Filmmaker Chloe Abrahams candidly confronts family trauma, masterfully exploring a difficult past in order to bring her mother and grandmother together.
CW: This article contains mentions of sexual assault.
“The Taste of Mango” is a candid glimpse into filmmaker Chloe Abrahams’ relationship with her mother and grandmother. Abrahams, a child of Sri Lankan immigrants, gracefully depicts generational bonds, trauma and unconditional love through the lens of a devoted daughter.
Abrahams’ film made its world premiere at The Blue Note Friday night as part of Columbia’s 2023 True/False Film Fest, an annual celebration of unique documentary films.
The film consists of several “interviews” that come off as intimate conversations because they are held in a bedroom, the kitchen, and the backyard of Abraham’s family home. Archival family footage intertwines with these personal moments to create a touching profile of a once broken family.
The film explores issues and traumas many women face — specifically sexual assault — and how this issue affected Abrahams’ family generationally. A traumatic assault fractures Abrahams’ family for a short time, and the film is a powerful look into the filmmaker’s efforts to unpack and address these memories.
“The Taste of Mango” was a highly emotional watch. Abrahams must uncover her mother’s deep rooted feelings of sadness toward her grandmother in order to repair their relationship. Heavy, pivotal scenes are sandwiched between lighthearted family moments, which allows the audience to connect with the characters before learning important information about them.
The cinematography set the film apart from traditional documentary filmmaking. Abrahams uses a camcorder for most of the scenes, and she shoots these scenes without a tripod. This method gives the film a home movie feel.
“The Taste of Mango” is visually messy at first glance, but the shots were engrossing, and they immersed the audience in Abrahams’ world. It was relatable and real — a feeling that would not be achieved with more polished, high definition cinematography. Viewers could connect with the characters intimately, almost like they were watching a home movie of their own.
As Abrahams tearfully reads a letter from her grandmother toward the end of the film, feelings of devotion radiate from the screen. She successfully demonstrates what it means to love someone unconditionally, despite their flaws. It serves as a reminder of how important it is to build strong connections, regardless of time, age or location.
“The Taste of Mango” fearlessly uncovers family secrets in order to heal not only the filmmaker’s family, but mother-daughter relationships across the world. It was a touching and memorable addition to the Fest’s lineup.
Edited by Savvy Sleevar | ssleevar@themaneater.com
Copy edited by Grace Knight
