Debut film by Sudanese director Suzannah Mirghani
Set in a cotton-growing village in Sudan, the film centres on teenage Nafisa, who has been raised on her grandmother's tales of anti-colonial resistance. She becomes caught up in a village power struggle when a young businessman returns from abroad with genetically engineered cotton and plans for modernisation. What unfolds is Nafisa finding her own quiet power amongst the chaos around her.
Blending themes of feminism and womanhood, along with the rich tapestry of folklore and storytelling; Mirghani's skilful debut is also a tale about the continuing battle of tradition and modernity. While the world is coming to terms with the impending doom of artificial intelligence (AI) and that threat to lives and employment, Nafisa is a vessel for transformation changing both herself and her community.
Mirghani has a nuanced observational eye detailing her film with tender and careful costume design and a boldness of stark cinematography by the film's conclusion; a lot is said within the frame combining controlled performance and set design to bear fruit.
Hailing from Sudan, filmmakers especially females are having a purple patch currently with contemporaries such as Soudade Kaadan providing further proof that women from minority backgrounds can tell just as a good a story that looks back to critique the current day circumstances.
Mihad Murtada as the lead Nafisa gives a solid leading performance but special kudos belongs to Rabha Mohamed Mahmoud as the matriarch/grandmother Al-Sit - the one who may hold the key to overcoming the new opponent to the village status quo.
Out in cinemas now on limited release, this is the third such title from Sudan from TAPE Collective (a group that focuses on subversive filmmaking with a focus on representation, identity and heritage).
