Sweetness in the Belly

First DO read the review from Hawwiko. The review is enlightening.

I would love to know if there have been any Caucasian person that was orphaned in the Arabic world that grew up as a Muslim. I could not find any record of it but the question itself and the movie offers a great question about that.

I too loved Dakota Fanning's performance and I thought more importantly that even though she played it as a Muslim who grew up in the Muslim world and as a Caucasian she still enjoyed special privileges' not offered to others of color. It showed the inherent racism in the world.

Having it happen in Ethiopia also showed the class struggle that is taking place as the rich look to prosper off the backs of others.

Why the doctor was attracted to her in the first place I question but I will leave it at that. See the movie if you get the chance.

So far every movie project she has been on is worth seeing.

I will admit, as an Ethiopian, I braced myself for offense when I sat down to watch this film. It is a bit unusual to see a white woman portray the Ethiopian refugee experience, but in all honesty, Dakota gives a sincere and worthy portrayal with a character that gives careful attention to her privileges. The circumstances surrounding the story and the other Ethiopian women are rich and authentic. You can see by her response to casting criticism, she does understand the heart of the story she is telling. It brought back memories for my parents as they watched so it was a worthy effort. Particularly her attempts at the Amharic language. 👌🏽 If your on the fence, I do reccomend giving it a look. I'm glad I did.

To be honest, I expected more from this film. I felt this film fulfilled the value of the hollywood verse rather than fulfilling the story that this film wanted to lift. I really like how this film tries to raise family conflicts set in Africa, with Islam as its theme. But in some parts, I feel the interpretation of Islam here is messy when there is a Hollywood romance verse here. I mean, how can a woman for years adhere to strong holy teachings, but like collapsing when she meets a man (played by Yahya Abdul Maten). apart from that, i really like acting dakota fanning. The Arabic that Fanning does is practically perfect, and also, how she prays, and behaves as Islam.

Despite everything, the backstory that is lifted from the main character here is very interesting. it is very rare that we can find hollywood films that carry stories based on Islam. not a lot of cinematography and special scoring, but the story is quite interesting despite all the flaws and verses.

I watched this movie straight after having finished the book - which was my mistake. I guess I didn't see the movie for what it was on it's own. I thought Dakota was amazing and the actress who played Amina stole my heart. Yahya Abdul Mateen was a good choice for Aziz I believe. The problem was with fast pacing, and the fact that some scenes just don't make sense unless you read the book and understand it more. Characters were not as fleshed out as was needed to truly sympathise with them and understand why they say the things they do. Of course in just under 2 hours we can't expect the film to show everything that happens in the book, but some pivotal points like how Lily and Aziz eventually got together was skimmed over in the film for me. Overall it managed to find it's way through the plot but failed to fully capture the soul within sweetness in the belly,

I recently watched Sweetness in the Belly (2019) on Tubi. The plot unfolds against the backdrop of civil war in Africa during the 1970s, leading to a wave of refugees fleeing from areas surrounding Ethiopia to Europe. Among them is a refugee who, upon securing a job at a hospital, forms a deep bond with an African doctor.

Directed by Zeresenay Mehari (Difret) and featuring a talented cast including Dakota Fanning (Man on Fire), Wunmi Mosaku (Lovecraft Country), Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Aquaman), and Sophie Kennedy Clark (Sorority).

While Sweetness in the Belly possesses the necessary elements for a compelling character-driven narrative, it ultimately falls short. The performances are commendable, with Fanning, Mosaku, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II displaying excellent chemistry. The settings and overall premise offer depth and intensity, complemented by well-developed character backstories and subplots. Smart twists and turns keep the story engaging. However, the film suffers from significant lulls where it feels stagnant, failing to fully convey the desperation of the characters' circumstances. Additionally, a more impactful conclusion could have elevated the overall journey.

In conclusion, Sweetness in the Belly presents enough worthwhile elements to warrant a viewing, but it lacks the standout qualities to make it memorable. I would rate it 6/10 and suggest seeing it once for its commendable performances and intriguing premise.