Our Lady of the Chinese Shop (2022)
- Original title
- Nossa Senhora da Loja do Chinês
- Genre
- drama film
- Country
- Angola
- Rating
- 6.7 of 10 from 3 voters
- Elsewhere
- IMDb
The catalogue in 3D
The film shelves have a room of their own that you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real films from the same catalogue when you tell them what you feel like watching. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this film is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.
How it feels
The film follows a Chinese merchant in Luanda amid Angola's postcolonial landscape. It depicts everyday interactions that reveal subtle tensions around religion, imperialism, and national unease. The story mostly unfolds without dialogue, relying on images and quiet observation.
slow-burncerebralsomberpoeticdocumentary-styleunderstatedvisually strikingreserved
What happens
Our Lady of the Chinese Shop is a 2022 Angolan drama film written and directed by Ery Claver on his directorial feature film debut. The film was set in the backdrop of Luanda. The film storyline is based on the colonialism, imperialism, religion and national malaise. The film largely portrayed novice actors who were largely unknown in film fraternity but were praised for their authentic performances despite lack of interaction throughout the film. The director of the film decided to take a subtle dig at China's gawing influence over Angola through this film by portraying the story of a Chinese merchant's opportunism. The film was produced by Geração 80. However, the film was criticised for its slow phased screenplay, obscure plots and lack of dialogues but was praised for its visual storytelling and poetic narration with some critics calling the film similar to a documentary version. The film was screened as part of the First Feature Competition at the 2022 London Film Festival in October 2022. It was also screened in Red Sea Film Festival and at the Film Festival Gent. According to The Africa Report, it was ranked among top ten most notable African films of 2022. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)
More like this
Air Conditioner (2020)
The Hero (2004)
De Armas e Bagagens (2013)
Out of This World
Cartas de Angola (2011)
Yvone Kane (2014)
From Patrice to Lumumba (2019)
My Red Comrade (2024)- More like this film, on a shelf you can walk up to.It's the lit case on the top shelf.