Susan Knox Wilson
Liyana, the exceptionally moving documentary film presented at the PebbleCreek Cinema Society in February, left many members stunned and grasping for words to adequately describe it. “Part documentary, part animation, pure magic,” suggested one film-goer. How about “gorgeous; unlike any documentary you’ve ever seen,” said another. And yet another film buff suggested, “a joyous, affecting and incredible piece of documentary filmmaking.” Even through struggling to find the right words to describe it, everyone agreed Liyana is a truly outstanding film and clearly deserving of the more than 30 film festival awards it has won to date.
Liyana is a fictional character created by orphans living at the Likhaya Lemphilo Lensha home in Swaziland. With the help of South African author and storyteller Gcina Mhlophe, the children create the story of Liyana, and as they do so we see it come to glorious “life” via animation done by Nigerian-born artist Shofela Coker. As the story develops, it includes AIDS, alcoholism, kidnapping and rape. These are not typical plot elements in the stories young children create, but they are, sadly, elements of life these children know all too well. The children featured in this documentary are among the estimated 200,000 orphans in Swaziland, a tiny country in southern Africa with the world’s highest HIV infection rate.
Like their exceptionally charismatic subjects, husband-and-wife filmmakers Aaron Kopp (who grew up in Swaziland) and Amanda Kopp acknowledge these harrowing realities without dwelling on them. The Kopps give the kids center stage and the result is a lyrical work that’s as bright and captivating as it is poignant. The beautifully crafted film is a spirited testament to the power of creativity; not only as a source of strength and joy, but as a way to access buried emotions.
In addition to raising awareness about current problems the orphans of Swaziland face, the filmmakers hope to use the fictional story of Liyana and her heroism to “inspire the next generation of leaders to embrace their own strength and identities.” They aim to encourage young people of all colors and backgrounds to make their voices and stories heard. As part of this effort, the filmmakers are turning the heroic story of Liyana into a beautiful graphic novel featuring the stunning artwork used in the film and are currently raising funds to finish the book, have it translated into several African languages and make copies available for children across the U.S., Swaziland, Southern Africa and beyond. If you’d like to help, visit their website www.liyanathemovie.com/getinvolved/.