Warriors: Interview with Director Barney Douglas

The Cricketer sits down with Warriors director Barney Douglas

There have not been many films about cricket, but last summer we were treated to two. One was Warriors, which told the story of how Maasai warriors in Kenya embraced the game. It was a labour of love for director Barney Douglas, who came into The Cricketer Offices to talk about the newly released DVD. He spoke to Owen Riley and Huw Turbervill. Underneath is The Cricketer’s review of the film …

When did you discover the Maasai Warriors? 

I remember seeing a photo in a newspaper of a Maasai warrior playing this cricket shot. I’d never seen anything like that before. Visually I immediately thought that works for me and I wanted to know more, so I jumped on a plane to Kenya! I did a bit of research before I went but I thought the only way this is going to happen is if I go and meet them. So I spent time with them, I met the families and explained the project; they were all really on board with it.

Did you set out to make a film solely about cricket, or were you aware of the social issues in the region?

Originally yes, I was aware that they were doing some HIV/Aids awareness there, but I knew nothing about FGM (female genital mutilation). I felt there was a story there, maybe relating to one of the families that might provide some emotional weight to the film. As the story progressed and I learned more about the issues in community, I realised there was a far greater depth to it than just a cricket story. I wanted to keep that balance in terms of addressing the serious issues properly, but ensuring the fun element of the cricket remained.

Do you think the cricket provided a forum to then ease in these serious issues?

Absolutely, one of the best things for me is the varied audience, you get hardcore cricket fans, indie-cinema goers, African women, a real mix of people, then you bring these two quite opposite worlds together. I think that’s one of its strengths, I think most people get something out of it.

What was James Anderson’s role in production?

Jimmy was an executive producer, he opened doors for me, which certainly helped; whatever way you look at it it’s a pretty hard sell … cricket and FGM. I think he realised that it could have a quite a big impact and has been really involved in the project. I knew him pretty well from my time with England, we’d always chatted about film and music, so I knew he was interested in things beyond just cricket. I thought this might be something he’s interested in, I sent him some footage and he said, ‘yeah I’m in’.

How did the Warriors become involved with Last Man Stands, and how close were they to a Lord’s final?

They were invited to play, that was nothing to do with me whatsoever – it provided a journey for the team to go on and added that fun element to the film. They were genuinely one win from getting into a Lord’s final, but it was via the plate tournament rather than the main event, they lost a bunch of games early in the tournament. One of the things I was keen on was the grass roots, the spirit of the game rather than the ability, the idea that cricket can still be a real inspiration, even if you just play once a week on the village green, it can still make a difference, that’s something we definitely wanted to get across.

Do you think the cricket Warriors genuinely made a difference in their community?

Yeah massively, one of the critiques of the film is that it feels like the change (convincing the elders) happens too quickly, which is a fair assessment. The problem is it was very difficult to get across in that narrative and space of time – these issues have been on the agenda for years before I arrived, and will go on, they are just gradually chipping away at something, and what this journey represented, was this final big breakthrough. It is hard for us to understand, but a journey like that in that community is such a big deal.  For us, you just go overseas play a bit of cricket and you come back, most of them have never left their town let alone travelled overseas. Genuinely the elders reacted to it. We showed the film in Kenya and they really loved it, they have stuck to their word in their village.

Will you be returning to the community?

We want to go back and do a screening in the village, with a pop-up screen under the stars. It’s really important because we know other villages will come and watch it and that will help spread the message.

We hear there is also a female Warriors team?

Yeah! So Sonyanga Ole Ngais, the captain, he started this ladies team. The amazing thing is, a lad and his girlfriend who saw the film in the cinema got a bunch of cricket kit together, and have just recently flown out, visited the area, and given all this kit to the ladies team. That’s so great for someone to watch the film and be inspired to do that. Hopefully the ladies team will, have their first match soon; they’ll probably beat the guys!

Did you play much cricket out there yourself?

I had a bit of game, I only played once they got the mat down, I didn’t fancy the other surface!

And the DVD is out now …

We want to get it into schools in the UK, and hopefully in Kenya as well. I think the Warriors are really good role models for young men, and there is a strong gender equality message there. We feel it has a lot of important messages for young people to see, and the best way for that to happen is to get it into the education system. 45 per cent of any profit from the film goes to a trust fund in the Maasai community; they want to build a youth and education centre where you can learn about cricket, learn about your rights, and that is one of the great aims of the film, we wanted to do something that was specific to the area.

WARRIORS is available on DVD and iTunes from 25 January 2016 www.warriorsfilm.co.uk #WakeTheLion

THE CRICKETER’S REVIEW

Cricket is enjoyable to play and watch, but how potent can it be as a force for social change? Taking indie documentary Warriors as evidence, the answer is ‘extremely’.

The film tells the story of how Maasai warriors in Kenya embraced the game. Their success and unity as a team gave them the courage to confront tribal elders about the treatment of girls and women. 

The team appear to make headway in their battle to have female genital mutilation outlawed, and to change long-held opinions on early forced marriage and HIV/Aids.

“The eye that has travelled sees further,” states Maasai wisdom, and the team encounter much as they fly to England and discover London and its sprawling streets. Cue Crocodile Dundee humour.

In their traditional dress rather than whites, they also play games in the Last Man Stands World Championships, culminating in a match on the Nursery Ground at Lord’s. Cynics might scoff at show of the cross-batted shots and slogs on show, and wonder if their success was not a little contrived, but it does not detract from the film’s enjoyment.

When either trying to bowl fast or hit the ball hard, their efforts are always wholehearted, and their progress – considering they had only been playing for five years – is evident.

The film is infused with passion, humour and pathos. The captain, Sonyanga Ole Ngais, is an infectious character. He is assisted by coach Aliya Bauer, who originally arrived in the area to research baboons. She could not live without cricket, and introduced the game to the tribe.

Even the elders are depicted with respect; they fear that if they do not circumcise their daughters, the men will reject them. Let us hope the shift in their views persists.

The British army also played its part; 70 Gurkha Field Squadron, a section of 36 Engineer Regiment, helped the cricketers clear a field, which has a Flicx pitch at its centre. The tribe walk 15 kilometres to it to train; nothing will stop them.

Barney Douglas directed the film, and received assistance from James Anderson, who was so moved by the story that he became executive producer. The ECB and Investec also gave financial help.

With a lively soundtrack featuring Noel Gallagher and Felix White among others, the film is an uplifting tale and worth a watch.

 

 

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