Farewell Amor

Name: Farewell Amor
Released: December 11, 2020
Duration: 101 min
Rating: 75

2020

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Generally favorable reviews based on 16 Critic Reviews

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Movie Details & Credits

IFC Films | Release Date: December 11, 2020 | NR

Summary: After 17 years in exile, Walter finally reunites with his family after being forced to leave Angola for New York City. We meet the family as Walter is picking up his wife, Esther, and daughter, Sylvia, from the airport to bring them home to his one-bedroom Brooklyn apartment. They quickly discover how the years of separation have turnedAfter 17 years in exile, Walter finally reunites with his family after being forced to leave Angola for New York City. We meet the family as Walter is picking up his wife, Esther, and daughter, Sylvia, from the airport to bring them home to his one-bedroom Brooklyn apartment. They quickly discover how the years of separation have turned them into absolute strangers. As they attempt to overcome the personal and political hurdles amongst them, they rely on the muscle memory of dance to find their way back “home.” … Expand

Rating: NR

Runtime: 101 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Kevin Crust

Dec 16, 2020

Its beauty lies in its empathy — something currently in short supply and therefore very welcome in the stories we consume. Read full review

Mary Sollosi

Dec 14, 2020

Its gentle, understated tone belies Msangi’s careful attention to rhythm and detail, though the simplicity of the plot, particularly in a few mild contrivances, slightly undermines the story’s authenticity. Read full review

Simran Hans

Dec 21, 2020

There are three sides to every story in Ekwa Msangi’s vivid and carefully observed feature debut, and so she cleverly splits the film into thirds, replaying the action but changing the vantage point with each chapter. Read full review

The Film Stage Matt Cipolla

Nov 3, 2020

Msangi pulls off something most filmmakers don’t: She adapts her own short film to a feature without stretching it out. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Monica Castillo

Dec 14, 2020

Writer and director Ekwa Msangi constructs this nontraditional narrative with an attention to detail for each of these characters. Just as important as their conversations is their body language and how it shifts around one another. Read full review

Marjorie Baumgarten

Dec 11, 2020

The family’s reunion story is enhanced by showing it from each character’s perspective. Each time, we discover more about each person and come to admire the sensitivity they show toward one another. Read full review

Matthew Anderson

Nov 3, 2020

The US-born, Kenyan-raised director’s feature-length debut is told with honesty, determination and grace. Read full review

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Brent_Marchant

Apr 18, 2021

This simple tale of an Angolan immigrant family reunited after 17 years apart tells the story of how they seek to pick up the pieces and move on. Director Ekwa Msangi's debut theatrical narrative feature is told in three segments, one each from the perspectives of the three principalThis simple tale of an Angolan immigrant family reunited after 17 years apart tells the story of how they seek to pick up the pieces and move on. Director Ekwa Msangi's debut theatrical narrative feature is told in three segments, one each from the perspectives of the three principal characters (father, mother and teenage daughter). Each segment includes details of their collective story that don't appear in preceding or following chapters, thus allowing the overall narrative to be pieced together like a puzzle. By presenting the story in this way, viewers witness the bigger picture gradually come into view in much the same way that the protagonists do, a refreshingly revelatory storytelling experience. Admittedly, some of the material is somewhat predictable and more than a little bit sentimental, but these drawbacks are compensated for by fine performances, touching writing and a pervasive warmth, all aimed at shining a bright light on the experience of what it's like to live under circumstances such as these. It's an important message in a time like this, with so many from so many places living under similar conditions. In doing so, the picture illuminates the connections, challenges, hardships and reconciliations that those living out the immigrant experience go through and share with one another, no matter what their points of origin, ports of entry or hopes for the future may be.… Expand

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TVJerry

Dec 16, 2020

In an attempt to better life for his family, a man leaves war-torn Angola for the US. Seventeen years later, his family comes to join him. As can be expected, they’re virtual strangers to each other and have challenges reconnecting. The narrative is divided into 3 parts, told from the POV ofIn an attempt to better life for his family, a man leaves war-torn Angola for the US. Seventeen years later, his family comes to join him. As can be expected, they’re virtual strangers to each other and have challenges reconnecting. The narrative is divided into 3 parts, told from the POV of the father, daughter and mother. This is NOT about the political issues of immigration, but an examination of the relationships. The exposition is relayed gradually, slowly adding resonance to their back stories. With naturalistic skill the performances beautifully capture the complexity of the characters. Writer/director Ekwa Msangi has kept the focus understated, while remaining effective in its quiet emotional authority.… Expand

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