Sundance prizewinner Lemohang Mosese is currently working on his fourth feature film, “Ancestral Visions of the Future.” This film is being presented during the Venice Production Bridge’s Final Cut workshop, which specifically focuses on films from Africa and the Arab world currently in post-production.
The film is described as a deeply personal exploration of identity, childhood, death, and exile. It follows the story of a puppeteer, a mother, a boy, a farmer, and a city in an anonymous African town. Described as an “allegorical essay,” the film centers on a puppeteer in a marketplace who urges the locals to embrace their ancestral ways.
Mosese explains that the film is his most autobiographical work to date, reflecting on his childhood experiences and the impact of violence and displacement from his homeland in Lesotho. Having lived in Berlin in recent years, he has grappled with the concept of exile in both his career and personal life, continuously contemplating the idea of returning home.
The film, “Ancestral Visions,” has been five years in the making following Mosese’s debut on the international festival circuit with his sophomore feature, “Mother, I Am Suffocating. This Is My Last Film About You,” which premiered at the Berlinale’s Forum strand in 2019.
The next film by Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese, titled “This Is Not a Burial, It’s a Resurrection,” is a visually stunning and almost mythical story about an 80-year-old widow whose village faces forced resettlement for a dam construction project. This film made its debut in the international competition at the Sundance Film Festival in 2020, where it received a special jury prize for its visionary storytelling. According to Variety’s Guy Lodge, the film represents a rare and avant-garde form of Southern African storytelling that was highly praised.
Remarkably, “This Is Not a Burial, It’s a Resurrection” marked the first time Lesotho submitted a film for the best international feature film category at the Oscars. Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese attributes much of his success to his mother, who inspired his film “Ancestral Visions” and supported him during a challenging childhood. Despite facing eviction, his mother remained unwavering in her determination to build a future for her family, instilling in Mosese the values of perseverance and belief in one’s dreams.
Mosese reflects on his upbringing in Lesotho and acknowledges that his mother’s influence was pivotal in shaping his aspirations. He emphasizes the importance of having the courage to believe in oneself, especially in the context of pursuing a career in cinema from a place like Lesotho.