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Documentary Uncovers Mozambique Civil War’s Lingering Trauma

4/28/2026

49 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Inadelso Cossa directs a documentary that probes the psychological wreckage of Mozambique’s 1977-1992 civil war.
He returns to his childhood village to film his dementia-stricken grandmother and the elderly couple Macuacua and Zalina, who reenact a patrol with a tree-branch rifle.
Reviewers note the film’s mix of archival footage, nocturnal scenes, monologues and reenactments makes it hard to follow but conveys intertwined pain and healing.

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Story summary

Inadelso Cossa directs a documentary that probes the psychological wreckage of Mozambique’s 1977-1992 civil war.
He returns to his childhood village to film his dementia-stricken grandmother and the elderly couple Macuacua and Zalina, who reenact a patrol with a tree-branch rifle.
Reviewers note the film’s mix of archival footage, nocturnal scenes, monologues and reenactments makes it hard to follow but conveys intertwined pain and healing.