The World of Movies: Jonah
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 go beyond reality in Tanzania.
Jonah.
May contain spoilers.
The image of a great fish has been with us from ancient times, from the titular Bible story to the tales of countless sailors to The Old Man and the Sea. Kibwe Tavares’ Jonah (2013), a Tanzania/UK coproduction, takes this basic idea and moves it to an Afrofuturist setting. These universal themes are combined with modern allegory. It makes for an impactful, moving short, with unforgettable visual effects.
Small wonder - Tavares is a trained architect who uses animation and mixed media, often emphasizing the environment. Jonah incorporates several of these factors and more, and yet manages to tell a fully realized story. It clocks in at only eighteen minutes. In that short span, the movie covers tourism, inequality, oceanic pollution, and personal decline, with touches of fantasy and science fiction.
Mbwana (Daniel Kaluuya/Louis Mahoney) and Juma (Malachi Kirby) are two friends in Zanzibar’s Stone Town. Walking along the beach, they happen to take the picture of a lifetime – that of a giant, mythical fish who leaps out of the water at the perfect moment. Suddenly, we flash forward with dizzying speed, as Zanzibar becomes an even greater tourist attraction, and the two young men celebrities. This sequence is beautifully done, incorporating futuristic elements and animated imagery – and then we jump ahead by decades. The fish has changed the city, but has taken its toll on the society and characters alike. The elderly Mbwana seeks answers.
Jonah.
Like many shorts, this movie is packed with information, and does not waste a single shot. It runs at an exuberant pace. When it pauses to reflect, this stands out all the more strongly in its contrast. Each image is heavily detailed and incorporates an enormous palette of colours. Tavares is able to build a thoroughly convincing futuristic city from the one that exists already – no small feat. Whether the scenery is flourishing or in decay, it is always perfectly designed. I particularly enjoyed the score, which can be effervescent and ominous on a turn. It is also one of those films where the viewer should watch the credits, as it takes us through Stone Town until the very end. (And yes – it was filmed on location.)
This movie’s journey through time and memory, and its layers of social commentary, are well-supported by its impressive visual effects. Tavares takes ancient motifs and effortlessly weaves them into futuristic design, all while reflecting the present day. Jonah is an unbelievably strong short, appealing both to watch and to think about. I could not recommend it enough.
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.