Analysis Of The Film War Witch

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The inferior status that has been inherited by the women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has resulted in the objectification of them. Due to this lack of respect for women, during one of the deadliest wars since World War II, the Congolese civil war has brought about pain and suffering upon women and has stripped away their rights. A multiple award winning film, War Witch, displayed circumstances young girls have to live through and how those circumstances impact them. War witch was primarily filmed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and was centered on the Congolese civil war in Sub Sahara Africa. Komona a twelve year old girl is the protagonist of the film, the film begins with rebel fighters in makeshift boats coming on shore, …show more content…

Presumably those viewing has not undergone such hardship it is a human instinct to show sympathy to those in pain. Although there are numerous scenes that portray these emotions the opening scene displays the deep poverty Komona lives in as well as what many child soldiers have to undergo upon the arrival of the rebels. War witch did an excellent job capturing the pain and heartache children face during these circumstances. This is shown in the moments leading up to the death of Komona parents where she is given an ultimatum; kill your parents and give them a fast and painless death or have them die slowly and painfully at the hands of a machete. The audience in all probability felt sympathy for her because no child should ever be put in that situation. Though this occurred at the beginning of the film this was one of the most memorable scenes of the movie and shed some light on some of the psychologically damaging situations child soldiers are put in. Additionally the audience was made to feel hopeful. This was achieved by means of her source of happiness her husband, Magician, brought her. Although she was put in tragic circumstances a child soldier would inevitably face, Magician served as a form of hope for her. He loved her, made her laugh, smile, and proved that she didn’t have to be sad. This appeased the audience because …show more content…

The female perspective is now brought to light as War Witch highlights that it happens all children regardless of gender and age. The lack of rights Komona possesses throughout the film is evident. Repeatedly she is abused by those in authority by means of rape and other physical abuse. Upon her capturing she is whisked off into the jungle where her training had begun, during one of the journeys from one part of the jungle to another she had fallen down due to the heavy weight she was carrying. Komona was then beaten excessively and forced to get back up and continue walking. Women and girls were viewed as lesser beings than men so they had no regard for her welfare. Her freedom was stripped away from her as well after she was captured. Having no say in it she was forced to become a soldier. After drinking from a tree sap which caused her to hallucinate she was announced the Great Tiger’s witch, she became a piece of property. This made it considerably harder to gain her freedom. When she did succeed it came with consequences resulting in the murder of her husband and the recapturing of herself. Komona’s right to say no was snatched away from her the first time she was raped and the many times after that. Men old enough to be her father were forced upon her, she was unable to resist because that could result in either her death or being physically beaten. In order to kill her commander she had to

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