On Becoming a Guinea Fowl.

TW: African Women vs Familial Patriarchy

Rungano Nyoni has handed the world a looking glass they haven’t held before.

This is not an unfamiliar story — but it is unfamiliarly told, amongst iPhones and Zoom Jobs and Pink suitcases, we find the same Familial secrets being held, the generational cycle. The internal destruction of Black girls the world over as their families cover up abuse as mere disappointments, inconveniences and — always the girl’s fault.

On becoming a Guinea Fowl doesn’t want to provide solutions — we know the solution. It instead feels like a reminder that the problem is still there, and of the hopelessness and coping mechanisms of the women who endure it.

I don’t mention the abuse directly as it’s a spoiler, but needless to say, Black and African girls needn’t worry about graphic depictions, rather they should watch with caution due to the frustration that builds tension in the film being perhaps too familiar.

This is a potential Oscar contender. Rungano Nyoni‘s style is very direct. I look forward to watching more of her work.