Watch The Grass is Singing

The Grass is Singing, released in 1981, is a poignant drama film based on the novel of the same title written by Nobel Prize-winning author Doris Lessing. Directed by Michael Raeburn, the movie stars Karen Black, John Thaw, and John Kani. Set in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), the film explores the racial tensions and socio-political changes that occurred during the colonial period in Africa. The story follows Mary Turner, a white woman who, after a failed attempt at being a governess, marries a farmer and moves to a remote area. Mary feels isolated and restless in her new home, where she struggles to cope with the harsh and unforgiving environment.

Things take a dramatic turn when Mary meets Moses, a black servant, and they start a passionate affair. The illicit relationship is not only taboo but also carries considerable danger because interracial liaisons were illegal at the time. The tension and conflict in the film arise from the ingrained racial prejudices of the white settlers and the mixed-race communities' feelings of oppression and injustice.

As the film progresses, the viewer sees the gradual disintegration of Mary's mental and emotional state. Her involvement with Moses and the guilt and shame associated with their relationship, compounded by her growing sense of isolation and disillusionment, practically drive her to insanity.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the film is how the African landscape becomes an integral part of the storytelling. The film's title references the subtle and mysterious sounds that can be heard coming from the dry grasses in the bushveld. These sounds were often thought to be the spirits' voices or the land's songs, conveying messages of meaning that only a select few could hear. The film has a lyrical quality and a dreamlike ambiance, and the cinematography captures the stark beauty of the African landscapes.

The film's performances are breathtaking, particularly Karen Black's portrayal of Mary. She expertly conveys the character's interior journey from a repressed and anxious woman to someone who is finally able to articulate her desires and confront her demons. John Thaw gives a compelling performance as Richard Turner, Mary's husband, who represents the oppressive forces of colonialism. John Kani, in the role of Moses, provides a powerful representation of the African peoples' strength and resilience.

The Grass is Singing is a film that explores the complex relationships between colonizers and colonized, black and white, and the conflicting emotions that arise when these relationships cross the lines of propriety and convention. It raises questions about power dynamics, morality, and cultural values and offers a window into the irrational fears and prejudices that fuel the most egregious forms of oppression.

Ultimately, The Grass is Singing is a story about the human capacity to love, suffer, and transform. It is a meditation on the choices we make and the consequences that follow. The film's abstract, poetic style and the subtle performances of its actors make it a fascinating, albeit challenging, cinematic experience that deserves to be seen and appreciated.

The Grass is Singing is a 1981 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.0.