Swimming against the Stream ‘Difret’: Modern morality combats tradition

What “Difret” lacks in substance, it makes up for in message.

Courtesy of Difret.com

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What “Difret” lacks in substance, it makes up for in message.

Courtesy of Difret.com

On a technical level alone, “Difret” is not a great film. The characters are not particularly deep. The dialogue is pretty forgettable. When it comes to cinematography, there’s nothing here that we haven’t seen before. “Difret,” however, is more than the sum of its parts.

Filmed in Ethiopia and presented in the Amharic language, “Difret” is based on a true story. In 1996, 14-year-old Hirut Assefa – whose character represents the real-life Aberash Bekele – is kidnapped by men on horseback and sexually assaulted. In Hirut’s village, abduction is considered a valid form of marriage. Hirut, though, steals her abductor’s gun and kills him.

When she is captured by police, the village demands that Hirut be executed for the murder of her would-be husband. Fortunately, Meaza Ashenafi, a lawyer from a women’s legal aid practice in the city, arrives and proceeds to put Ethiopia’s entire justice system on trial.

What it lacks in substance, “Difret” more than makes up for in message. In its examination of a single, albeit revolutionary, court case, the film captures a community torn between ancient, outdated values and modern human rights. After watching the film, one can’t help but think of the parts of the world where practices like marriage by abduction still exist.

Executive produced by Angelina Jolie, “Difret” is refreshingly simple, inspiring and compelling – thanks in a large part to the performances of Tizita Hagere and Meron Getnet, who play Hirut and Meaza respectively. The film successfully informs viewers of events that have largely been, but should never be, forgotten.

ngonzales@durangoherald.com. Nick Gonzales is one of The Durango Herald newsroom’s resident film buffs. He welcomes movie recommendations. Follow him on Twitter @lackingzones.