Documentary Film Review: Lituka, 2021
Category: Best Documentary
(Annual Winner 2019)
Producer: Rodney Kimbangu
Cast: Meschack Baloma
Lituka is a real-life heart-touching story of determination, hope and believing in dreams. This short documentary revolves around a young 14-year-old boy Meschack who lives in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Meschack is from a financially challenging family who could not afford to provide him basic necessities of life. He makes charcoal stoves to fulfill his basic needs against his family’s will. He started making charcoal stoves at the tender age of 8 years old when many children could not even think of a term like “basic human needs”. He learned the craft of making charcoal stoves from his community barber Papa Cele. He teaches Meschack how to make charcoal stoves called “Lituka” (Lee – Too – Kah) in Lingala. Meschack used to observe him and developed an interest in making stoves. Meschack is not ashamed of making stoves because it fulfills his survival requirements. He aspires to basic things like going to school and playing with other kids. He has plans of becoming a mechanic in the future.
This short film throws light on many subjects in a subtle manner. Right to education for children, providing equal opportunities based upon skills, promoting skill development/entrepreneurship and appreciating life. Lituka showcase the harsh side and inequality of the world we live in. On one side, some kids have everything in life they aspire for, on the other hand, some kids are fighting for day-to-day necessities. These kids learn from life and their motivation is derived from their basic needs. They are the ones who learn out of necessity, because of financial circumstances, who had no choice but to become financially self-sufficient at an early age. In some cases, they start out working at an early age making a salary, working for someone else. But as they grow older and develop their careers, they became true entrepreneurs.
Meschack is one such kid who didn’t let his circumstances decide his life or snatch his happiness. He is a fighter with a strong will and goal to make his life better. Meschack wants to live life with dignity. His thinking and self-drive to do better in life despite all the constraints make him a real-life hero. He inspires the viewer to do something positive and constructive with life.
There is a global focus on human rights and children’s welfare in one place, but still, there are millions of kids living in poor families and fighting for basic needs. They don’t get the environment a normal kid needs. Going to school and living a normal life as a kid is a dream for underprivileged children. There are two types of people who either surrender themselves to the circumstances and let destiny decide its course of action and others who write their own destiny despite all odds. Meschack shows these traits. His maturity at a young age, focus, hard work, determination and strong will to lead a respectful life makes him different from other kids.
Director has made a strong documentary with the right intent. This documentary informs and educates about things like unequal opportunities, child entrepreneurship, self-motivation. It opens viewer’s minds and makes them appreciate life and what they have. It also encourages discussions about children’s rights and doing something constructive for them. Every child has a right to live a normal life and enjoy their childhood.
The only thing one can observe watching this short film is its abrupt ending and length. This may be due to the project’s limited budget or other constraints. This documentary deserves to be made as a full-length long documentary with more details.
All in all, Lituka is a thought-provoking and inspiring short documentary that makes you feel emphatic with the character and leaves a positive impact on the viewer. Such documentaries are a positive contribution to society which is one of the most important reasons for making a documentary. Society should come forward and support the education and necessities of such kids so that they can also shine equally.
“Let us reach out to the children. Let us do whatever we can to support their fight to rise above their pain and suffering.” Nelson Mandela
Watch this inspiring documentary short film here:
