Hidden Dreams

"Hidden Dreams" is a project with greater potential than the version that circulates in film festivals as the official one, running 96 minutes. I had the opportunity to also watch a 130-minute cut and although this version requires more time and work, so that the film editor does the necessary trimming and reach the ideal duration of the movie, at its own pace, it is infinitely better than the 96-minute version. There are more details, more subtleties, more information, which make more interesting the story of Njang, a girl who is denied formal education when, following old traditions, she must become part of the "harem" of the head of the community. There is also a passionate teacher named Madame Philo who will fight with whatever weapons she finds to do justice to the girl. There are good performance by an outstanding cast led by Sylvia-Bright Nchini as Njang, Syriette Che as Philo, Vitalis Otia as the leader, and Eisten Young as Njang's love interest; plus good cinematography and direction to achieve a better cut. And above all it is necessary to adjust the soundtrack, overloaded with songs, and let the inner "music" of the images flow.