THIS IS NOT A BURIAL,
IT’S A RESURRECTION
by Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese
Synopsis: Amongst the pythonic mountains of land-locked Lesotho, an 80-year-old widow winds up her earthly affairs, makes arrangements for her burial and prepares to die.
But when her village is threatened with forced resettlement due to the construction of a reservoir, she finds a new will to live and ignites a collective spirit of defiance within her community. In the final dramatic moments of her life, Mantoa’s legend is forged and made eternal.
Cast: Mary Twala, Jerry Mofokeng, Makhaola Ndebele.
2020 / Drama / Lesotho, South Africa, Italy / 120 min / Sesotho / Completed
Produced by Urucu Media (The Wound, Necktie Youth).
The first narrative feature film ever made by a Mosotho director / Lesotho’s Oscar submission.
“Every once in a while, a movie reinvigorates one’s faith in the artistic capacity of an entire medium through pure intuition of form and mastery of intent, but rarely is a filmmaker able to do so while economically using almost every tool available to them, like an orchestra conductor might”
— The Playlist
“A striking and mesmerizing fictional debut (…). A vivid, beautifully crafted reflection on identity, community and the tension between respecting age-old traditions and accepting the seemingly unstoppable march of progress”
— Screendaily
“Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese’s mise-en-scène and camerawork are breathtaking”
— Slant Magazine
“Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese is undoubtedly a talent with great potential”
— Cineuropa
