Watch Liyana

Liyana is a compelling 2017 documentary film that incorporates elements of animation in telling a powerful story of a young girl from Swaziland. The movie follows the eponymous character Liyana, a young girl who is brought to an orphanage after her parents die of AIDS. The film is directed by Aaron Kopp and Amanda Kopp and is produced by Thandie Newton.

What is unique about this film is the way it blends reality and fantasy. The story of Liyana is fashioned out of a series of interviews conducted with five orphaned children. As they delve into their imaginations, they create a character that they name Liyana, who is modeled after the struggles of the children in the interviews. The real-life stories of poverty, disease, and loss inspire the fantasy story of Liyana.

As the children describe the character's story, an animator draws the images of them, creating a visually stunning world that is both joyful and heartbreaking. The story of Liyana revolves around her journey to rescue her twin brothers after they are kidnapped by a group of men who have infiltrated her village. She embarks on a perilous adventure that takes her through a vast and mystical landscape to find her brothers and restore her village's peace.

The movie is not just a whimsical fairytale, as it features some of the toughest issues that African communities face. The film reveals the stark reality of HIV/AIDS, poverty, and loss in the life of children in Africa. Through Liyana's quest, the children are given a platform to express their fears and hopes, discuss their experiences, and explain what life is like for them. From the movie's beginning, viewers become immersed in the Swaziland community's incredible resilience, hope, and spirit.

The film's character Liyana is portrayed by Gcina Mhlophe, who is a prominent South African storyteller. She narrates the movie in a captivating way, making the fantastical and magical parts of the story feel real. Her presence in the movie also serves to draw parallels between the real-life struggles and the mythical world portrayed in the film.

There is a lot that viewers can learn about African culture and storytelling in this film. As the children create the tale of Liyana, they blend different styles of storytelling, from folklore to more contemporary elements. The movie highlights the richness of African lore and storytelling and how it can inform and educate children from all over the world.

The movie offers a unique perspective on the African orphan crisis, which has been covered widely by the media. It is fascinating to see how the orphans in the movie handle their situation, with grace and dignity despite the odds stacked against them. The film serves as a reminder that although poverty is a reality for many African communities, people do not lose their humanity or hope.

The production of the movie is also top-notch. The animation captures the beauty of Swaziland's countryside and is a masterful blend of traditional African art and contemporary techniques. The music also complements the visuals, offering a soulful and authentic experience that underscores the story's emotional intensity.

Ultimately, Liyana is a profound testament to the resilience of the human spirit, the transformative power of storytelling, and the richness of African culture. It is an excellent movie for families and children who want to learn more about the world and its cultural diversity. The movie shows that there is magic in every child, regardless of their life circumstances, and that their stories can transform the lives of others.

Liyana is a 2018 animated movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 17 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4 and a MetaScore of 80.