After giving birth to a son with a cleft lip, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy, the lead character of Children of the Mountain is faced with immeasurable cruelty from her community. Actress Rukiyat Masud plays Essuman, a yam trader who is rejected by her partner and others who believe in superstitions that suggest her son’s deformity is a result of the mother’s “dirty womb.” She sets out searching for support and acceptance, a journey as much for his healing as her own, in Priscilla Anany’s enthralling debut film, which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival on April 17.
It is the first time a Ghanaian film has debuted at the prestigious New York event. It is also the first time that Ewe dialect has been featured in a film, much to the delight of those who speak Anany’s native language.
“There are only a few African stories about Africans, told by Africans,” she told Women in the World. “I thought it was important to show my life story and where I am from by sharing it with the world.” The film festival applauded Anany’s storytelling last Thursday by presenting the filmmaker with its 2015 award for the best new narrative director.