'Supa Modo' film review: Inspiring, heartbreaking take on dying & living
The death of a child is one of the toughest subjects any film can broach, but Kenyan family drama 'Supa Modo' (streaming online May 13-17 as part of the Children’s Film Festival Seattle 2020) handles the topic with uncommon grace, genuine sweetness and emotional sincerity.
In short: Jo (Stycie Waweru) is a young girl diagnosed with a terminal illness who dreams of becoming a superhero - and her entire Kenyan village rallies together to make her dream come true.
The one-sentence summary of 'Supa Modo' doesn't do this humane and nuanced film the credit it deserves. There's absolutely a way to take the basic idea - that of a community banding together to help a dying girl realize her dreams - and execute it with pure manipulative schlock. But 'Supa' isn't just some plot gimmick: it's an honest story that tells a tough story with open eyes, and miraculously evokes bittersweet happy tears along the way.
Jo isn't simply a dying little her - she's just a little girl who adores heroes - superheroes and action movie heroes. She's defined more by what she loves than what she's afflicted with. While Jo plays with her hand-crafted doll, her single mother Kathryn is left to bear the unthinkable burden of loving a daughter facing imminent and inevitable death. Caught in the middle is Jo's older sister Mwix, who lovingly indulges Jo's fantastical imagination while also all-too-aware of her sister's terminal condition.
At its core, 'Supa' is about choice - whether one chooses to dwell on the darkness of dying or to embrace living life at its fullest. And the film empathizes with both reactions, because every parent can fundamentally understand the dread of child illness and the unbridled delight of watching a child at play. The film understands Kathryn’s constant worrying for Jo as much as it connects with Mwix’s efforts to let her sister enjoy what little time she has left.
Like the villagers, 'Supa' ultimately chooses to live in the light of Jo's joy than dwell in the darkness of Jo's reality. But the film doesn't ignore the Jo's condition or exploit it for cheap, manipulative tears. 'Supa' celebrates the escapism of fantasy, while remaining firmly rooted in the humanity of a family confronted with Jo's inescapable illness. ‘Supa’ is a love letter who anyone who cherishes cinema and a tender story that resonates with anyone who has dealt with loss - the fact that it absolutely sticks the landing with a pitch perfect ending make this a can’t-miss work.
Final verdict: The magic of 'Supa' it is inspiring,heartbreaking and beautiful without relying on a single moment of melodrama. With its soulful characters and delicate storytelling, 'Supa' earns every smile and tear it elicits.
Score: 4.5/5
'Supa Modo' is streaming online as part of the Children’s Film Festival Seattle 2020. This Kenyan drama is unrated and has a running time of 74 minutes.
