Cinematic Resistance: Climate, Colonialism, and Land in Zippy Kimundu’s Our Land, Our Freedom

Abstract

This paper positions Zippy Kimundu’s observational documentary Our Land, Our Freedom within the interdisciplinary connection of climate change, postcolonial critique and the arts. The film is examined as an artistic response to environmental degradation, land dispossession and climate vulnerability in postcolonial Kenya. By tracing the enduring legacies of colonialism and the Mau Mau resistance, the documentary reveals how historical injustices particularly those related to land continue to fuel ecological imbalance hindering climate resilience in contemporary Kenyan society. Framed through Postcolonial Theory and Documentary Film Theory, this study interrogates the aesthetic strategies of the documentary, including its use of visual storytelling, personal testimonies and archival footage to construct a compelling narrative of environmental justice. The film revives historical memory and critiques practices that exacerbate climate change, unsustainable land practices like deforestation and the erosion of indigenous ecological knowledge. The paper argues that Our Land, Our Freedom exemplifies how film as a form of art can promote climate consciousness and serve as a vehicle for environmental advocacy. It underscores the unique role of art and creative expression in augmenting marginalized voices, reclaiming narratives of land justice and inspiring sustainable futures. Ultimately, the documentary contributes to the global climate justice movement by asserting that the path to ecological sustainability in Kenya is inseparable from historical redress and ethical land governance.