Our Lady of the Nile

A simply beautifully shot, acted and directed movie. The next time someone asks you for a secret gem of a movie recommendation mention this one.

I was so moved by this film in Berlin. I am still getting over the impact of this celebration of resilience and hope. The children were all wonderful. A must see. I can't imagine why so many bad ratings it must be a organized spiteful group as this film certainly does not deserve such dislike.

The movie has a touching story that unravels slowly across multiple chapters. Why does it even has chapters? Why is the film turns black and white on two occasions for about 90 seconds each time? This comes over as unnecessary artistic quirks that only serve the purpose to remind, that it is a festival movie. The cinematography otherwise is superb, with stunning shots of nature.

Great story-telling, exceptional cinematography. I can understand why this flick's rating is so low. Racial bigotry causes this shameful mislead. Notre-Dame du Nil is a true gem for being aware of Ruanda's and Africa's heartbreaking history. Telling the irrational and European-made hatred between African people, even they lived as neighbours for centuries. Atiq Rahimi artistically prepares a vivid and convincing atmosphere where audience's questions are answered by good acting and strong script. This movie is telling the sorrow and anguish of innocents. While ironically this restores our faith in humanity.

I admitt, from the first scenes , my thoughts were about the Rwandian massacre of 1993.

The film reminds its root. A lie of a young girl , covering a mistake sustained by nationalism and selfishness, giving birth to hate in terrible forms.

The story of a Catholic institute, few girls, myths, games, love stories and discipline, friendship and the fall of innocence.

Its virtues - the profound honesty, the universality of story, because the hate has not citizenship and a powerful warning about a moment changing, in radical manner, the life of a community, the life of a nation.

Few scenes defines it, maybe, the more tribble being the talk between priest and director of institut, the most touching, the obsession for tutsi past of the venerable Frenchman.

More than a well crafted film. First, a powerful warning.