Wednesday 31 January 2018



Makala means 'charcoal' in Swahili. This film won the critics' prize at Cannes. (A foreign film, for once, that's not just on in London. Dublin and Manchester, too, that's almost general release!) I nearly cried off this evening as I was swamped with work but I'm so glad that I just got up from my desk and walked out the door. (Sshh. Don't tell on me.)
It's a documentary but it's almost like a road movie. It follows a Congolese charcoal maker from the opening scene where we see him felling an enormous tree until he sells his load of charcoal at market. We see him sketching plans for his dream house, three rooms roofed with metal sheets - if only he can manage to save enough to buy 15 metal sheets. And then he wants to plant fruit trees, oranges and apples; he has been saving orange pips. You see his wife grilling a rat for the family meal.
But mostly the film is on the road as he pushes his bicycle, heavily laden with sacks of charcoal, on a dusty road, 30 miles to the market in town. You feel every backbreaking shove and push. Your heart is in your mouth for him as lorries whizz past him in the night; his life seems so precarious, and what will happen to his family if he suffers an accident? And then as he nears the town, you see all the others pushing similar loads. He makes this journey once a month. He is one of many.
There's no voiceover or commentary. But the director of the film was there tonight to answer questions. And reassure us that the young man has been able to build his house with the metal roof. I hope his orange trees flourish. There's a review here and a trailer here.

6 comments:

Lesley Anne said...

Just been to see this today. As you say mesmerising and thought provoking ; amazing photography-and those roads! Thanks for the recommendation

mary said...

I'm glad you enjoyed it, Lesley Anne - and glad I've encouraged someone else to see it. I think it deserves a much bigger audience than it's likely to get.

Granny Sue said...

We take so much for granted. I doubt I will ever get to see this film, but thank you for describing it so well--I could literally feel and see his journey, or at least a bit of it. I am constantly amazed at the way Americans complain when we have so much, so easily gotten. This should be required viewing for everyone.

Mary said...

It was humbling to watch it, Sue; especially to see this young man's resilience and hope for the future and belief in education for his daughter. It's so frustrating that films like this don't get wider distribution - it's getting great reviews.

Vronni's Style Meanderings said...

This does sound so interesting.

Mary said...

Worth keeping an eye out for it, Veronica. I'm sure it'll turn up at arthouse cinemas for a while to come.