Maangamizi: The Ancient One (2001)

An American woman doctor comes to Tanzania to work at a hospital for the mentally disturbed, with her Tanzanian lover. There, she meets a sometimes catatonic patient, Samahe, who seems to ... See full summary »

Directors:

Martin Mhando, Ron Mulvihill

Writer:

Queenae Taylor Mulvihill

Stars:

Barbarao, Amandina Lihamba, Samahani Kejeri

1 win.

Cast

Credited cast:
Barbarao	...	Dr. Asira (as BarbaraO)
Amandina Lihamba	...	Samehe
Samahani Kejeri	...	Simba Mbili
Waigwa Wachira	...	Dr. Odhiambo
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ummie Mahfouda Alley	...	Patient
Zainabu Bafadhili	...	Young Samehe
Chemi Che-Mponda	...	Nurse Malika
Mary Chibwana	...	Patient
Janet Fabian	...	Sister Francis
Stumai Halili	...	Patient
Mwanajuma Ali Hassan	...	Bibi Maangamizi
Kisaka A. Kisaka	...	Reverend Waigwa
Mgeni	...	Young Asira
Thecla Mjatta	...	Zeinabu
Mona Mwakalinga	...	Mariamu

Storyline

An American woman doctor comes to Tanzania to work at a hospital for the mentally disturbed, with her Tanzanian lover. There, she meets a sometimes catatonic patient, Samahe, who seems to be in communication with another reality. In their confrontation with their individual and collective pasts, Dr Asira and Samehe are bound by fears and half remembered images of unbearable pain. Only through the spirit of Maangamizi, can the women resume their lives with an understanding of the ancestors and their eternal presence in a world of cruelty, hatred and death. It is a story that seeks to reclaim the connection between Africa and her Diaspora, and one that dares to represent the histories of two continents as it peels away layers upon layers of pain to bring healing of the soul.

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Plot Keywords:

tanzania | hospital | africa | fear | past | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

Gris-Gris Films

Country:

Tanzania USA

Language:

Swahili English

Release Date:

18 February 2001 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Bagamoyo, Tanzania

Company Credits

Production Co:

Forest Creatures Entertainment, Gris-Gris Films Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min 110 min (Pan African Film and Arts Festival)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

For filming the scene "at the door to hell" in Bagamoyo, local extras were used. After filming of the scene was complete, the extras were paid. Immediately after some of the extras were beaten up and robbed of their pay by people who watched the filming.

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Quotes

Nurse Malika: Hey, watch where you're going!
Dr. Asira: Where's Samehe, I'm looking for Samehe!
Nurse Malika: She's in the Art room with Dr. Odhiambo!
Nurse Malika: This is no American Freeway!

User Reviews

A doctor from America must discover the secret of a mysterious woman in an African mental hospital.

A hypnotic, amazing film shot in Tanzania by an international cast, Maangamizi examines the spiritual nature of mental health as soon through the eyes of an American doctor, played by BarbaraO, who must discover the secret of a mysterious woman in a Tanzanian mental hospital and the woman's visitations by what may be a supernatural entity.

Any further synopsis would not do the film justice as it must be seen in full to be appreciated. The film is wonderfully directed and features a multi-layered script which takes its inspiration from the story of the Greek goddess Hekate. The cinematography brings the Tanzanian countryside to life from the dusty hospital compound to the majestic heights of its mountains.

Probably one of the most intelligent and creative movies I've seen in the last ten years. It needs to be watched at least twice to be fully appreciated.