Challenging societal expectations: I am not a witch

I am not a witch. It is important for me to clarify this because I have been wrongly accused and misunderstood. The idea of witchcraft has long been associated with evil and dark practices. However, it is crucial to differentiate between reality and fiction. Witchcraft, in its true essence, is a spiritual practice that seeks to connect individuals with nature and the energies of the universe. It is a deeply personal and often misunderstood belief system.

It’s a beautiful film, one that’s hard to look away from. The actress playing Shula is mesmerizing, truly playing into the role of this mysterious child with no background. How did she end up here? What’s happened to this girl before the events of the movie? We mourn the life she could’ve lived, but, just as she appeared at the beginning of the film, she may have never had a life to begin with to live. She may have been poor or destitute, an orphan.

I Am Not A Witch works in this vein of satire until its haunting ending, and Nyoni does an excellent job of keeping an absurd tone while losing none of the gravity of the situation. The movie is at once a gorgeous, solemn look at the way a society s rituals can lead to hysteria, and a scathing, at times almost shockingly funny satire of national corruption I Am Not a Witch is unquestionably one of the most striking debuts of the year, a parable-like indictment of the tourism industry and the destructive effect when tradition runs headlong into capitalist desire.

It is a deeply personal and often misunderstood belief system. Unfortunately, throughout history, those who followed this path have faced persecution and unjust accusations. The belief in witches and witchcraft has spanned centuries, fueled by fear and ignorance.

I Am Not A Witch

In her BAFTA award-winning debut feature, Rungano Nyoni crafts a satiric feminist fairy-tale set in present-day Zambia. When 9-year old orphan Shula is accused of witchcraft, she is exiled to a witch camp run by Mr. Banda, a corrupt and inept government official. Tied to the ground by a white ribbon, Shula is told that she will turn into a goat if she tries to escape. As the only child witch, Shula quickly becomes a local star and the adults around her exploit her supposed powers for financial gain. Soon she is forced to make a difficult decision – whether to resign herself to life on the camp, or take a risk for freedom. A hit at over 50 international festivals, I AM NOT A WITCH is a must-see for anyone interested in new African Cinema and contemporary female filmmakers.

Cast

• Maggie Mulubwa
• Henry B.J. Phiri
• Nancy Mulilo
• Margaret Sipaneia
• Gloria Huwiler

DVD Features

Interview with filmmaker Rungano Nyoni
Short film, Mwansa the Great, directed by Rungano Nyoni.

Sound: 2.0 Stereo & 5.1 Surround

"Possibly the year's most audacious film debut, "I Am Not A Witch" has won numerous awards, including Britain's BAFTA for best first feature, and to see it is to understand why…Written and directed by Zambian-born, Wales-raised Rungano Nyoni, this smart and savage satire is impressive for the way it joins a dramatically involving story with a Swiftian tale of human society in general and Africa culture and customs in particular… Beguiling. wickedly smart. "

"Sharply observed, symbolically astute…Nyoni’s frank, confrontational style is both derisive and empathetic; she extracts powerful symbolic images from the oppressive environment…Short word on a remarkable movie opening today, I Am Not a Witch, Rungano Nyoni's first feature; also, the images of ribbons and huge spools on the truck are among the most striking cinematic objects, both practical and symbolic, that I've seen in a while. "

"The movie is at once a gorgeous, solemn look at the way a society’s rituals can lead to hysteria, and a scathing, at times almost shockingly funny satire of national corruption… I Am Not a Witch is unquestionably one of the most striking debuts of the year, a parable-like indictment of the tourism industry and the destructive effect when tradition runs headlong into capitalist desire. "

"Beneath the weight of history, Nyoni’s film possesses a wry, sober-minded sense of humor that elicits the pained chuckles of viewers unsure of whether to laugh or cry…[she] paints portraits of implied mysticism with elegance and precision."

"Nyoni’s direction—for which she won a BAFTA award—is bold and ambitious, and challenging at times. Nyoni is clearly confident in her vision and the story she wants to tell, and in her capable hands, the result is spellbinding."

"Striking…I Am Not a Witch, the dazzling first feature of writer/director Rungano Nyoni, is pitched uneasily between comedy and tragedy. One is never quite sure whether to chuckle at the superstitious absurdity of this magical-realism tale, or weep with despondency over the repugnant institutionalized misogyny it depicts. "

"If you’re in one of the cities where the strange and beautiful I Am Not a Witch opens this week, you’re lucky. See it, then hold your breath to see what first-time feature director Rungano Nyoni does next. "

"Narratively and tonally, I Am Not a Witch occasionally invites comparisons to the work of Michael Haneke and Yorgos Lanthimos. Visually and aurally, though, the film marks the arrival of a unique and scintillating auteur. With a well-matched director of photography in David Gallego (Embrace of the Serpent), Nyoni presents one dazzling set piece after another. Her preferences for long takes, bright colors, and dynamic wide shots that resemble paintings cement the film as high art for its imagery alone."

"“I Am Not a Witch” is one of this year’s very best films — a blast of absurdist outrage that’s seriously funny until all of the sudden it’s not anymore."

"You don’t get many opportunities to see a film where you feel like you are witnessing the birth of an important new talent but “I Am Not A Witch” is one such film. “I Am Not A Witch” is a film of beauty, grace, deep humanity, and fierce intelligence. Nyoni’s ability to craft such a multi-layered film and complex film is simply spellbinding."

"I Am Not a Witch deserves to be watched again and again. That’s how rich with meaning it is. Moreover, it needs to be discussed, written about, and shared. It is a testament to the strange and mysterious power of cinema, which has been so masterfully harnessed by its director. . So, if you get anything out of this review, let it be this: Watch this film. Tell others to watch it, and allow it to activate you. It might be an uncomfortable, even harrowing experience, however it is also an exciting one, because I believe Rungano Nyoni is going to change cinema, and it may never be the same again."

In many societies, witches were seen as threats and were believed to possess malevolent powers. This led to widespread accusations, trials, and even executions of innocent men and women. It is essential to remember that the notion of witches, as portrayed in popular culture, is highly exaggerated. Witches are not the evil, green-skinned, broomstick-riding beings depicted in movies and fairy tales. They are regular people who follow a spiritual path, seeking harmony with nature and the spiritual realm. In today's society, the practice of witchcraft has become more accepted, and a greater understanding of its true essence is starting to emerge. Many individuals find solace and meaning in this spiritual practice, embracing its teachings of interconnectedness, respect for nature, and self-discovery. Regardless of personal beliefs, it is important to move away from stereotypes and prejudices. Everyone should have the right to live their lives without fear of persecution or discrimination based on their spiritual or religious choices. So, no, I am not a witch. I am a person who believes in the power of spirituality, connects with nature, and seeks personal growth. It is essential to recognize this distinction and break free from the misconceptions surrounding witchcraft..

Reviews for "Finding strength in adversity: I am not a witch"

1. Jane - 2 stars - I found "I am not witch" to be quite disappointing. The storyline was confusing and lacked depth. The characters were underdeveloped and I couldn't connect with any of them. The pacing was also way too slow. Overall, I had high hopes for this film but it fell short in almost every aspect.

2. Mark - 1 star - This movie was a complete waste of time. The plot was all over the place and made no sense. The acting was wooden and the dialogue felt forced. I couldn't wait for it to be over. Don't bother watching "I am not witch" unless you enjoy being incredibly bored.

3. Sarah - 2 stars - I am not witch had an interesting premise, but it failed to deliver. The execution was poor and the story felt disjointed. The social commentary that the film attempted to provide was muddled and unclear. The cinematography and visuals were nothing special either. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone.

4. Mike - 1 star - I'm not sure why "I am not witch" received any positive reviews. It was one of the worst films I've seen in a long time. The acting was atrocious and the story was incredibly dull. The attempts at humor fell flat and the supposed dramatic moments were laughable. Save yourself the agony and skip this one.

5. Emily - 2 stars - "I am not witch" had an interesting concept, but it failed to deliver a compelling narrative. The pacing was slow and there were many lulls throughout the film. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked depth. There were a few visually stunning scenes, but they were unfortunately few and far between. Overall, I was disappointed with this movie.

The dangers of labeling: I am not a witch