NWA-MANKAMANA, Laurence Favre, 2013, N8 to HD, 28 mn, essay (documentary – experimental)
World premiere: Visions du Réel, Nyon, Switzerland, April 2013, International short film competition
Award: Special Prize for the most innovative short film of the international competition
October 2013: DocBuenosAires
October 2013: Vilnius International Short Film Festival, International competition
Synopsis
In 1947, Marie Tinguely leaves her homeland to go work in a hospital for the Swiss mission
in the South African bush.
After her death, the films shot over 25 years as a missionary, as well as some of the letters she wrote are found in a family apartment.
I decide to explore them.
Statement
In this subjective exploration of archival footage taken by a missionary in South Africa, the film offers a contemporary essay-like interpretation, of Western missions, the role of religion, and the personal choice of leaving one’s homeland to live abroad and film.
Fragments of text structure the film, striking chords with the archival shots ; the story relies on the interplay between words and images.
A mosaic of sequences makes up a fragemented tale where the points of view of the narrator (the director) and the filming missionary hold a dialogue.
This approach seeks to give a contemporary dimension to images of the past.
Credits
writing, directing: Laurence Favre
cinematography: Marie Tinguely
editing: Laurence Favre, Antonio Trullén Funcia
music: Gabriel Tejedor
sound editing: Masaki Hatsui, Philippe Ciompi
sound mixing: Philippe Ciompi
colour grading: Raphaël Frauenfelder
production: Master cinema HES-SO ECAL/HEAD
