The SFF Sneak Previews Continue

[Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist]

Narrative Feature Competition: Kinyarwanda

 

“Kinyarwanda” gets my vote as one of the top contenders in Sarasota Film Festival’s narrative feature competition. Inspired by true stories, “Kinyarwanda” entwines six different stories within one film, giving a face to those affected by the Rwanda genocide. Over a million men, women and children were killed in less than one hundred days during this 1994 tragedy. When the genocide finally ended, rebuilding a republic of respect, unity and forgiveness became the focus. Those efforts are the heart of this film.

 

As “Kinyarwanda” personalizes the horrors of the genocide, viewers step into the lives of a few of the millions of people affected by it. Hutus refer to Tutsis are “cockroaches,” and any association is condemned. The fear of being chopped and killed leads neighbors to betray their friends, and lovers to hide their love. Hutus married to Tutsis were “traitors.”

 

While shifting back and forth between the character’s stories requires the viewer’s close attention, in the end, this film comes together to paint a story of nothing short of utter forgiveness. As a once divided republic focuses on unity and reconciliation, the film reminds us that, at times, forgiveness can be more painful than the wound itself.  “Forgiveness is not the suppression of anger. It’s asking for a miracle.”  “Kinyarwanda” brilliantly conveys the power of forgiveness and gives hope for a new life. Alrick Brown’s film is a film from which we all can learn.

 

“Kinyarwanda” will be shown at the Sarasota Film Festival on Thursday, April 14^th @ 5:00pm and Saturday, April 16^th @ 5:00pm.

 

Narrative Feature Competition:  The Piano in a Factory

 

Another contender in the Narrative Feature Competition, “The Piano in a Factory” tells the story of a Chinese father intent on gaining custody of his daughter. When Chen’s estranged wife asks for a divorce, his daughter decides that she will live with whichever parent gives her a piano. A laid-off factory worker and musician himself, Chen sets out to do whatever it takes to manifest a piano for his daughter, taking him down a comical path. As is often the case with divorce, Chen doesn’t stop to think about whether or not he is the better parent, only that he wants custody.

 

Interspersed with musical numbers, “The Piano in a Factory” is both off-beat and tender. The sweetness in this film comes not only from Chen’s desire to fulfill his daughter’s wish, but from the friends who joins his efforts.

 

Writer and Director Zhang Meng won the Grand Jury Prize in the World Competition category for “The Piano in a Factory” at this year’s Miami Film Festival. Catch this film at the Sarasota Film Festival on Thursday, April 14^th @ 3:45pm or Saturday, April 16^th @ 12:00pm.