22/05/2021
Read our Review...
"Saving Mbango"
First published Nov 2020,
Between Takes Magazine Nº1
Screenplay: Lynno Lovert
Producer: Stephanie Tum
Director: Nkanya Nkwai
Year: 2019
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Dis you watch "Saving Mbango" on CRTV last May 20th!?
Read our Review...
First published Nov 2020,
Between Takes Magazine Nº1
Screenplay: Lynno Lovert
Producer: Stephanie Tum
Director: Nkanya Nkwai
Year: 2019
Featuring: Onyama Laura, Godisz Fungwa, Otia Vitalis, Lobota Mc Donald, Stephanie Tum, faith Fidel
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John´s hopes to pursue university studies are shred as he is caught up in the mess of his poverty-stricken and dysfunctional family. He however finds love and hope when he meets Mbango, who is caught up in a web of social stigma and a fatal health condition. He then sets on a mission; Saving Mbango.
Saving Mbango is the story of every rural Cameroonian. If you have lived or visited any of these CDC villages in the SW region of Cameroon then you will recognize yourself in the narrative. It is the story of our struggles to break out a the caucus of family poverty, societal stigma, and love in an uneducated and aggressive society. It is the story of twosouls caught in the vast horizon of a life journey, against all odds, expecting a chance to exist.
Underneath its simplicity the movie carries a very powerful subject matter. Undercoated in themes of love and abject poverty, social stigma is the subject matter that provokes our sensibilities. We are generally afraid of things we don´t understand and create barriers to keep them out. Can genuine love in the case of John and Mbango break these barriers? Beyond her health condition, the real battle for Mbango is that of acceptance. In a society stricken with poverty, illiteracy and greed, Saving Mbango seems an impossible task.
Rarely have we seen a movie that is so well rounded; everything fits like a square peg in a square hole. Director Nkanya Nkwai does not disappoint in his distinctive subtle narrative style we find in A Good Time to Divorce. For first timers, Producer Stephanie Tum and writer Lynno Lovert the challenge of such an audacious project was overcome.
Camera use is quite simple. Shots and angles are chosen to recount the story in the simplest manner possible without the superfluous. Mostly from the Director´s POV we are kept only on the relevant elements of story. This makes watching comfortable and understanding simple. The editing is smooth with a constant pace. No rushing or slowing down, but a consistency that keeps the watcher at peace and hooked to the development of the story.
The screenplay is a classical linear three act screenplay. In its simplicity it does not search for extravagance or distractions but concentrates on the story elements. This focuses attention and drives the necessary emotions for the audience to attain catharsis. Its makes for a good and smooth
watching.
We salute the Oscar-worthy performances from Godisz Fungwa and Onyama Laura. The two form such a good pair for the screen and succeed to bring alive with such great skills the underlying, intrinsic characteristics of John and Mbango. Worthy of praise also is the performance of veteran actor Otia Vitalisin his remarkable rendition of Mr Penda. Also worthy of note is the captivating performance of Libota MacDonald as Oggen. Both seasoned actors lost themselves completely in their characters. Simply put, Saving Mbango is a beautifully crafted piece that gives its audience a wonderful cinematic experience. It is perfect for a family cinema evening. Available on Amazone Prime.
E. Ngwansi Buminang
