Synopsis
Another Day of Life is an animated documentary film based on the book of the same name by the renowned Polish journalist Ryszard Kapuściński. The film, like the book, was published in 2018. In the animated documentary, the directors, Raúl de la Fuente and Damian Nenow, incorporate real-life interviews as well as other archival materials in order to create the film and thus serve the storytelling as they see fit. In undertstanding the film, one is able to see how more than history is told. The documentary captures the emmotions, complexities, and the stories of the people who lived through that history.
In the film, the year is 1975 and Ryszard Kapuściński is set in Angola in the middle of an important historical turning point not only for himself, but for the country itself. Brought under centuries of foreign rule, Angola finally gained independence as a result of decolonization and was able to fulfill her dreams of a free country. Previously colonized by the Portuguese, Angola is a post-colonial nation-state. Soon after independence Angola was faced with an internal conflict as different factions emerged to fight for the control of the nation. These conflicts and their competitors not only brought confusion and uncertainty to the people of Angola but created a shadow of perplexity for the rest of the world.
To understand what is going on in the country, as Kapuściński the journalist on ‘The Emperor’ has to travel to all parts of the country, and as any journalist, the goal is to get and report the whole story. During the course of his work, however, he has to undertake much more than his work. He has to interact with and try to understand the intricacies of the changes happening in people’s lives. People who are filled with immensely more than what life has to offer to them. People who are driven to chase their passions. People who are ready to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals. It is at this point of self-actualization that he realizes what is the extent of his responsibilities. Is it only as a journalist, or as a person too?
The documentary captivatingly tells this part of ‘The Emperor’. It is not only the facts that he is concerned with, as he understands the importance of responsibility. He starts to take individual stories personally and changes the foundation of the story from a list of observations to a piece which delves into the interrelatedness of identity and change, and the price that is paid for freedom.
The film most strikingly demonstrates the point that one should be ready to hope even in dire times. This point is illustrated through characters like Carlota who embodies strength and is resolute in her desire to change the future of her country, and Farrusco, a Portuguese ex-serviceman who selflessly decides to stay for his adopted homeland. People who have an unwavering belief in something bigger than themselves.
Kapuściński has always been known to write and send reports. Towards the latter part of his journey, the inner part began to hold importance as well. This title, Another Day of Life, serves as a delicate reminder that each and every day, no matter how challenging, has the potential for courage, choice, and growth.
Cast & Crew
Another Day of Life has its strength, as much as the story, from the people who cast and voiced the film, as well as from the crew who worked on it.
Voice Cast:
Miroslaw Haniszewski as Ryszard Kapuściński (Polish version): Haniszewski has ‘captured’ the joy of performing and delivers a very moving and thorougly contemplative performance. He helps to anchor the perspective and voice of the Kapuściński, the very ‘face’ of this legendary journalist.
Other ‘main’ characters, such as Tomasz Zietek, Olga Bołądź, Rafal Zawierucha, and many more, gently add to the voice of the film, thus forming a very relatable and real cast.
In its international version, the film is added by a multitude of voice actors from many parts of the world, thus showcasing the global aspect of the film’s narrative and its thematics.
The screenplay has to this day remained untouched, though the writers Amaia Remírez, Niall Johnson, David Weber, Raúl de la Fuente, and Damian Nenow had no issues adapting the book to fit a more visual artistic expression.
Animation studio Platige Image and Kanaki Films also had not issues mixing different kinds of 3D animation akin to rotoscope, creating a practicable and stylistic representation of the film.
The film also saw the contribution of composer Mikel Salas who’s able to capture the essence of the film through gentle emotional and atmospheric tracks. Salas’ composition adds to the tone of the film, supporting the rich depth of the animated and documentary sequences.
Visual and stylistic elements
Unlike any other, Another Day of Life has a unique combination of animated as well as real life phots and videos, photojournalism, and documentary cinema that intertwines the present with history. The interviews, stills, and other archival sequences create a blend to weave a single story.
The animation also has a vivid and emotional expression that goes well with the gentle and immersive story. The animation style which doesn’t attempt to copy reality, goes beyond to capture the emotions of the narration and the audience.In the animated withdrawals, they narrate inner thoughts as well as slumbers and reminiscences. In this regard, it allows the audience to go beyond the boundaries of the documentary and opens an absense of emotion and contemplation, while offering a new horizon of appreciation toward the story.
Another Day of Life, a documentary style work, received an IMDb rating of 7.2/10. Even though the viewers’ and critics’ reflections barried, the work has been praised for its artistic intrigue, emotional saturation and strong undertone message.
It has also been awarded at multiple international festivals, including:
European Film Award for Best Animated Feature (2018)
Goya Award for Best Animated Film (Spain)
Nominate at Annecy International Animation Festival
The fusion of journalism and animation, although the critics appreciated it. suggested the work loses the gravity of the topic. It also makes a subtle contemplation about the history for the upcoming generation to think about the nature of truth and storytelling.
It has received multiple compliments, however, the most prominent one is for its artistic nature. A rare of its kind documentary, it breaks the boundaries of imagination to touch the heart and provoke thoughts, all while beautifully designed.
Conclusion
I nstead of being confined to a historical narrative, Another day of life focuses on human experiences, choices, and the less glorified aspects of life like observation and understanding the world with a sense of honesty and compassion. Ryszard Kapuściński, in the film, attempts to navigate through the process of witnessing transformational change in a particular region of Angola and, in the process, undergoes a personal metamorphosis by realizing the true value of the act of witnessing.
The film’s integration of animation with archival footage and interviews offers a perspective on defining moments in the life of a nation and a budding journalist. It emphasizes the need to feel, properly engage, and act in a transforming world.
The film is a compelling embodiment of storytelling, remembrance, and the undying spirit of humanity. For the lovers of global narratives, profound journalism, and creative cinema, Another day of life is impactful and unforgettable “to make” as it is “to take.”
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