Going to Mars: Nikki Giovanni Project Review – A realistic portrayal of chaos & difficulties in Africa

A realistic portrayal of chaos & difficulties in Africa

Going to Mars: Nikki Giovanni Project is a documentary about the life of Nikki Giovanni, the American revolutionary poet. It’s written and directed by Joe Brewster and Michele Stephenson. The film descends into Giovanni’s life and career, showing how she used her pen as a powerful tool for the revolution.

The documentary does an excellent job shedding light on Giovanni’s works, where her writing played a big role in spreading messages during events like the Civil Rights Movement, the Black Arts Movement, and the Black Lives Matter Movement.

Nikki Giovanni, the well-known African-American poet born in 1943, has made her name in a plethora of domains like anthropology, poetic recording, non-fiction essays, and poems. She’s bagged impressive awards like the Langston Hughes Medal and NAACP Image Award for her outstanding work. The documentary takes us through Nikki’s life, showing us the struggles and challenges she faced and giving us a peek into her journey and the person she became.

Back in the late 1960’s, Nikki Giovanni became famous during the Black Arts Movement. Her writings were shaped by the Civil Rights and Black Rights Movements of that era. In the ’70s, she took a cool initiative by starting a magazine for kids. Why? Because she believed in teaching little ones about the dos and don’ts early on so, they grow up to be responsible adults.

Nikki Giovanni also teamed up as a co-founder at NikTom Ltd., supporting Afro-American women writers. She has made a meaningful contribution to the progress of African women. Giovanni firmly believes that people in Africa don’t have to leave their home countries to find success; they can achieve whatever they want right in their own motherlands.

The documentary is filmed in Nikki’s current home in South Africa, where she passionately helps many Africans live life their way, discover their strengths, and follow their dreams. Nikki is actively involved in movements like Afro-futurism, making the documentary a big deal for African filmmaking. It even won the U.S. documentary competition at Sundance, marking “Going to Mars: Nikki Giovanni Project” as a celebration of Black identity.

The documentary echoes Giovanni’s idea that “The urge to explore and succeed is deeply ingrained in Black women’s nature because of their remarkable adaptability.”

The great thing about this documentary is that it gives an honest and raw look into the lives and challenges of African people. It also helps break down several stereotypes about Africa, telling us what the continent is really about. Alongside the visual beauty of Africa, hearing Giovanni’s personal struggles is a cherry on the top.

Giovanni eloquently describes the harsh realities of the world, and through her, we grasp the gravity of the struggles that, as someone privileged enough to sit comfortably at home, we might never fully understand or appreciate. As Giovanni puts it, Africans face things that many of us haven’t even heard about.

The documentary keeps it simple with a straightforward storyline, making it easy for us to connect the dots and maybe relate to the unheard and complex issues. The smooth storytelling not only reveals Giovanni’s personal journey but also the extreme lengths people go to leave their homeland in search of better opportunities and lives for their families.

This concerns Giovanni, and she believes it’s rooted in a lack of information and education. Giovanni thinks that with more education, people will elect more qualified leaders, leading to overall development. As the film progresses, we come to appreciate the urgent need for better leadership, with Giovanni as a promising candidate.

This documentary is a feast for the eyes and takes us on an emotional roller coaster. It’s a mix of heartache as we witness the hardships faced by people in Africa, but also a balm to the soul as we see the winds of change blowing. Imagine, on one hand, we encounter old people resigned to a decrepit way of life, almost accepting it as their destiny.

Yet, in the same breath, we see the younger generation, full of vigor and will to do something for their country. It’s a powerful juxtaposition that tugs at your heartstrings and makes you reflect on the ever-evolving scale of life. The documentary’s writing is its greatest strength.

Even though it is character-driven, there’s never a moment where we feel like we’ve missed something or can’t connect with the people in Africa. The story balances personal stories with good visuals and even many examples of the issues at hand. This is one of its finest traits, allowing us to see the situation through a subjective lens.

In layman’s terms, we peer into a multifaceted kaleidoscope of experiences and not only witness but understand the challenges faced by people in Africa. This documentary is a wake-up call to what’s really going on in Africa. It examines the current situation, proving how strong and honest leadership can literally reshape the destiny of a whole continent.

Giovanni’s story is a mirror, reflecting our own neglectful faces. This film doesn’t just point fingers; it’s like a friendly nudge, challenging us to ditch our selfish shades and see the world from a fresh angle. It’s not just some serious lecture; it’s a one-hour ride that educates and entertains all rolled into one.  

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