The Braid of Time is a moving short film that captures the journey of unraveling the tangled threads of human experience and finding stability, identity, and purpose in our ancestry. It is a powerful reminder of how we can return to our source of empowerment.
This short film is presented from the perspective of a young protagonist named Estrela. The beautiful interplay of cultures in her features, language, and environment shapes her identity. However, this very complexity leaves her feeling alienated in society. Estrela struggles to establish an independent identity, free from externally imposed definitions. Her grandmother’s death, a significant life event, ignites the intense drive for discovery.
In this state of fragmentation, she tries to hold herself together. She breaks apart, dematerializing into The Braid of Time, a link through which she finds her grounding in a world seeking to erase her. As Ado Ato Pictures frames it, the metaphorical “Braid of Time” represents “a secret realm filled with the hopes, dreams, fears, and collective stories of those who have fought for their rights throughout history.”.
Despite its brevity, The Braid of Time carries an important message. When family members, the anchors with ancestral knowledge, die, individuals left behind with only memories become the legacy carriers. It becomes the duty of each individual to find the key to their future by understanding their past roots. In this film, Estrela must dig into her roots to gain stability in her present and forge forward into the future.
At first glance, this brief animation may appear simplistic. However, the nine minutes have an incalculable depth. To fully appreciate its true meaning, one must completely immerse themselves in the presentation. The film may even warrant repeated viewings.
There is a beautiful poetic quality to the dialogue. Estrela’s internal struggles are mirrored in the flow of the animation. As the character muses about societal erasure, both illustration and character struggle for clarity. There is an abundance of metaphors. For example, the protagonist sheds her daily garments as she passes through the passage (an apt symbolism of stripping away societal norms). After she connects by reaching out to the fibers, we are transported to the past, envisioning her ancestors’ struggle.
Finally, after the journey, her post-materialization self presents as a stronger and more authentic version. She no longer phases in and out, as if disappearing into the ether. Her final declaration nicely envelops the entire piece: “Sometimes you have to tune out the noise of the world in order to hear your own inner music.”
The project’s compelling premise and purpose make it a must-see. It is noted that this project “Draws inspiration from Washington, D.C.’s diverse and storied past.” The remarkably inventive entrepreneur, Tamara Shogaolu is the creative artist behind this magical short. As Shogaolu points out, there have been many attempts to sever our connections to the past; those who engage in such acts are called “the Silencers.” However, if we take the initiative to reconnect with our history, we can become like Estrela, finding our power and potential through that reconnection. This message resonates through this narrative.
The Braid of Time is a stand-alone piece of art that needs no real explanation after viewing. It must also be pointed out that the film is also a testament to a reflection of excellence. It shows her carving space as “the first Black Latina woman to lead a prominent studio dedicated to film, animation, and technology. A force in the world, she focuses on telling stories that give a voice to historically marginalized communities.”
The Braid of Time is now available on Netflix. Take a moment to appreciate Shogaolu ‘s impact and how she inspires others to make positive changes in their lives and surroundings.