Unveiling Family Secrets: A Riveting Film Explores a Zambian Family's Troubled History

The final scene of Rungano Nyoni’s “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl” brings together all the elements seen throughout the film. The story, centered on a sudden death and hidden family truths in Zambia, reaches a powerful climax with a heated argument that threatens to overshadow any sense of understanding. The themes of trauma, sexism, and absurdity blend together in a troubling mix that is hard to digest, for both the audience and the protagonist.

Throughout the film's exploration of family dynamics and the sometimes harmful influence of group mentality, there has been a sense of calm. However, in this pivotal moment, the tension rises. It becomes clear that the undercurrent of anger, previously unnoticed, has been present all along.

Nyoni's initial success came with her debut film "I Am Not A Witch," which gained recognition at the Cannes Film Festival in 2017 and earned her a prestigious BAFTA award. Following this achievement, the Zambian British filmmaker presented another powerful work at the festival, this time with strong support from US distributor A24 and producer Element Pictures. Her talent was acknowledged once again as she received the award for best director in the Un Certain Regard competition on May 24.

From being a 'sorcerer' and an illegal immigrant to achieving success at Cannes and the Oscars, this filmmaker has had a remarkable journey. Just like her debut film, which was a satire on witch camps in Zambia, her latest film "Guinea Fowl" also tackles injustice in a tragicomic manner. In this new film, the writer-director focuses on historic abuse and the consequences when the perpetrator refuses to take responsibility.

The idea for the film came from a plotline that Nyoni had previously discarded, as she mentioned in an interview with CNN at the festival. She decided to revisit the idea after conducting extensive research, which involved speaking with survivors in Zambia for her screenplay written in Bemba and English.

During her interviews, Nyoni was struck by how people seemed to treat sexual abuse as a casual topic. She noted that in some cases, everyone knew who the perpetrator was and yet still interacted with them as if nothing was wrong. This led her to question how one could handle such a situation, where a known abuser is seated at the dinner table and asked to pass the salt. The surreal nature of this scenario left Nyoni pondering how one could refrain from reacting by setting everything ablaze.

Writer-director Rungano Nyoni was born in Zambia and later moved to Wales as a child. During the production of "On Becoming A Guinea Fowl," she chose to set both of her feature films in her home country.

Nyoni wanted to explore the idea that many people struggle to speak up. She believes that the silence and submissiveness experienced in not speaking out is a recurring theme in her filmmaking.

Shula (Susan Chardy) is a middle-class Zambian who has recently returned from living abroad. One night, on her way back from a fancy dress party, she finds her uncle dead by the roadside. She tells her father, who responds strangely, saying "Uncle Fred can’t die. Just sprinkle some water on him."

It turns out that her father is partially right - Uncle Fred has been haunting Shula ever since he abused her as a child. This dark secret is not unique to Shula, as we discover that there are other survivors in the family. Despite the family history of abuse not being a secret, there is still a funeral to plan, mourning to go through, and a lot of painful memories to bury.

Nyoni spices up her drama with surreal images and poetic touches, taking the audience on a journey through the looking glass. She then brings them back with dark humor, prompting us to ponder if what we are witnessing is truly as bizarre as it seems.

‘Io Capitano’ is a film based on true events that recently won at the Venice Film Festival. In the movie, Shula faces criticism from her family members for not showing enough emotion after a traumatic event. One aunty tells her she doesn't look traumatized and another instructs her to cry, questioning why she appears cold-hearted and embarrassing them in front of others.

Nyoni believes her film offers a different perspective on abuse compared to typical movie portrayals. In many films, revealing a secret leads to immediate support from others, but in reality, this is not always the case. She questions how individuals cope when they are not met with the expected understanding and support.

In "Guinea Fowl," the film highlights a paradox where the silence surrounding abuse not only destroys individuals but also keeps families together. In this story, respect and obligation take precedence, and despite the turmoil within, visitors to the family home see only a facade of normalcy. The fact that this occurs within a matriarchal society, where men are often marginalized, adds another layer of complexity to the situation.

The writer-director hinted, "I know a thing or two about keeping secrets." When it comes to the family dynamics in the film, she added, "I am familiar with this topic, but what you see on screen is a fictionalized version of my personal experiences."

Maggie Mulubwa in "I Am Not A Witch," Rungano Nyoni's 2017 film. Mulubwa's character is also called Shula, the name of Nyoni's great grandmother, which the writer-director has given to three characters in her career to date.

Maggie Mulubwa stars as Shula in "I Am Not A Witch," a film by Rungano Nyoni released in 2017. The character's name is a tribute to Nyoni's great grandmother, who has inspired three characters in the writer-director's career so far.

In the world of cinema, this film falls under the genre of Kinology.

Faced with a family omerta and a dead perpetrator, Shula finds herself with nowhere to direct her anger. Her father advises her to let go of the past, emphasizing that it is inappropriate to speak ill of the deceased. However, as memories continue to resurface, Shula's response to her abuser's death raises questions about those who enabled him.

In her first major role, Chardy successfully takes on the challenge of portraying Shula. The actor shares, "I deeply relate to her character. I have a strong desire to express myself, and in this role, I am navigating the fine line between feeling powerless and powerful at the same time."

The writer-director relates to her lead character, seeing similarities in their shared sense of rage. Nyoni acknowledges that this rage, though present, may be more subdued and suppressed. She views her screenwriting as a mirror of her own experiences, allowing her emotions to flow freely without interference.

Writer-director Rungano Nyoni (left) and actress Susan Chardy (right) pose during a photocall at the Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2024.

Writer-director Rungano Nyoni (left) and actress Susan Chardy (right) pose during a photocall at the Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2024.

LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images

Nyoni was not only focused on Shula's perspective in the film. She also incorporated the narrative of Fred's young widow, portrayed by Norah Mwansa. This character is not only a victim herself, but is further victimized by Fred's death.

Nyoni shared, "I found the widow character challenging, so we spoke to individuals who have experienced similar situations. They were very honest, shared their stories openly, and provided valuable insight."

She added, "I have worse stories to share about what really happens than what is shown in the film. Widows often become the scapegoat for many people's frustrations."

In its concluding part, "Guinea Fowl" illustrates the challenges of breaking the cycle of abuse. Despite the complex portrayal of family trauma by Nyoni, there is a glimmer of hope through Shula and a powerful moment that symbolizes everything.

Chardy believes that the most impactful shot in the film is when the character Shula takes ownership of her experiences and empowers others along the way.

She hopes that the film's message of strength and determination will connect with viewers, especially women who have faced similar challenges. Chardy emphasizes the importance of sharing experiences and supporting one another in difficult times.

"I hope that viewers can draw inspiration from the journey that Shula embarks on."

"Premiering at the Cannes Film Festival, 'On Becoming A Guinea Fowl' will soon be showing in theaters in the US and UK."

Editor's P/S:

"On Becoming a Guinea Fowl" is a powerful and thought-provoking film that explores the complex themes of trauma, sexism, and family dynamics. Writer-director Rungano Nyoni deftly weaves a narrative that is both deeply moving and unsettling, leaving a lasting impact on the viewer. The film's exploration of the silence surrounding abuse and the consequences of ignoring it is particularly striking.

Nyoni's use of surreal imagery and poetic touches adds a unique layer to the film, creating a sense of unease and disorientation. The film's conclusion, which offers a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness, is a testament to Nyoni's skill as a storyteller. "On Becoming a Guinea Fowl" is a must-see for anyone interested in thought-provoking and emotionally resonant cinema.