Movie Analysis - Sankofa

Nunu, a strong, rebellious, motherly slave, symbolizes strength. In the beginning of the movie, the audience was told that Nunu murdered her old master through staring and words. She also proceeded to give a c section to a dead mother so that the baby could survive. Through Nunu, Shola found a sense of hope in herself to get out of the plantation. Nunu represented strength to Shola, allowing Shola to be optimistic in her life and see things differently. Through Nunu a transformation in Shola occurred and her strength and conviction increased. Nunu also represented history throughout the movie. Since she was born in Africa, unlike the others, she knows of the African culture and she helps provide strength and resistance to other Africans, allowing them to become a part of the movement.
             Joe, Nunu's son, also plays a key role in the transformation of Shola. Joe is the head slave, who some have said turned on his own people to appeal the white man. He represents the religious aspect in Shola's life. Joe grew up with Shola, they were baptized together. In a sense, Joe is like Shola. He has a mutilated sense of identity between his God and the white man. Mona has a tortured sense of identity with her denying of her culture. Joe plays a role in the transformation of Mona by displaying Mona's internal struggle with religion. In the movie, Mona states that her faith is starting to waiver because God wouldn't allow her to get raped, and Joe continuously fights between God and the plantation. Shango also play a key role in in the transformation of Shola. Shango was Shola's lover who was a trouble maker and from the West Indies. He pushed Shola to poison the master for raping her; but Shola could not do it at the time. Shango is the only connection that Shola has to the realization of the evils of slavery. He is the contrast of the story, free and restless. However, once Shola obtained the Sankofa bird from Shango, it gives her a sense of defiance of rebellion.