Multimedia Collection

The Blue Eyes of Yonta (Udju Azul di Yonta)

VHS
90 minutes
1992
PN1997 .U371 1994

Flora Gomes (born 1949) offers us a bittersweet portrait of the disillusionment of the revolutionary generation in Guinea-Bissau and the vibrant, if unintended, society which developed after independence in 1973.

Udju Azul di Yonta tells the story of three people, each of whom is so much in love with their dreams that they miss the real opportunities which life offers. Vincente, a hero of the revolution, now a businessman, is so despondent over the failure of his political ideals that he fails to notice the flirtations of Yonta, the beautiful, young daughter of two former comrades. Yonta represents the younger generation who have grown up since independence and replaced revolutionary rhetoric with an unabashed enthusiasm for Western consumer culture. She, in turn, is oblivious to the attentions of Ze, a poor student from the country, who sends her absurdly romantic poems (actually written for a Swedish girl) praising her improbably "blue eyes."

The film ends with a moment out of Fellini, full of satire, affection and wonder. While the older generation dreams beside an azure swimming pool, hungover from a lavish wedding reception, the children carry forward the hopes of the future as they dance confidently into the new morning.

Criolo with English subtitles.

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