| Nganù | |
| Director: | Kang Quintus |
| Producer: | Godisz Fungwa |
| Starring: | Akwandou Blaise Atarrimah Hakeem Kae-Kazim Muriel Blanche |
| Cinematography: | Takong Delvis |
| Studio: | Kang Quintus Film |
| Distributor: | The Fu'a Touala Kadji Defosso Foundation,Netflix |
| Runtime: | 101 minutes |
| Country: | Cameroon |
| Language: | Cameroonian Pidgin English |
Nganù is a 2023 Cameroonian drama film co-written, co-produced, and directed by Kang Quintus. The film stars Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Alenne Menget, and Azah Melvin.[1]
The film, follows the life of Nganu (Kang Quintus), a troubled farmer living in a remote village in Cameroon with his wife, Meukeuna (Azah Melvin), and their son, Kum (Ayuk Gareth). Nganu, a man plagued by his violent past, frequently abuses his wife and son, blaming them for his own misfortunes. He is tormented by flashbacks of his abusive father (Alenne Menget) and the suffering endured by his mother (Muriel Blanche) during his childhood.
Nganu's behavior worsens when he discovers that Meukeuna is pregnant, leading him to accuse her of infidelity. His suspicion that Kum is not his biological son fuels his hostility towards the boy. Concerned neighbors suggest that Nganu join the army, hoping it will provide him with a sense of purpose and help him manage his anger. Reluctantly, Nganu enlists and is introduced to Captain Bello (Hakeem Kae-Kazim), a strict but fair officer who recognizes his potential. In the military, Nganu forms bonds with fellow soldiers like Nabil (Nabil Fongod) and Ko-C (Ko-C), who share their personal stories and experiences with him.
These interactions lead Nganu to gradually respect and trust his comrades, showing signs of personal growth and remorse for his past actions. However, the violence and atrocities he witnesses in the army reignite his old traumas, exacerbating his aggression. When he learns of his wife's childbirth, his obsession with their paternity and fidelity intensifies.
Nganu deserts the army and returns to his village, armed and unstable. He confronts Meukeuna and Kum, demanding the truth about their paternity and threatening to kill them if they lie. The confrontation culminates in a dramatic showdown that determines the fate of Nganu and his family.[2] [3]
The film was produced by Kang Quintus Film. Directed by Kang Quintus. in partnership with The Fu'a Touala Kadji Defosso Foundation and Cameroon Ministry Of Defense.[5]
The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and was made available on Netflix on November 7, 2023.[6] [7] [8]
It was listed among the top movies of 2023 at Eko International Film Festival (EKOIFF) held in Lagos, Nigeria, and received the award for Best Feature Film.[9] [10]
Joseph Jonathan of Afrocritik stated: "With its serious tone, the film artfully portrays how the wounds inflicted in the past can influence future relationships. Nganù’s journey reflects the enduring impact of childhood trauma, mirroring strained relationships with family and peers." He further noted that the storytelling occasionally appears fragmented, with certain scenes lacking the desired depth and emotional impact, ultimately giving the film 2.5 out of 5 stars.[11]
In his review for A good movie to watch, Emil Hofileña commented on the film's overall design, stating, "Despite its ambition to be a more serious piece of drama, Nganù is unfortunately held back either by a general lack of technical polish (sometimes leading to unintentional comedy within its dead-serious subject matter) or the misjudged attempt to feel grander than it should. When the film sticks to painful, ugly, intimate human drama, it actually starts to command attention. There's a striking lack of romantic sentiment to this story of a horrible person trying to redeem himself, as the film's many handheld camera shots capture its best performers at their nastiest (or most defiant)—showing us that the road to healing isn't actually as easy as it seems in Hollywood movies. Nganù sticks to its strict sense of morality, which is the best thing it could have done."
Hofileña further noted, "Despite some of those aforementioned unintentional laughs and awkward line readings making their way all the way to the end, the film's concluding scenes are still surprisingly bold. You really just expect all redemption arcs to end a certain way, but Nganù makes a gamble with its ending and sticks the landing much more than it misses it." He gave the film a rating of 5.9 out of 10 stars.[12]
Benoit Yuven Of The hotjem gave the film 7/10 stars describing the film as a story that many will relate to in our today’s world, whether we agree or not. Despite some of the repetitions, the movie is clearly advocating against domestic violence and abuse.[13]