Drama
Lesotho,Italy,South Africa
The movie This Is Not a Burial, It’s a Resurrection is a poignant and powerful drama set in a small village in Lesotho, a landlocked country in southern Africa. The film follows the story of Mantoa, an aging widow who has lived in the village her entire life. Mantoa is a fiercely independent woman who has been weathered by the harshness of life in her community, which is marked by poverty, illness, and loss.
Mantoa's world is rocked when she learns that her only surviving relative, her son, has died in a mining accident in South Africa. The news devastates her, and she struggles to come to terms with her loss. She is determined to give her son a proper burial, but faces obstacles from the traditional funeral customs of her community, which she feels are outdated and irrelevant to her personal beliefs.
As Mantoa navigates the complexities of grief and mourning, she discovers an unexpected sense of purpose and empowerment. She becomes a vocal advocate for change and sets out to challenge the norms that have defined her life for so long.
Through Mantoa's journey, the film explores themes of loss, identity, tradition, and community. It is a deeply moving portrait of a woman who refuses to be silenced by her circumstances or her grief. The movie was directed by Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese and stars Mary Twala Mhlongo, Jerry Mofokeng Wa Makhetha, and Tseko Monaheng. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2019 and has received critical acclaim for its stunning visual style and powerful performances.
