Felix in Exile by William Kentrige - Essay Example

The inherent film exposes that individuals are choosing to forget or hide realities of the past as part of their creation of a new South Africa identity. Felix awakens from his naïve reverie to a complete grasp of his harsh reality. Nandi serves as a metaphor for the painful but necessary process of remembrance (Vimeo 2:43).

Butler differentiates gender from sex, which nowadays many do not agree with. Nandi takes her position to survey the bloody land after the brutal massacre and destruction. She makes Felix who is a man in a foreign country aware of what is happening in his homeland. She thinks here as a man though a woman. Butler states that individuals build their culture upon people they meet, education, and living conditions experienced. Nandi works alone in the harsh environment and takes the part of men culturally not to let the memories fade away.

On contrary, Stuart describes the cultural study as the relationship between different cultures and politics theoretically. Kentridge studies the South African past political events. He starts from the brutal killings and mass destruction to when there is the first election. This displays transformation though the memories were still there for remembrance. Nandi a woman used as the surveyor to help cover all visible evidence of the past portrays feminism.

            In conclusion, the film displays the history of South Africa in brief and enhances culture preservation by bringing evidence of the past.