Teza is beautifully photographed with a compelling story. The Screenplay, which Gerima wrote, Won an award in the Venice Film Festival. Through a series of flash-forwards and flashbacks Gerima's protagonist deals with complex issues about communism, revolution, racism, war, family and love. The film is long but the stories twists and turns do not make it seem long. Allegorical, musical, mystical and riveting can be used to describe the film. Gerima brings to mind directors such as Terrence Malick. The sights, sounds and smells of Ethiopia are captured in the film along with the pain that comes with the cost of war. The story, its subject matter and the way it was photographed all have heart, soul and conviction. Teza is a serious film, one of the heaviest and most layered films I've seen in a while. Gerima is a filmmakers filmmaker and I think everyone should see this film.
