The World of Movies: The Burial of Kojo
Written by Rachael Crawley
The World of Movies is a series that explores global cinema, drawing on films from many countries, industries and eras. This week, we understand the nature of stories in Ghana.
The Burial of Kojo.
May contain spoilers.
The Burial of Kojo (Blitz Bazawule, 2018) has been described as a fable. While the movie uses many fantastic elements, it is rooted in a very real family story. These two separate aspects come together to create something greater. Through the ordinary moments with its characters, we connect to the film; when it turns to moments of dreams and legend, it creates an innovative visual and narrative piece that makes the most of its medium.
Narrator Esi (Cynthia Dankwa/Ama K. Ababrese) tells us the story of her father, Kojo (Joseph Otsiman), who has had a life filled with unusual predictions and signs. The family leaves their rural home with Kojo’s brother, Kwabena, to take up life in the city. Esi discovers more about the family’s history and dynamics. Kwabena (Kobina Amissah-Sam) persuades Kojo to join him on an unauthorized mining site. When Kojo is trapped inside the mine, Esi draws on the knowledge that she has gathered.
This is a world where we never really know where we stand. The film weaves in and out of dreams and flashbacks without much distinction between them. Even mundane moments seem otherworldly, and everything seems to occur on more than one level. The entire world can suddenly turn a different colour, or roll upside down. A stranger can appear from nowhere. While the plot is clear, viewers are able to infer a great deal more from its juxtaposed images. It is not easy to give the film a genre – it is social drama, fantasy and even a bit of horror all at once.
The Burial of Kojo.
The film uses animation, light effects, and landscapes to underscore its moods – many of its frames are composed as a tableau, and are quite beautiful to look at. In particular, its use of colour stands out, particularly in the costumes. That said, the film does not rest on its images, but carries out a well-paced plot. It works especially well in alternating between the reality of the characters’ lives, and the magical elements Esi experiences. There is also time to develop the main characters reasonably well, though at times I wished the film had been a little longer to take it even further. Its beautifully orchestrated score is equally effective, lending the movie added intensity. It is a movie I would dearly like to see on the big screen.
The Burial of Kojo concerns itself with stories. Both in personal history and in the society’s greater context, the narrative is driven by the gathering of tradition. The film is committed both to its realism and to expanding into the world of the supernatural. Remarkably, these two ideals hold up well – and even enhance each other.
Rachael Crawley holds a Master's Degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management from Ryerson University, and has worked with film in Canada and in Europe. She adores language and cinema, and how these subjects interact with each other.