disappointment media
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • The Snake Hole
  • About

[TIFF 2021] LINGUI, THE SACRED BONDS -- An Abortion Drama That Will Leave You Shaken

9/18/2021

0 Comments

 
Review by Sean Boelman
Picture
Image Courtesy of TIFF.
Mahamat-Saleh Haroun’s film Lingui, The Sacred Bonds might be set in the African country of Chad, but its themes resonate across the world, especially given recent events in America. Tackling its important themes in a way that will leave viewers absolutely shaken, this is one of the most hidden gems of the Fall festival circuit.

The movie follows a practicing Muslim woman who discovers that her teenage daughter is pregnant and wants to have an abortion, causing them to gain the scorn of their community. Although it has a premise that has been done before, and quite effectively, Haroun’s film manages to still feel essential thanks to its combination of empathy and honesty.

One of the most impressive things about this movie is how refreshingly minimalistic it is. With a runtime of under an hour and a half, the film does just enough to get its point across without going overboard. It’s a slow-burn of watching these people’s world crashing down around them until the final act ties everything together in a truly heartbreaking way.

Of course, in a direct sense, the movie speaks out against the anti-abortion laws in Africa. But this is also indicative of greater issues there are with the patriarchy. The political statements that the film makes are obvious but don’t feel like they are beating the audience over the head, instead showing the trauma this inflicts on people to leave audiences feeling disturbed.
Picture
Image Courtesy of TIFF.
The character development in the movie is also extremely strong. Telling the film from the perspective of the mother rather than the pregnant teenager seemed like a problematic decision at first, but Haroun’s script writes them both in a fully-rounded way. It’s a movie about internal struggles, and the arcs are truly compelling.

Both of the lead actresses here are amazing. Achouackh Abakar’s turn is brilliant, commanding the screen in a way that is quiet but filled with emotion. Rihane Khalil Alio is also very strong in her role, her first-ever performance, having exceptional chemistry with Abakar who plays her mother.

From a technical standpoint, the film is very reserved but it is fitting given its low-key nature. Nothing about the movie’s execution is flashy, from its cinematography to the score, but it works very well. Haroun rightfully focuses on the performances as the main source of the film’s power, and it pays off in droves.

Lingui, The Sacred Bonds effectively makes the audience feel the heartbreak of the characters without ever feeling emotionally manipulative. It is one of the best movies about the issue to have come out, and it is particularly timely at the moment.

Lingui, The Sacred Bonds screened at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival, which runs September 9-18.

​Rating: 5/5
               
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019

    Authors

    All
    Adam Donato
    Alan French
    Allison Brown
    Borja Izuzquiz
    Camden Ferrell
    Cole Groth
    Daniel Lima
    Dan Skip Allen
    Erin M. Brady
    Jonathan Berk
    Joseph Fayed
    Josh Batchelder
    Paris Jade
    Rafael Motamayor
    Sarah Williams
    Sean Boelman
    Tatiana Miranda

disappointment media

Dedicated to unique and diverse perspectives on cinema!
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • The Snake Hole
  • About