Introduction –
A Golden Horn & Efere Ozako Award Winner for Best Short Film, The Letter Reader is a coming of age love story, a young lad’s crush on an older woman.
Synopsis –
The Letter Reader is a slow, sweet and painful short film belonging to “Coming of Age” genre. Siya ( Bahle Mashinini ), a young lad, around twelve, visits his grandmother in KwaZulu-Natal. He realizes that all is not well between his parents and one of the reasons for his visit to the village. Although he is hurt and misses city life he helps his grandmother run her small grocery store. The outlet also doubles up as an unofficial letter collection center. Gradually, he turns into a letter reader for the uneducated village folks, a service his grandfather offered when he was alive.
One of the recipients is Nobuhle ( Nomalanga Shabane ), a woman whose husband, Menzi ( Andile Gumbi ) has migrated to the city of gold for better prospects. Siya offers to read the letter to her. When he is through, Nobuhle is touched by her husband’s love note. Tears dance in her eyes. That evening she dresses in her best clothes and reminisces her earlier days. She then keeps the letter on the bed and continues to pamper herself. In the background, the content of the letter echoes in her husband’s voice. It says that he doesn’t love her and that he is parting ways as nothing is left in their marriage. The words are exactly the opposite of what Siya read to her.
It is obvious young Siya has fallen in love with Nobuhle, a woman fifteen years older to him and married. Siya then drafts more letters and every time he mentions her husband’s name on the envelope. Siya’s love story comes to an end when Nobuhle’s husband returns home and he has to return to the city after his parents patch-up.
Watch The Letter Reader to know Siya’s fate …
Analysis –
The Letter Reader can be described in just two words “simplicity personified”. Interestingly, it is shot in the Eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal, an expanse that complements the script beautifully, in terms of setting.. Although the film plays out at a leisurely pace, it is suitably compensated with endearing background score which somehow adds a new dimension, a distinct appeal to the rustic, countryside setting. Bahle Mashinini and Nomalanga Shabane’s performances are inspiring in spite of frugal dialogs or interactions while the art direction, especially the costumes and authentic habitats demands a special mention.
2019 Sibusiso Khuzwayo Sibusiso Khuzwayo 3o Minutes Netflix | Showmax