First Look: Jennifer Gatero’s New Romantic Drama ‘Back to Us’ Set to Premiere in April

Kenyan actress Jennifer Gatero, known for Kenyan hits such as Better Days and Changing Times, and for films like Nairobby and An Instant Dad, which premiered on Netflix, has a new film releasing in April.

Back to Us, a new feature film from Jennifer Gatero exploring the ups and downs of romantic relationships, will premiere on 11 April at Nairobi Cinema.

Shot almost entirely on location in Watamu, the film follows former lovers Amana and Kwame, who must confront their past and face hard truths about their relationship. Brought together on a coastal getaway by their friends, old wounds resurface and unresolved feelings threaten to pull them further apart, or bring them back together.

Back to Us is led by Quincy Rapando (Single Kiasi, Zora) and Kate Snow (You Again) as the ex-couple at the heart of the story, with Grace Wachanga and Pete Munyaka (An Instant Dad) also starring. The film is produced by Daniel Muindi (Acts of Love, Love and Coffee).

Gatero, who wrote, directed and also served as cinematographer on Back to Us, describes the film as a “deep emotional journey” and a reminder that “love is often messy, complicated, and worth fighting for.”

The idea for the film came about after she watched Marriage Story, the 2019 Oscar-nominated film starring Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson as a couple navigating a complicated divorce that pushes them to their limits.

“There is a divorce pandemic in the world. I have never seen more families and couples break up than right now. I don’t think it’s because people have simply grown apart or don’t love each other; it’s a generation that was never taught to communicate their feelings,” Gatero says.

“With Back to Us, I want people to take another look at themselves and those they love. If I can get two or three people to consider couples therapy, if I can get more people to engage in difficult conversations after watching the film, then my vision will have been fulfilled,” she adds.

Gatero is known for writing the hit Kenyan dramas Better Days, which she wrote while still in high school, and Changing Times. Through her production company Avant Films, she has directed other popular TV shows and films such as Nairobby and An Instant Dad, both of which secured distribution deals with Netflix, as well as the drama series This Is Life, A Better Life, and Best Friends Forever.

After its 11 April premiere at Nairobi Cinema, Back to Us will head to the TVOD platform Avant Cinema, owned by Gatero’s production company Avant Films. Two of her previous projects, This Is Life and A Better Life, are currently available on the platform.

About Avant Films

Founded by Jennifer Gatero, Avant Films is a Nairobi-based film and television production company producing original content for Kenyan and international audiences. Its work spans television drama, digital content and documentaries, with projects distributed on platforms including Netflix, Showmax, The Africa Channel, AfroStream, Switch TV and KTN.

The company’s slate includes Nairobby, An Instant Dad, A Better Life, This Is Life, Best Friends Forever, and Changing Times, alongside documentary work with organisations such as the British Council, AMREF, and Plan International.

Driven by a focus on telling African stories, Avant Films continues to develop content that reflects contemporary audiences while supporting the growth of Kenya’s film industry.