Direction: Ekwa Msangi
Country: USA
Going back and forth in time, Farewell Amor tells the story of an Angolan family - husband Walter (Ntare Mwine), wife Esther (Zainab Jah) and teen daughter Sylvia (a notable debut by Jayme Lawson) - that reunites in Brooklyn, New York, after 17 years apart.
However, and despite the tranquil storytelling envisioned by the Tanzanian-American writer/director Ekwa Msangi, their relationships are far from placid. Walter, fled the Angolan civil war to pursue the American dream, whereas his wife moved to Tanzania with their baby daughter, waiting for things to get better. But the years have passed… Walter found solace and strength in another woman and a small supportive Angolan community, whereas Esther became not just a strict and lonely person but also a religious fanatic. Figuring how to adapt to the new culture, Sylvia dreams to be a dancer, an idea instantly discouraged by her mother but supported by her estranged father.
Gladly, this emotionally-driven immigrant song doesn’t feed on tears. Msangi turns her affectionate eyes to the center of the adversities while gently pushing the family into harmonious comfort, restoring hope. A fair dose of honesty and terrific performances by the three leads contributed to a sympathetic debut feature.
