An Afro-European connected to her roots Bantu Mum, the Dominican Republic’s entry for the Oscar for Best International Film. Co-written and directed by Ivan Herrera, the film was picked up by Ava DuVernay’s Array Releasing. It’s a gripping drama with a strong performance from Clarisse Albrecht, who also wrote the screenplay.
Albrecht is Emma, a French woman of African descent who undertakes a risky journey to the Dominican Republic. What initially looks like an exotic vacation turns exciting when she takes part in a shady assignment and prepares to fly back to France. Her nervousness is palpable as she takes a deep breath and heads to customs and immigration — and it turns out she had every reason to be scared. When she manages to escape from prison through a twist of fate, she hides in a dangerous area of Santo Domingo with her three children, who gradually become like family to her.
What begins as a thriller grows into a suspenseful drama, all the more powerful for avoiding overt sentimentality, anchored by Albrecht’s convincing turn as a woman who says very little but whose actions speak volumes. This is someone whose actions oblige her to secrecy, but who, despite reservations, radiates warmth and compassion.
The children are complex, well-cast characters. Bright and resourceful, the adolescent TINA (Scarlet Reyes) is painfully world-weary at her young age. She fears for the fate of her beautiful younger brother, Cuki (Euris Javiel), while her teenage rapper brother, Arturo Perez ($hulo), believes that Cuki must fix himself to survive.
But the tension between the children is not the focus, nor are the threats of prison or death. Above all, it is about enjoying the shared heritage. As Emma learns about the daily lives of these Afro-Caribbean children, she teaches them their roots. There is a beautiful scene where Emma Cuki explains her African origins, which influences a dance he saw on TV. Emma explains that she is Bantú and identifies Cuki’s dance as Maasai, and all the children hop around the house.
With excellent camera work by DP Sebastián Cabrera Cheli, Bantu Mum is a powerful film about connection and cultural exchange that highlights both Albrecht and Herrera as talents to be seen.
Writer: AnneSmith
Source: Deadline
Bernice Bonaparte is an author and entertainment journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a passion for pop culture and a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest entertainment news, Bernice has become a trusted source for information on the entertainment industry.
