Catarina Ruivo's documentary, nearly three hours long, seeks to confront death through letters written by her grandmother, Julia, during colonial Mozambique from 1946 to 1957. The letters reveal Julia's hopes and dreams as she adapts to life in a foreign land. Actor Rita Durao reads the letters, paired with Ruivo's modern footage of Mozambique. Although the film draws parallels to Chantal Akerman's work, it struggles to capture the complexities of colonialism, presenting a simplistic view of Mozambique that does not challenge Julia's perspective. The film shines in its portrayal of Julia's later years in Portugal, emphasizing rural life through dynamic rituals and scenes.
Catarina Ruivo's documentary, nearly three hours long, aims to confront the specter of death through the letters of her grandmother, Julia, from colonial Mozambique.
Julia's correspondence, read by Rita Durao, mirrors her hopes and dreams as a newly married woman adapting to life in Mozambique during Portuguese colonial rule.
The film juxtaposes Julia's past writings with present-day Mozambique images, reminiscent of Chantal Akerman's work, yet it struggles to convey a complex portrayal of colonialism.
While moments of vitality in Julia's later years in Portugal are captured, the film's representation of Mozambique risks oversimplifying the colonial experience.
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