Lamb (Yared Zeleke, 2015): Ethiopia, France, Germany, Norway, Qatar

Reviewed by Vincenzo Muia at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2016. Lobero Theater.

Director Yared Zeleke makes his feature film debut with Lamb (Yarek Zeleke, 2015), a coming-of-age story about a young boy, Ephraim (Rediat Amare), and his quest to return home to his father from a stay with distant relatives and to protect his beloved pet ewe, Chuli, from a feast in which she is the main course. Zeleke paints a colorful and contrasting story set in northern Ethiopia about traditions, gender expectations, and a profound kinship between the young protagonist and his pet. If learning about world culture attracts your attention, allow Lamb to be your sherpa into a facet of Ethiopia and its culture.

Yared Zeleke makes international cinema history by writing and directing the first-ever Ethiopian film to screen at the Cannes Film Festival. Zeleke’s film not only took part in the event, Lamb was nominated for Cannes’ Caméra d’Or (Golden Camera), which is an award of the for the best first feature film presented in one of the Cannes’ selections as well as receiving a nomination in the category Un Certain Regard, which recognizes young talent and encourages innovative and daring works.

Upon his mother’s death, 9-year old Ephraim is sent from his parched village to live with an aunt in the North, while his father ventures to Addis Ababa for work. He brings his beloved pet ewe, Chuli, to accompany him to the distant family and lands. Ephraim’s stern Uncle Solomon (Surafel Teka) demonstrates to Ephraim about the labors of farming as well as patriarchal expectations, but Ephraim is much more content to remain home to hone his skills of cooking, much to the dismay of his traditional uncle. Under the guide of his aunt Emama (Welela Assefa), she provides a safe passage for Ephraim to continue to his passion for cooking. However, the arrival of an upcoming feast may doom Ephraim’s pet for sacrifice. Ephraim, now facing unflinching adversity, arranges a plan to return to his father with Chuli in tow.

Josée Deshaies, cinematographer, shoots a film that juxtaposes the chaos of street markets in Ethiopia alongside the sweeping, untouched beauty of Ethiopia’s countryside. This cinematographic contrast allows the viewer an escape from the dusty market roads into a lush, hilltop paradise retreat. Zeleke welcomes the viewer to his home country by offering introspect into Ethiopian culture. Lamb emits a documentary feel incorporated into the fictional narrative making Ethiopia the real star of the film. The mise-en-scene reveals an intimate portrait of traditional clothing, food, and eskita, an Ethiopian shoulder dance.

If a viewer was fortunate enough to establish a profound connection with a pet, Lamb will speak to your soul and remind you once again the precious gift of life.