A popsicle seller in the city must choose: cash or his father's dead.
"The Return" deals with rural exodus, the return to the land, the antagonism between two worlds: that of urban dwellers and of the rural areas deeply rooted in tradition. Ranaivo lives in Antananarivo. To make ends meet, he sells ice lollies. his father, Ratovo, comes to the capital to ask for his son’s help. he needs money to organize the turning of the dead ceremony. After the village celebration, Ranaivo decides to leave the capital and emigrates to the highlands where everything is open to those who want to get back to the land.
Direction
Randrasana's patient observation of ritual and hesitation.
Production
Authentic Malagasy highlands, no exoticism, just lived-in texture.
Director
Ignace Solo Randrasana
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The 'famadihana' (turning of the dead) is a real Malagasy tradition, not fictionalized for drama.
One of precious few Malagasy films from this era; most cinema infrastructure was French-controlled.
MG
