John Akomfrah "Mimesis: African Soldier" by GoMA

2024-11-22 20:16:14 UTC

We were briefly in Glasgow, on our way home to Canada and stopped by the museum. Mimesis was the highlight of the GOMA for us. I started crying moments after I entered the space… this work is so important for these times. Trauma is portrayed so powerfully and subtly… the reenactments of the close ups of the men’s faces, moving slowly, the water running over objects - so moving, so perfectly portrayed. Thank you.

Poignant, powerful and so very moving.

2025-01-05 20:53:22 UTC

“African solider”

2025-01-08 17:11:09 UTC

During December I attended Akomfrah’s “African Soldier” Exhibition in Glasgow Modern Art Gallery alongside my mum. We unintentionally fell upon his work when we were pulled to the room by the curious sounds and score of the film.

Walking into the room we found a silent crowd of people absorbing his work, immersed in the 3 screen movie. We stayed and sat there for an hour.

And felt like we couldn’t leave.

The piece moves in and out of silence and dialogue using ambient and layer diegetic sound alongside varies shots of scenes, sets and archive footage depicting African and Indian soldiers. His work was entirely consuming, i truly admire this work and don’t think ill be able to forget it.

The best words i can find to describe the effect that this work had on us is viscerally sensitive and guilty, the work made us quiet and tearful, and reminded for the forgotten hero’s and innocence that western history has left mist over and refuses to recognise. Thankyou for sharing your work

Unexpected emotions

2025-01-31 14:38:33 UTC

Well, was just walking in Glasgow, entered by chance in the Museum and discovered the movie without knowing anything on it. Coming from Algería I know the story of village young people sent to death far away from their home as freedom fighters and in the mean time having no rights in their homeland. After fews mn of watching I get a real emotional sensation. Great work great job dear John. You stole me some unexpected tears. I congrat you. Thanks for this masterclass

Post Scriptum I followed your advice tohave a walk outside to manage emotions. Thanks for the tip as well

Fantastic exhibition

2025-02-15 23:01:07 UTC

A great place to experience a stunning visual piece. This exhibition is a must see, even just dedicating 10 minutes to it will leave you feeling connected to the film.

Moving to reflection

2025-04-20 20:53:26 UTC

I was glad to have seen the film at Glasgow's GOMA - it was reflective and required patience, but I came away from it with gratitude to those who came before me, and deep thoughts which I will be reflecting on for months to come. It is a great space for such an amazing piece of work. Thank you for making this film. Thank you for bringing these soldiers to life.

What a powerful film

2025-04-30 12:56:40 UTC

I came without knowing anything about what was on - just to spend an hour or so in the GOMA and I was blown away by the experience. So strong and connected to our lives and also such a nuanced way of looking at history. Everyone in the showing was engrossed. I loved seeing three screens each with a very slightly different version of the same movement. And the performances didn’t feel like performance at all. It will be with me for a long time. I liked having the books out too - I noted some down that I’ve never seen and requested them at the library downstairs. More power to this film and well done to the GOMA for bringing it

Mimesis: An African Soldier

2025-06-07 15:04:03 UTC

What a work of great art this film is! The comments on this site affected me deeply too. E.g some one wrote: the Africans deprived of power in their own country but sent to fight and die by the same colonial powers that looted their land. This film should receive much more publicity and shown on BBC as well as in class rooms.

Unforgettable

2025-07-04 11:43:58 UTC

It’s a shame we don’t learn from previous mistakes. Absolutely brilliant film! So moving.

A powerful experience

2025-08-25 14:26:32 UTC

Coming into Glasgow on a whim while going up to see a mate I decided to come to the Glasgow life museum.

When I walked in Mimesis: African Soldier caught my eye instantly. Only coming in halfway through the film, I connected very deeply within moments. Very striking imagery of the beautiful landscapes and the outfits of the soldiers were amazing to watch. The use of flares was a beautiful but also Unsettling experience, but I will never forget. Seeing the old footage of World War I soldiers from The United Kingdom, France and America was insightful yet harrowing to watch. I’m very glad this film was made as African soldiers From the First World War were completely overlooked as they were taken from European collaborations and it sheds a light on their stories, trials and tribulations.

Thank you

I found this film moving, sad, inspiring, insightful. Loved it. Just stumbled upon it and loved it though it moved me to tears.

2025-08-26 08:56:31 UTC

Incredibly moving

2025-11-07 14:05:18 UTC

Makes me want to join a pacifist group and feel ashamed of colonialism. Had never realised that people from the colonies were conscripted, so it’s really good to have realised I am ignorant. Beautifully orchestrated film with a touching soundtrack. Reduced me to tears. What a strange entity humans are to think war is a solution to peace and that men are commodities in such a situation. That’s a sad scenario.

2026-02-21 14:02:44 UTC

We just didn't know. Everyone should know.

Strikingly beautiful and heartbreaking

2026-03-16 18:23:26 UTC

I didn’t plan on seeing this today but I am so, so glad that I did. I think this film tells an incredibly important story, one that has been deliberately minimised throughout the years. It makes you question all you thought about the war, and who we’ve been told suffered throughout it. I was brought to tears at several points. This film made me so angry for all of these people who were dragged into a war they should have had no part in. I will be recommending this to as many people as I can.

2026-04-05 11:45:50 UTC

Absolutely phenomenal and very moving. I've never seen another exhibition of this kind. African soldiers serving in world war I was only briefly mentioned as a minor footnote in history class when it should and could be more.