Disruptions in the system often come from the most unlikely of sources. Charles Uwagbai’s thriller The Wall Street Boy: Kipkemboi tells the story of a young teen who brings riches to his Kenyan village from a small hut.
Our tale opens with Kipkemboi (Thamela Mpumlwana), a brilliant but humble young man from rural Kenya who receives admission to MIT. As his village celebrates his achievement, tragedy strikes when his father dies, forcing Kip to reconsider his dream and do something meaningful for his community.
During this challenging time, his girlfriend, Chepchirchir (Elsie Abang), gifts him a book about the role of mathematics on Wall Street, sparking a newfound ambition. While watching a flock of birds fly overhead, he considers the factors surrounding their flight to predict the direction the flock will go. Taking the same principles into the realm of finance, Kip develops a unique algorithm to predict stock market trends.
Going to an electronics scrapyard, Kip uses his college money to purchase used computer equipment and an internet satellite dish, turning $200 into hundreds of thousands of dollars. Kip then proposes his plan to the village leaders, who respond with either greed or disbelief that he can make millions without lifting a finger.
Meanwhile, a lone rebellious voice, known as Simba, broadcasts across the airwaves, warning Kenyans about the corruption and greed spreading across the country. Decried as a terrorist by the government, Simba warns that corporate money will be Kenya’s downfall. Be aware that you are being watched.
“…uses his college money to purchase used computer equipment…turning $200 into hundreds of thousands of dollars…”
Someone has indeed been watching Kip. One afternoon, a hedge fund manager, Colin (David Cubitt), and the local police, tracked Kip’s satellite tower. Colin wants Kip’s trading algorithm, and soon, the locals arrive to protect Kip. During the skirmish, Kip escapes, but because his financial actions can be tracked, he has no resources to get him out of this situation.
As his life spirals into danger, Kip flees with Chepchirchir, evading both local and international forces. Kip’s only hope is to head unnoticed to Nairobi to meet with the elusive Simba.
The Wall Street Boy: Kipkemboi is a fictional story written and directed by Kenyan/Canadian filmmaker Charles Uwagbai. This reflects the current transition in Africa, where 60% of the population is under 25. As the youth embrace technology and see their elders and leaders slow to change, they seek ways to progress personally and financially quickly.
The Wall Street Boy speaks to this change while posing moral questions. The big question is the place that greed holds in our hearts. Some want to “get rich quick,” while others live by the adage “too good to be true.” The sober-minded ones see how greed can corrupt, but with money comes power.
Uwagbai’s tale is also a low-budget corporate thriller. Shot in Kenya, the film’s color palette is absolutely gorgeous. I also love seeing the action take place in a small rural village rather than the concrete jungle of New York City.
If anything, you need to see this corporate thriller because it unfolds in a setting untouched by Hollywood hands. Scenes are shot in real locations. Kip’s computer was purchased in an open market rather than an urban strip mall, and his lab was a hut rather than some seedy underground garage. I will say that greedy corporate villains are pretty much the same worldwide.
The production is also boosted by two amazing performances by Thamela Mpumlwana and Elsie Abang as Kip and Che. The two have fantastic chemistry, and their youthful energy is a joy to behold.
The Wall Street Boy: Kipkemboi is a corporate espionage thriller set in the unlikely countryside of Kenya. Charles Uwagbai weaves a powerful narrative that is not just a call to Africa’s vibrant youth but also a testament to how deeply local stories can resonate globally. It will keep you at the edge of your seat right from the start—absolutely worth watching.
For screening information, visit the official site of The Wall Street Boy: Kipkemboi.
"…Be aware that you are being watched."
