Rowan Sullivan

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I Am Not a Witch (Zambia) – Go Visit A Witch Camp

I Am Not a Witch Film Difficulty Ranking: 4

Do you know how to identify a witch? If you do, do you know how to keep them from flying away? I am not a Witch will provide you with all you need to know about witches in Zambia. Go watch this dark satire based on real life ‘witch camps’ in Africa.

Why Watch I Am Not a Witch?
  • See your first film from Zambia! (If you’ve already seen a Zambian film let me know what you saw – comment below)
  • Learn how to identify a witch and prevent them from flying away!
  • If you love satirical films – especially with a hint of magical realism
  • Because 9 year old Margaret Mulubwa is excellent in the star acting role
The Breakdown

Little ‘Shula’ is taken to the police for strangely staring at a local villager. As no one knows where she has come from, and because she is too shy to respond to speak, she is quickly denounced as a witch.

So what happens to the people denounced as witches? First, they’re taken to a special witch camp, which is pretty much an outdoor zoo where tourists can come and take pictures. To keep them there, each ‘witch’ has a ribbon attached to a tree attached to their back to stop them flying away. Life as a witch isn’t great!

Director Rungano Nyoni subtly satirises the whole film. There are moments when you think the police officer doesn’t believe in witchcraft before he convicts Shula. Nyoni walks a fine line between making the film too comedic and too serious. Ultimately she does it incredibly well and creates a film that communicates a serious matter without being too heavy or light.

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The Breakdown

I am not a Witch is original and clever. It’s a satirical film about real life witches in Zambia splashed with dashes of magical realism. The film is carried by the excellent performance of 9 year old Margaret Mulubwa. Go find and watch this film if you want to celebrate unique international film.

 

357

Prince of Nothingwood (Afghanistan) – Meet Afganistan’s Biggest Film Star

Prince of Nothingwood Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

“This isn’t Hollywood, this isn’t Bollywood, this is Nothingwood, because there’s no money”. – Salim Shaheen

Salim Shaheen is Afghanistan’s biggest film star. He’s Afghanistan’s working class hero (like Cantiflas or Charlie Chaplin) and action film star (like Sylvester Stallone or Arnold Schwarzenegger). It’s time for you to get to know him!

Why Watch Prince of Nothingwood?
  • To meet Afghanistan’s biggest film star
  • For a positive alternative to the negative war dominated footage of Afghanistan you’ll usually see
  • See the remains of the famous Buddhas of Bamyan
  • Hear about the time when there was a bomb on set…
The Breakdown

Salim Shaheen’s story mirrors the story of Afghani cinema. There should be no role for him or for film within the strict Afghani customs. Back when he was a kid, he was beaten by his mother and brothers when they caught him singing and dancing on film. He was also beaten when he was caught sneaking off to the cinema to see some of the Bollywood hits. He was beaten up whenever he got near to film! Simply put, dancing, singing, and acting were all taboo; it just doesn’t fit in strict Afghani tradition.

However, even though Salim Shaheen’s films are a triumph for creativity, you’ll notice there aren’t any women on camera. The director, Sonia Kronlund, is the only woman you’ll see in the whole film. That’s because she’s treated like a man because she isn’t from there. In contrast, Sonia’s female translator is always hidden off camera. According to Sonia, she refused to say anything on camera. As there are no actresses, some of the men have to dress up as women. Despite the apparently strict society, this is considered acceptable, perhaps because homosexuality is inconceivable.

If you’ve been wanting to go to Afghanistan but are worried about the security, this is the perfect film to see. You’ll meet the people, travel across the country (to Bamyan), hear the music, and see the food.

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Conclusion

All in all The Prince of Nothingwood is a rare opportunity to see life in Afghanistan, and an equally rare opportunity to see a positive story from Afghanistan. Salim Shaheen’s story is a triumph for creativity in a society where access to cinematic resources is pretty much non-existent.

 

 

358

The Journey (Iraq) – Get to Know a Suicide Bomber

The Journey Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

How much do you know about the Iraq War? Chances are, you’re picture of the war is made up of news footage and films like American Sniper. You’ll rarely see the Iraqi perspective of the war, which is inexcusable as this war happened in Iraq. So do yourself a favour and check out The Journey and learn about the effects of the Iraq war.

Why Watch The Journey?
  • See how the war has affected Iraq and the people living there
  • To see the Iraq war from the Iraqi perspective as opposed to the western perspective shown in The Hurt Locker and American Sniper
  • You’ll also get to know and understand a suicide bomber
  • It’s a perfect companion to Ahlaam
The Breakdown

The Journey starts with our protagonist, a woman walking along train tracks to a train station. As she gets closer she pulls off her hijab and throws it away and joins a group of schoolchildren to disguise herself as a teacher. In this disguise, she gets past the security checks and through to the station.

In the station, she stands silently people watching. You quickly see two kids cleaning shoes, a man loudly talking the phone, and hear the sound of a busker nearby. As life goes on, the camera cuts to a close up of her hand wavering over a detonator. She’s wearing a bomb vest!

The story was spawned from a news article that Mohamed Al-Daradji saw about a female suicide bomber in Iraq. Just before she was about to detonate her bomb vest, she went to the police station. But later on, she still blew herself up. What’s interesting is that she went to the police; possibly a moment of regret or doubt. Her uncertainty inspired Mohamed Al-Daradji to focus on a suicide bomber, to explore what could be going through their minds.

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The Conclusion

The Journey is a must watch for everyone who remembers the Iraq War. It explores the side of the conflict that is rarely seen: the Iraqi perspective. It shows normal Iraqis carrying out the lives infected by the trauma of war. You’ll also meet a suicide bomber and become her friend.

359

Makala – Live the Life of a Charcoal Miner in Rural DR Congo

Makala Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

This documentary film is on another level. You’ll rarely get this close to a life completely different to the one you’re used to. Not just because you probably have no idea about the lives of charcoal miners in DR Congo, but because you rarely get films that are this intimate. There are so many close ups and shots where Kabwita’s emotion is so clearly visible that you’ll feel like you’re there right beside him. The only problem is that you’ll feel even worse for not being able to help him up those hills.

Why Watch Makala?
  • Find out how to make a living in rural Democratic Republic of Congo
  • The incredible cinematography! (detail below)
  • Learn how to make charcoal
  • It’s an excellent documentary – it won Critic’s Week at the Cannes Film Festival 2017
The Breakdown

Makala starts with Kabwita (our protagonist). The camera follows him through the bush. He’s carrying two axes on his shoulders. He’s looking for a good tree. After a minute or so, the perfect tree appears near the top of the shrub covered hill. After a quick prayer, Kabwita starts cutting down the tree.

Makala covers the whole process of making a living from charcoal. You’ll see Kabwita make the product (charcoal), transport it, and sell it. This is how he manages to live.

What’s amazing about the film is how intimate it is. The director, Emmanuel Gras, found Kabwita whilst working on his previous documentary (also set in DRC). Kabwita agreed to the film in return for help building the home he mentions in the film. This is how the director manages to get so many close-up shots of Kabwita documenting his trials and tribulations.

Because of the connection the close-ups establish between us (the audience) and Kabwita, there are many times when we want to reach out and help him. We can feel his struggle pushing the charcoal logs up hills and also his frustration when a lorry crashes into his livelihood. Of course, the director could help, but to do so would be to take away from our experience. It’s the director’s responsibility to direct the life of the charcoal maker. It’s our responsibility (the viewers) to be enlightened and be inspired to make a change.

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Conclusion

Makala is a beautiful film. The cinematography at times is almost unbelievably real. A lot of the shots are so intimate and close that you’d be forgiven for forgetting that this is a documentary. We are so used to seeing unrealistic intimate shots in Hollywood films (close-ups of people kissing that you’d never see in real life) but this kind of intimacy is unusual in Documentary film. In Makala you get to experience the life of the charcoal maker, not just witness it.

360

Beyond the Clouds (India) – Why You Watch Films on the Big Screen

Beyond the Clouds Film Difficulty Ranking: 2

Are you looking for a big film for a bit of entertainment? With music, melodrama, and some epic shots? Look no further than Majid Majidi’s Beyond the Clouds. This Iranian director is one of the best at making great family films (check out Children of Heaven). Plus, if you liked Slumdog Millionaire (another great Mumbai film made by a foreigner) you’ll love this. It’s pure entertainment.

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Why Watch Beyond the Clouds?
  • To be entertained! There’s big sweeping shots and beautiful colours! You’ll notice the echoes of Slumdog Millionaire
  • For the music composed by A R Rahman (it’s not a musical, but you’ll notice the Bollywood touch)
  • To learn to appreciate the NHS (and all other countries with public healthcare)
  •  See the melting pot of Indian diversity – in this film you’ll hear Hindi, Tamil, and bits of English
The Breakdown

Beyond the Clouds opens with a wide shot of a highway bridge in Mumbai. The camera tracks downwards to show us life under the highway. As Majid Majidi (the director) states, he wanted to get under the skin of the city, and right from the start he focuses on life that has escaped modernisation.

There’s a lot going on in each shot. We meet our protagonist walk-dancing along an empty path with his friend. They both hop on the back of a motorbike and zoom off down an empty straight road like cowboys riding towards the sunset. The sweeping camera movements and dance steps make it feel like you’re watching a big film. This is pure entertainment.

You’ll also be led by Majidi’s use of colours and darkness. When Amir visits his sister, she recounts all her traumas from the shadowed darkness of her bedroom. She has been ignored, emphasised by the darkness she is left in. Likewise the white sheets left to dry outside the busy clothes washers are a perfect symbol of innocence. Innocence that is fated to be stained…

Conclusion

This is why you go to watch films on the big screen. It has the wide sweeping shots, vivid colours, music, and plenty of melodrama. Yes, there’s a little cheesiness, but not enough to put you off. If you want to be entertained for a few hours, you can’t much go wrong watching Beyond the Clouds.