Celebrated
my birthday @ Jio Mumbai Film festival @ PVR Andheri Infinity and Citi Mall (
as couldn’t find any other day to visit the festival) last week
A very catchy title caught my friend Asmita Sen's fancy and we went to watch the Zambian film –I Am Not A Witch.. by writer –director Rungano Nyoni. The film is a
very poignant tale of a young girl who “agrees” to declare herself as a witch
based on allegations and superstitions. I am not a Witch has got lot of praise
from audience and critics at Cannes 2017 and is the director’s first film.
There is an element of surrealism along with stark reality woven in the film. The
young witch- christened as Shula has to go with a spindle and ribbon tied to
her forever in her new home- the witch commune. As you can imagine she can go
only as far as the ribbon can take her.. This is the way all witches are
treated in the commune so that they lived a tethered existence and can be
monitored. Shula chooses this life as the other option is that she could have
converted into (surprise, surprise)- a goat!!
The film takes you thru Shula’s journey from a young child found in the
village to the commune where she along with the other witches become frightful
objects of veneration and even display to tourists so some easy money can be
made-almost as if they were zoo animals. The scenes are fraught with customs
and superstitions that are meant to make our young protagonist look supernatural..
At another level the ribbon and spindle that chases her, ties her reminds us of
life and its numerous bondages &challenges that hold us back.It also make
us think if we have the courage to overcome them else they stay as ribbons and
spindles holding us back not allowing us to blossom. But that’s a choice we
have to make, isn’t it?
You can watch the film trailer here
Another film which caught
Asmita Sen’s fancy was the Sicilian Ghost another heart wrenching
story of the coming of age of 2 children in an Italian village and the Mafioso
in the background..
So ended a day filled
with witches and ghosts—almost made me think of Halloween.. rather than
birthday.. But excellent cinema and indeed some splendid work of art.. three
cheers to Asmita for her enthusiasm and to the Jio Mami Mumbai film festival
for bringing great cinema in our lives..
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/oct/22/i-am-not-a-witch-review-magical-surrealism-margaret-mulubwa-rungano-nyoni
At the Mami Filn Festival on 18th Oct, 2017
No comments:
Post a Comment