Watch This Is Not a Burial, It's A Resurrection

This Is Not a Burial, It's A Resurrection is a powerful and poignant film that explores the themes of loss, grief, and rebirth. Directed and co-written by Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese, the film is a beautifully crafted piece of cinema that tells the story of an elderly woman named Mantoa (Mary Twala) who lives in a remote village in Lesotho. Mantoa is a proud and dignified woman who has lived her life with honor and respect, but when she learns that her only son has died, she is consumed by grief and despair.

As Mantoa tries to come to terms with her loss, she finds that everything around her is changing. The village is being demolished to make way for a dam, and the government is forcing everyone to relocate. Mantoa refuses to leave, however, and decides to stay and fight for her home and her community. She becomes a symbol of hope and resilience, inspiring others to stand up and fight for what they believe in.

Despite her age, Mantoa is a fierce and determined woman, and she refuses to give up even when things seem hopeless. She believes that her son's death is not the end, but a new beginning, and she sees his passing as a catalyst for change. Mantoa becomes a force for good in her community, rallying her neighbors and friends to defend their land and their way of life. Together, they try to find a way to resist the encroaching tide of progress and preserve the traditions and values that define them.

This Is Not a Burial, It's A Resurrection is a film that is both visually stunning and emotionally powerful. Mosese's direction is both delicate and passionate, and he imbues every frame with a deep sense of longing and loss. The landscapes are breathtakingly beautiful, but there is also a sense of sadness and mourning that pervades the film. The colors are muted and subdued, reflecting the somber mood of the villagers as they face an uncertain future.

The performances in the film are exceptional, with Mary Twala delivering a masterful performance as Mantoa. She imbues the character with a quiet strength and dignity that is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Jerry Mofokeng and Makhaola Ndebele also deliver strong performances as the village priest and the young man who helps Mantoa in her fight. Together, they create a moving and poignant portrait of a community struggling to survive in a changing world.

One of the most striking elements of the film is its use of music and sound. The score, composed by Yu Miyashita, is hauntingly beautiful, evoking a sense of loss and longing. The sound design is also exceptional, with the sounds of the natural world and the village itself becoming almost characters in their own right. The film is a sensory experience, immersing the viewer in the world of the village and its inhabitants.

This Is Not a Burial, It's A Resurrection is a film that is both timely and timeless. At a time when the world is facing environmental destruction and cultural homogenization, the film is a powerful reminder of the importance of tradition and community. It shows us that even in the face of loss and despair, there is always hope, and that the resilience of the human spirit can overcome even the greatest of obstacles. Mosese has created a masterpiece of African cinema, a film that speaks to the heart and soul of the continent and its people. It is a film that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled, a testament to the power of cinema to touch our hearts and minds.

This Is Not a Burial, It's A Resurrection is a 2021 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 57 minutes. It has received poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 91.