An excerpt of a feature film written by Charlotte Makala. #swanglish #swahili #screenplay

1. 3
2 INT. SHANGAZI CONSTANTINA’S RESIDENCE - MORNING
A wreath lays on a casket, in the crowded home. YVONNE is
slumped on a row of chairs near the front of the casket
scrolling on her phone. She rolls her eyes at an engagement
post on Instagram, suddenly her phone notifications alert
her that she has been added to a Kitchen party group. She
begins to type something then deletes it. MAMA YVONNE (53),
shoots a death stare towards YVONNE. YVONNE straightens her
back and puts her phone in her purse. JULIUS HELELA(62)
takes a seat near Yvonne.
YVONNE
Shkamoo Baba Mkubwa. Poleni sana.
BABA MKUBWA JULIUS HELELA
Asante, Asante, Tumesha poa. Ah, maisha haya, is
not promised my dear, you know with your father.
It’s so sad, sana sana in these cases.
(whispering)Embu ona shangazi yako. Hata mtoto
mmoja hana… sasa nani atarithi vyote hivi?
(points around the house at the elegant furniture)
BIBI MABALA (83) an elderly woman who walks with a cane and
stands in front of Yvonne.
YVONNE
Karibu ukae Bibi.
Baba Mkubwa Julius slides over one seat.
BIBI MABALA
Asante Mwanangu. Wewe sindo mtoto wa Marehemu John
Helela? God rest his soul.
Yvonne nods.BIBI draws a cross sign on her face, drops her
cane as she attempts to sit. YVONNE picks it up for her and

2. 4
attempts to leave. BIBI grabs YVONNE’S wrist. YVONNE bends
over to listen to BIBI in the crowded room.
BIBI MABALA
Kina Rose wame sha kuingiza kwenye group la harusi
ya mjukuu wangu Beatrice, si mlienda shule pamoja?
A baby nearby begins to cry loudly. Yvonne leans in closer
to Bibi. Bibi’s breath has chosen violence, the harshness of
the stench and the pellets of spit attack Yvonne’s senses.
BIBI MABALA
Mlikuwa watundu enzi zenu za Braeburn Arusha,sasa
unaweza amini mwenzio ana practice udaktari pale
Saifee hospital.
YVONNE
Hongera zake.
BIBI MABALA
Na wewe unaleta mchuba lini bwana?
The baby in the room begins to cry louder and the intensity
of the crowd increases. A bead of sweat runs down Yvonne’s
cheek. A child dashes past Yvonne accidentally elbowing her
in the thigh.A fly lands on the wreath of the casket. The
room begins to spin a little and time slows down. A crow
perches itself on the window sill. Bibi Mabala forcefully
pulls Yvvone closer to her. Darts of saliva escape Bibi’s
mouth onto Yvonne’s ear.
BIBI MABALA
Eeh niambie basi utaolewa lini bibie?
YVONNE
Eeh jamani, NA WEWE UTAKUFA LINI!?
(beat)

3. 5
The room is frozen in silence. Even the baby has stopped
crying. All eyes are on Yvonne. Mama Yvonne begins to pace
towards Yvonne amidst the crowd. Yvonne darts out of the
room.
3 EXT. HAILE SELASSIE ROAD - DAY
Cars have scattered themselves across the street. Funeral
hymns can be heard in the background. Yvonne mutters and
paces between the cars until she stops at a particular car
with tinted windows. She speaks to her reflection.
YVONNE
Ok Yvonne. Ok, get it together… wewe utakufalini?
Urghh! What was I thinking? Jesus I’m so sorry I
wished death on an old lady. Yvonne you got this,
deep breaths. It wasn’t a big deal, you’ll go back
in there and act like nothing happened. Yes. Yes
like no-
The car window rolls down. Mario smiles awkwardly at Yvonne.
MARIO
Uko sawa?
Mario steps out of the car and faces Yvonne.
MARIO
Ama nikuache uendele?
YVONNE
No.. Hapana niko sa-
Mama Yvonne rushes out onto the street. Yvonne hides behind
Mario’s frame. Mario swiftly turns in Mama Yvonne's
direction.
MAMA YVONNE
Eti, umemuona binti Kavaa ushungi mweusi? Ame va
miwani flani hivi.