Liyana

Liyana is an exceptional, award-winning film from 2017, which cleverly fuses elements of documentary and animation to tell a gripping story. Inspired by powerful, heartfelt true tales from Swaziland, this unique movie is directed by Amanda Kopp and Aaron Kopp, both of whom deliver an enchanting, immersive watch that weaves the stunning animated dreamscape of Liyana's journey with the real grit and resilience of young storytellers.

The powerhouse actress, poet, and activist, Gcina Mhlophe, is the film's leading light. Mhlophe brings a commanding presence to the film, acting as the storytelling guide that kindles the children's creativity. Her captivating narrative voice assists in sharing the tale of the title character, Liyana - a young girl imbued with courage, fortitude, and a grand sense of adventure.

The crux of the movie centers around five underprivileged children from Swaziland who, under the watchful guidance of Mhlophe, embark on an extraordinary journey to create a fictional character called "Liyana". Liyana's life mirrors the terrifying, painful, but ultimately hopeful experiences of the young storytellers. The children's vivid imagination leads to the creation of a mesmerizing African folklore tale that forms the basis of the storyline.

The remarkable aspect of Liyana is its outstanding, visually appealing animation done by Nigerian illustrator Shofela Coker. The animated fairytale segments are infused with deep symbolism, reflecting both traditional folklore and significant contemporary issues. The animation is a paradigm shift from traditional styles, embracing a more abstract, surreal, and modern approach that serves as a backdrop to the poignant narrative, essentially a manifestation of the children's dreams, their inventive fairy tale, their memories, and also their nightmares.

Liyana showcases powerful themes of resilience and hope throughout, despite the harrowing experiences briefly touched on, including the impact of HIV, and the struggle for survival in the face of immense poverty. This duality between reality and fiction serves as an underlying commentary on the power of narrative therapy in dealing with trauma and adversity and encapsulates a diverse range of human experiences and emotions.

The film is no standard animated tale, nor is it a traditional documentary. Instead, it creatively utilizes elements from each style and pushes cinematic boundaries to generate a new narrative form that reflects the innovative spirits of its young storytellers. The beauty of Liyana lies in its authentic storytelling and the subtle blend of fantasy and reality, resulting in a heart-tugging tribute to the enduring human spirit.

As a film, Liyana stands out for its intricate interplay of animation and reality, and more importantly, for giving the children from Swaziland a platform to voice their experiences, thereby encouraging dialogue about serious, relatable global issues. This deft blend of documentary and animation emerges as a triumphant experiment in narrative storytelling, its success evident in the multitude of awards the film has garnered since its release.

The characters appearing in the film, both real and imaginary, are compelling – their profound vulnerability and strength leave an indelible impact. The viewer finds themselves rooting for Liyana while engrossed in the life stories of Thulani, Sibusiso, Phumlani, Mkhuleko, and Nomcebo, the young authors of her tale.

Finally, contemplating the significance of the film, Liyana highlights the cathartic potential of storytelling and underscores the need to view underprivileged children not merely as victims of circumstance but as resilient survivors with unique narratives. It is a vivid reminder of the transformative power of storytelling, which acts as a form of therapy and a means of expressing deeply held emotions and experiences.

In conclusion, Liyana is an enticing, soulful film that delves deep into the power of imagination and courage while effectively shedding light on real-world issues. It speaks the universal language of human affectivity, making it a compelling viewing choice for all audiences, regardless of their demographic or geographical location. It's a poetic and magical dive into the world of brave, vibrant children who use their imagination and storytelling talent to navigate their challenging realities. Through their heartening tales, the film heartily encourages viewers to rethink their preconceived notions about African countries and their perception of globally relevant issues like poverty, disease, and child welfare.