FILM REVIEW: The Letter Reader is a short film centered around a boy who, through his reading skill, radiates fond memories for people of his community
The Letter Reader tells an intuitive coming-of-age story shot in a remote mountain village in the magical Drakensberg - it is impossible not to enjoy the scenery of the veld, of open spaces with earth huts planted scarcely on this dusty and misty village, the simple beauties of river and mountains, the clean line of the horizon. It highlights the power of the pen and the written word through the eyes of a 12-year-old boy, Siyabonga affectionately called Siya in the film. The 30-minute film which was released in late 2018, is currently streaming on Netflix and Showmax.
The drama is about a young Johannesburg boy called Siyabonga played by Bahle Mashinini, who relocates to a village in KwaZulu-Natal to live with his grandmother while his parents work through their marital problems. Many people can relate to Siya's life having to go stay with his grandmother because grandmothers played and continue to play a pivotal role in cushioning children from the traumas of failed marriages or torments inflicted by migration most black young workers face today.
This short film is important on how critical it is to reflect on the history of social letter writing in black communities which become a thing in 1800s, as argued by Vukile Kumalo in his paper . I remember as a little boy coming across letters addressed to my grandmother and sister from my mother who worked as a domestic worker in Johannesburg in early 90s. The content of the letters were directives from my mother to be implemented by my sister which the letters were enclosed with a large part of her meagre salary to be stretched thin to cover groceries, school fees, building construction material etc. It was perhaps one of the powerful medium available that connected people living apart due to migratory system. Like in the film, these letters are collected from a nearby shop in the rural villages.
Directed and written by Khuzwayo, the film is loosely inspired by former President Thabo Mbeki’s childhood, which is detailed in Mark Gevisser’s biography of the former president titled, The Dream Deferred. This epic film is produced by Cati Weinek and Dumi Gumbi.
Siya, because of his reading abilities, assumes his late grandfather’s role of being the letter reader in the community. Using literacy as his superpower, Siya begins to glue his fellow villagers to their loved ones who have settled in various parts of the country, especially from the city of Gold. In one instance, Siya receives a letter addressed to the beautiful wife Nobuhle played by Nomalanga Shabane from her Johannesburg based husband Menzi played by Andile Gumbi of their sad news of divorce where the little Siya decided that he can not break this news to Nobuhle, instead he scribed the opposite. Talened Siya as he recounts the content of the letters, he wins the heart of the people whom these letters are directed to. At first the receivers of the letter overlook his tiny body never believed in his ability to read until he offer to read them. In this instance we see Nobuhle getting lost in fond memories as Siya reads this letter with accurate delivery of voice that radiates the heart of the wife. He brings child-like naturalness of humor and curiosity to the letters and this he furnishes with maturity of an adult.
The late Andile Gumbi was a talented actor whom I had a pleasure of seeing him perform on the Athol Fugard's stage in Harry Blokm's iconic play King Kong where he stared as Ezekiel Dlamini The Boxer in 2017/18.
Authentic representation in all manner of art is important because it shows values in the stories we tell and such representation is even more vital especially when it does not put on the apparel of the previously donimant colonial framing. Dilutory of anything Western in what we do is problematic to the realization of our African truthful emancipation. With local films such as The Letter Reader and Elelwani we might be well on the path for restoration of what is authentic African stories. We need more stories centered around us, written and shared from our perspectives - with this in mind and action, we shall make it more and more meaningful to cut spokespersons who always try hard to speak for us in matters that concern us deeply. Implementation of this shall restore the urgency (enough understanding of who we are and what decisions matters to us).
In conclusion, I didn't expect it to end with just a delivery of another letter not be read as usual. I was left hanging because this last letter when delivered in the early morning, Nobuhle's husband had arrived the previous day telling his wife that his job ended and probably he might have eavesdropped the exchanges between his wife and the little Siya. I am still asking myself whether the husband would read this letter to his wife, considering the wife cannot read. How will he react to this letter which he probably never authored? However, Siya leaving for Joburg, promised Nobuhle that he'll come back to the village soon.
If you enjoyed this review, kindly watch this short film now streaming on Netflix or Showmax. Thanks to my wonderful person Ayo Thomas in Detroit, USA for recommending me to to watch this beautiful film.
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