Fatsani: hidden gem about heartbreak and survival in Malawi

Fatsani: A Tale of Survival brings to life a heartbreaking yet inspiring story with an earnest depiction of the struggle against poverty, police brutality, corruption, and gender-based violence in Malawi.

Who is on Fatsani: A Tale of Survival?

The movie features child star Hannah Sukali alongside Leliya Samson, Joyce Chavula, Charity Kavuta, Edwin K Conde, and Kelvin Maxwell Ngoma.

A chilling voice narration that makes the movie more daring

The movie begins with a sporadic voiceover narrated by Fatsani. Her voice is chilling and sets the tone for the movie as she says, “I did not choose to be born here, and I did not choose my story. This story is like any other. And I tell it to whoever wants to listen. I was eleven when I stayed with my grandmother and my routine was pretty much the same; doing house chores and getting ready for school,” she says.

We soon learn that Fatsani Lema is an orphan raised by her sick grandmother (portrayed by Leliya Samson). She’s a smart kid whose academic performance is applauded by her favourite teacher, Mrs Phiri (played by Joyce Chavula). Another reason she loves school is because of her best friend, Chikondi.

But her school career is suddenly cut short, and it’s all thanks to her evil school principal. The principal not only bans Fatsani from associating with other classmates but is also in cahoots with government officials as they wreak havoc at the school by stealing and participating in many other acts of corruption.

A story about survival amid corruption

We see Fatsani struggling as she suffers various forms of abuse from the ones who are supposed to protect her. Fatsani’s life as an orphan begins when she loses her parents in a fatal car accident. 

Now living with her sickly grandmother, she must start selling bananas in the market to make ends meet. She’s forced into becoming a breadwinner at such a young age, and the responsibility weighs heavy on the 14-year-old. Fatsani’s situation gets worse when her favourite teacher, Mrs Phiri, is transferred to a new school. Fatsani loses a mentor but soon gains another by the name of Nambewe (played by Uthandiwe T Chidambo).

A resolution that unites generations

Amid the chaos, the community finally rallies against their oppressors, and Fatsani grabs a bullhorn to deliver a long inspiring speech decrying various societal injustices her community does not need to be subjected to. Her speech evokes emotions in many and makes waves across the nation and abroad. This scene proves to be a triumphant moment for our protagonist after a life of suffering.

It’s undeniably a well-directed film, inspiring in its nature as it derives from a real-life story. Hannah Sukali gives an impressive performance, especially in the last acts of the film, and the title serves an effective message regarding the assurance that even after all the struggles the protagonist goes through, survival is certain.

Fatsani: A Tale of Survival is now streaming on Showmax.