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Title: I Am Not a Witch (2017)
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
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Maggie Mulubwa | ... | Shula (as Margaret Mulubwa) |
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Henry B.J. Phiri | ... | Mr. Banda - the Government Official |
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Nancy Murilo | ... | Charity (as Nancy Mulilo) |
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Margaret Spinella | ... | Mama (as Margaret Sipaneia) |
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Nellie Munamonga | ... | Police Officer Josephine (as Nellie Mamweemba Munanonga) |
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James Manaseh | ... | Witch Doctor |
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Innocent Kalakula | ... | TV Talk Show Presenter (as Innocent Kalaluka) |
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Eunice Mapala | ... | Woman with Bucket |
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Margaret Z. Mwale | ... | Mwape |
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Mirriam Nata | ... | Florence |
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Selita Zulu | ... | Mubango |
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Becky Ngoma | ... | Bwalya |
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Goodfellow Kayuni | ... | Grandfather |
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John Ng'Ambi | ... | Nelson |
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Leo Chisanga | ... | Drunk Man |
Following a banal incident in her local village, 8-year old girl Shula is accused of witchcraft. After a short trial she is found guilty, taken into state custody and exiled to a witch camp. At the camp she takes part in an initiation ceremony where she is shown the rules surrounding her new life as a witch. Like the other residents, Shula is tied to a ribbon which is attached to a coil that perches on a large truck. She is told that should she ever cut the ribbon, she'll be cursed and transformed into a goat.
I am Not a Witch is a hilarious and harrowing tale from one of the finest new voices.
I am Not a Witch is the debut film from Zambian-born director Rungano Nyoni. It tells the story of a young girl, Shula, accused of witchcraft after a trivial mishap. The phenomenon in Zambia relates not to a cackling Shakespearean witch, but a relatively innocuous kind. These witches change the weather, read minds, and would fly away if untethered. Purportedly. It is a ludicrous social construction used by selfish men to oppress women. Although the subject matter is alarming, the narrative mostly filters through the comedy of its absurdity. The humour is at times reminiscent of Sacha Baron Cohen's movies or Monty Python. It's probably the grandiose confidence of foolish characters. There is a moment where the whole judicial system is reduced to Shula's guess.
But a deeper meaning flutters behind the comedy, like the platform behind a racing train. Seen only in the flashes of space between the carriages. This movie certainly has a dark side. And the unexpected appearance of the cold reality almost grated against the lighthearted side. The dark truth appears every now and then like a needle scratched off a record. This is by no means a bad thing. It makes the glimpses of truth all the more impactful after you inevitably lose yourself in the comedy again. The reality behind the movie is no more forgiving once the credits roll, because it ends on one final needle scratch, and leaves you to digest the movie, and its relation to our modern world. There are obvious parallels between the African political system, or lack thereof, and the Trump Administration and post-truth media.
The deep truth underlying this movie needs to be heard.
The cinematography of I am Not a Witch is also excellent. The shots are very minimalist, giving a sense of realism and intimacy with the narrative, and there are dashes of creative flair, with lingering shots during the realist scenes.
Review from Student Pages: https://www.studentpages.biz/i-am-not-witch-review/