris was introduced to a Maasai village. The reality of their current conditions was far from what was portrayed in many documentaries or TV shows.
Traditionally a semi-nomadic tribe, dependent on their livestock, the Maasai used to roam vast areas of open land in East Africa. Today with the expansions of national parks and wild life refuge, the Maasai have been forced to settled in areas designated by the government, not suitable for the survival of their livestock.
Toady's Maasai have to make difficult decisions in raising the next generation of Maasai. Educate their children in the English language to prepare them for a future outside of the village and into the modern world or live in poverty and dependent on handouts and government aid.
Educated children are forced to leave the village in pursuit of jobs in the far away towns, accelerating the process of losing this unique culture.
Life at the village
Located in a remote part of Kenya, along the border with Tanzania, the village is near the base of Mt Kilimanjaro and the town of Loitokitok.
Accessible only by dirt road, the village is far from everything. Each day men and women walk about 5 miles to reach the river where they can fetch water and let their heard drink.
Young men take care of the cattle, walking all day to look for feeding ground.
Young women are often working as day laborer in fields doing hard labor for pennies a day, while older women will stay at the village to take care of all the children.
Contact Us
We'd love to hear from you!
Feel free to send us your questions, comments or thoughts on the issue.
