Teza (2008)

The Ethiopian intellectual Anberber returns to his native country during the repressive totalitarian regime of Haile Mariam Mengistu and the recognition of his own displacement and ... See full summary »

Director:

Haile Gerima

Writer:

Haile Gerima (screenplay)

Stars:

Aaron Arefe, Abiye Tedla, Takelech Beyene

8 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview:
Aaron Arefe	...	Anberber
Abiye Tedla	...	Tesfaye
Takelech Beyene	...	Tadfe
Teje Tesfahun	...	Azanu
Nebiyu Baye	...	Ayalew
Wuhib Bayu	...	Abdul
Araba E. Johnston Arthur	...	Cassandra (as Araba Evelyn Arthur-Johnston)
Veronika Avraham	...	Gabi
Mengistu Zelalem	...	Anberber as a child

Storyline

The Ethiopian intellectual Anberber returns to his native country during the repressive totalitarian regime of Haile Mariam Mengistu and the recognition of his own displacement and powerlessness at the dissolution of his people's humanity and social values. After several years spent studying medicine in Germany, he finds the country of his youth replaced by turmoil. His dream of using his craft to improve the health of Ethiopians is squashed by a military junta that uses scientists for its own political ends. Seeking the comfort of his countryside home, Anberber finds no refuge from violence. The solace that the memories of his youth provide is quickly replaced by the competing forces of military and rebelling factions. Anberber needs to decide whether he wants to bear the strain or piece together a life from the fragments that lie around him.

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Plot Keywords:

ethiopian | cross cultural relationship | hope | warrior | diaspora | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [France]

Country:

Ethiopia Germany France

Language:

Amharic English German

Release Date:

28 April 2010 (France)

Also Known As:

Morgentau

Company Credits

Production Co:

Negod-Gwad Productions,Pandora Filmproduktion,Unlimited

Technical Specs

Runtime:

140 min 140 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

User Reviews

The quest for freedom is marred by the hunger for power, creating a nightmare whose end lies in a complicated synthesis of past and present.

This film establishes Gerima as the artist-prophet and places him side by side with Sembene. He artistically presents the quest for African freedom in the post-colonial era as a human struggle for freedom pursued by people flawed by their humanity not by their race. Gerima gives dignity to the ideals of those thirsting for freedom AND democracy. The film redeems a generation that experienced many failures in their noble effects because they were late in seeing how the hunger for power creates monsters in all men and women irrespective of race or nationality or relationship to oppression. This is a film for serious, thinking people who want to make a positive difference in the world.