Rungano Nyoni's film On Becoming a Guinea Fowl tells the story of Shula, who discovers her uncle's dead body but appears emotionally detached. The narrative intricately weaves through the dynamics of family as they gather for mourning, highlighting the role of magical realism. Characters are introduced amid traditional practices that reveal underlying issues, including trauma and the avoidance of confronting dark familial secrets. These themes resonate deeply, emphasizing the tension between preserving social norms and addressing deeper emotional wounds.
“Everything about it is a bit off, unmoored, but eventually, as Nyoni carefully and compassionately allows the pieces to fall into place, it makes all the sense.”
“The elders are content to let things play out as they always do, to the point of dogmatism. But an evil spirit hangs over this ritual...”
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