Tanzanian director Neema Ngelimes feature documentary explores womanhood in patriarchal society.

Neema Ngelime's feature documentary debut explores a woman's relationship with herand society in Tanzania.

The Making of The Ones With the Tempered Flowers

Tanzania-born director Neema Ngelime is working on her first feature documentary, which was showcased at Locarno Open Doors, the Locarno Film Festival’s co-production platform and talent development program for filmmakers from equity-seeking communities.

The film, produced by Ivy Kiru, has won several awards, including the Sørfond Award and the ARTEKino International Award.

Themes and Inspiration

The documentary explores how families shape dreams, identity, and autonomy, as well as the absurdity of womanhood being confined in a patriarchal world.

Ngelime's inspiration for making the film came from her own existential crisis after receiving a diagnosis with fibroids, which she believes is a metaphor for the weight placed on women's bodies by society.

Universal Themes

The universal themes of the documentary include womanhood and its place in 21st-century society, identity, and curiosity as an act of care across generations.

Ngelime hopes that her film will create a space for people to talk about their own experiences and invite viewers to reflect on their relationships with identity, self-expression, and societal constructs.

Next Steps

Ngelime plans to continue her treatment while the project participates in several upcoming events, including the Durban FilmMart and the Sørfond pitching event.