This review contains numerous spoilers. I saw this movie at a film festival combined with other shorts, so I had no idea what to expect. I found the plot immediately engaging as the main characters were introduced, eventually meeting and developing a relationship. Ara is a gracefully confident, intelligent and loving person who is part of a supportive community of Muslim immigrants from Cameroon. Ben is also smart, but lackadaisical and unfocused about his dissertation. He admits at one point that he fears entering the real world and has made no concrete plans on how he would live post-college. He is the classic perpetual student with a Peter Pan complex.
While Ara represents stability while resisting pressure from her caring mother to marry within the community, Ben is disorganized and disheveled, content to meander through this stage of his life. His ambivalent participation in an open relationship, which likely stems from the loss of his father (although he was abusive) and being raised by his bohemian mother who became a lesbian, reveals him as person lacking a true sense of self. His classmate/girlfriend Gabrielle seems only interested in casual sex, and does not support or push him to complete his dissertation. At one point, she becomes annoyed at his newfound dedication to completing his work. Ara on the other hand supports Ben from the outset, gently nudging him to work out his issues, eventually using her "super powers" to provide him with the hook that makes his work on the subject of Calvinism ready for defense.
Beyond their complicated relationship, their exchanges concerning religion (Islam/Christianity) versus agnosticism are the most fascinating part of this film. Ara expresses no animosity regarding the Christian colonization of Cameroon, choosing to celebrate the retention of her people's Earth-based spiritual practices. Ben simply wonders what the point is in believing in a god whose existence cannot be proved. The last conversation they had over belief in something versus nothing before she returned to her community was one I was hoping to hear in Prometheus before Ridley Scott got cold feet and intentionally removed the discussion from the script, thereby avoiding what should have been a major aspect of that film.
Ben and Ara made a genuine though unsuccessful attempt to reconcile their beliefs. Ara's pregnancy caused her to finally realize that her experimentation with Ben was a mistake. She never told him about her pregnancy, resigning to have an abortion in secret before bowing to cultural tradition and marrying. Ben on the other hand, ended up swept along with circumstances created by his irresponsible lifestyle, resigned to moving and taking a job he does not want to be close to the baby he's about to have with Gabrielle, who has suddenly become responsible after sleeping with Ben and Manny, despite the latter's declaration of his love for her. Manny was also smart enough to wear a condom.
I had the pleasure of meeting Constance Ejuma after the film. I found her even more beautiful and graceful in person. I wish her well in her pursuit of a successful career in film. If Ben and Ara is any indication, she will be heard from.
While Ara represents stability while resisting pressure from her caring mother to marry within the community, Ben is disorganized and disheveled, content to meander through this stage of his life. His ambivalent participation in an open relationship, which likely stems from the loss of his father (although he was abusive) and being raised by his bohemian mother who became a lesbian, reveals him as person lacking a true sense of self. His classmate/girlfriend Gabrielle seems only interested in casual sex, and does not support or push him to complete his dissertation. At one point, she becomes annoyed at his newfound dedication to completing his work. Ara on the other hand supports Ben from the outset, gently nudging him to work out his issues, eventually using her "super powers" to provide him with the hook that makes his work on the subject of Calvinism ready for defense.
Beyond their complicated relationship, their exchanges concerning religion (Islam/Christianity) versus agnosticism are the most fascinating part of this film. Ara expresses no animosity regarding the Christian colonization of Cameroon, choosing to celebrate the retention of her people's Earth-based spiritual practices. Ben simply wonders what the point is in believing in a god whose existence cannot be proved. The last conversation they had over belief in something versus nothing before she returned to her community was one I was hoping to hear in Prometheus before Ridley Scott got cold feet and intentionally removed the discussion from the script, thereby avoiding what should have been a major aspect of that film.
Ben and Ara made a genuine though unsuccessful attempt to reconcile their beliefs. Ara's pregnancy caused her to finally realize that her experimentation with Ben was a mistake. She never told him about her pregnancy, resigning to have an abortion in secret before bowing to cultural tradition and marrying. Ben on the other hand, ended up swept along with circumstances created by his irresponsible lifestyle, resigned to moving and taking a job he does not want to be close to the baby he's about to have with Gabrielle, who has suddenly become responsible after sleeping with Ben and Manny, despite the latter's declaration of his love for her. Manny was also smart enough to wear a condom.
I had the pleasure of meeting Constance Ejuma after the film. I found her even more beautiful and graceful in person. I wish her well in her pursuit of a successful career in film. If Ben and Ara is any indication, she will be heard from.