Children of the Mountain 2016
Distributed by Passion River Films, 154 Mt. Bethel Rd., Warren, NJ 07059; 732-321-0711
Produced by Priscilla Anany
Directed by Priscilla Anany
DVD, color, 90 min.
General Adult
African Culture, Birth, Birth Defects, Child Advocacy, Depression, Interpersonal Relationships, Parenting, Poverty
Date Entered: 10/11/2017
Reviewed by Sandy Costanza D’Youville College, Buffalo, NYA child born with a cleft palate in a remote village in Ghana born to a single woman is the setting for this film. The deformity is somehow Essuman’s fault. She ate the wrong food, didn’t pray right, was vexed by the evil eye and any number of consequences to her pregnancy that she seeks to correct to save her child. A long birth also results in cerebal palsy to add insult to an already injured situation. Not only does her son look different he also acts different.
Children of the Mountain depicts the journey of Essuman’s life, as well as that of her son, as she fights to accept his difficulties and fight for a better future for them both. The emotional upheaval and inner strength this woman finds is noteworthy. Circumstances such as these for any woman are difficult but to add the culture and poverty associated with her lifestyle is very interesting.
Awards
- Tribeca Film Festival, Jury Award Best New Narrative Director, 2016