This film looks like it has a lot to unwrap, and I think I missed a lot. What I did pick up on and really liked on my first watch is the personification of elements. The sense that the elements are divine, as well as Omambala. What I couldn’t quite understand was whether each of the elements and the mermaid were separate entities, or if they were all Omambala. I also noticed that the ship itself is personified, looking tired and ill. I like that all the sea creatures and the water seemed to be comforting those who were thrown overboard.

I wonder if it was on purpose when Tesfaye used water-based paint for her story.

This could be a misinterpretation on my part, but one thing that I noticed is that the ship moved from left to right (East to West), opposite from the direction that these ships historically traveled across the Atlantic. I wonder if this was done with intention.

The ending scene had me fascinated, as the bird sounds and the shells reminded me of the East Coast, where my parents are from. I wonder if the character is listening for the souls of those thrown off the ships, or could it be that she is listening for Omambala? As she puts the shells over her ears, the woman (possibly Tesfaye) hears the sounds of singing, but it isn’t obvious to me who it is. It seems like she may be using this film as a way to represent her ancestors, and show that it is important to communicate and understand your history, no matter how dark.