Two Mirrors in the Sky is a very short film that beautifully illustrates a poem about love and the quest for identity through the eyes of another person. For such a brief piece, the film manages to explore its subjects greatly, smartly combining its insightful lines with powerful visuals, which creates an interesting experiment. If the viewer should watch the movie without listening to the poem, or listen to the poem without watching these images, the result would probably be the same as the filmmaker has managed to express his ideas clearly.
Visually speaking, the film shines as it shows us its two protagonists standing in the middle of nowhere, interacting and expressing what they see in each other. These images come as enigmatic and quite colorful. Its retro visuals sure help to elevate the experience and make it more unique and engaging. It’s gorgeous to watch (and even more so as we get a glimpse of Tanzania) and, again, it makes us feel what the filmmaker is aiming for… to show what we search for in another person when we make some sort of connection, and how, at the same time, we are the same. The more the viewer thinks about it, the deeper it gets.
And if we were to simply listen to the poem, the result would be the same. The narrator’s deep voice creates a powerful, almost hypnotic tone that transports us to this deeper plane of the subconscious and raises some interesting questions.
So, the moment we combine the visuals and the sound, the result is perfect. An excellent visual representation of the poem, especially for its smart use of open space. As filmmaker Joe-Francis Kiaga mentions, this is supposed to represent our minds and he succeeds. There might not be a better way to create a visual representation of the human mind than an open beach under the sun – at least not such a cozy one, which, again, comes as a smart move. Ultimately, even if we fail to understand the film’s message the first time, its gorgeous visuals and settings will make us want to revisit it a couple more times and, as noted, it gets better with each new watch.
All in all, we can’t deny our admiration for Kiaga and this particular film. Our only complaint might be that it’s too short and that we wouldn’t have minded to watch a longer version of this, but if leaving us wanting more of Two Mirrors in the Sky and Kiaga’s work, then so be it. We will be more than delighted to revisit this film or any other new film Kiaga brings along.
Director’s Biography:
Joe-Francis Kiaga is a professionally trained Tanzanian Photographer, Illustrator and Film Director. He received his formal training and education at The Orms Cape Town School of Photography, South Africa where he mastered professionalism. He has directed a Limited Series for an NGO, ‘Girl Effect’ discussing vaccination and its importance. Joe is primarily dedicated to his creating work with a message, working with local models to further his contribution to his artistic community. His last poetic film, Ngozi Nyeusi [My Black Skin] discussing experiencing colourism during COVID in a segregated South Africa, he successfully gained placements in film festival- premiering in Marsielles, France. The film went on to gain placements in Africa, UK and Asia. Joe’s poem ‘Two Mirrors in the Sky’ was officially published in Rainbug Poetry’s Debut Issue, Lua. He is now focused on running his Film and Photography Company Kiagraphy Media Ltd and developing a documentary.
Watch the film Here
