Small Small Thing

"Small Small Thing" is an impactful and haunting documentary, directed by Jessica Vale, and released in 2013. Based on a true story, the film strikes the viewer with its amalgamation of poignant storytelling, intense character portrayal, and insightful exploration of Liberia's post-war socio-political norms. Featuring nobsuch as Leymah Gbowee, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and Louis Johnson, the film delves into a powerful narrative seeping with profound implications for dialogue around human rights, gender-based violence, and child welfare.

This heart-rending documentary revolves around the struggles and aspirations of a young Liberian girl, Olivia Zinnah, who suffers from an abusive act she experienced when she was just seven years old. Leaving a significant medical condition untreated due to cultural taboos and societal stigma, Olivia's ordeal highlights the brutality and injustice of gender-related violence that is often hidden behind the cloak of societal norms.

The film gains its title from a common Liberian expression 'Small Small Thing', which essentially means 'little by little' or 'one step at a time'. It symbolizes the mode through which change unfolds in society, underscoring the idea that profound transformations commence from minor, seemingly insignificant actions.

Delving into its cinematic proficiency, the film rigorously unveils multiple layers of Olivia's life, her relationships, her healthcare struggle, and how societal norms and cultural practices play a pivotal role in exacerbating her ordeal. The documentary entails a journey to Liberia’s daily life and tropes, a post-war society grappling with deep-seated traditions, bitter political strife, and a myriad of gender-based violence matters.

Leymah Gbowee, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and active women's rights advocate, adds enormous value to the film providing a broader understanding of the circumstances of rape, gender disparities, and the prevailing culture of silence in Liberia. Furthermore, the dynamic and influential figure of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the former president of Liberia, and also the first elected female head of state in Africa, ensures a compelling background narrative about Liberia's political and socio-cultural landscape as it impacts the case at hand.

Louis Johnson, a local activist, also enriches the overall narrative of this film by adding on-the-ground perspective and detailing the experience of fighting against gender-based violence within the complexities and limitations of Liberian society.

Director Jessica Vale deserves accolades for the manner she seamlessly blends the raw reality of the Liberian context with a larger conversation about assault, discrimination, and human rights violation. Her deft camera work, combined with her uncanny ability to delve deeper into the human psyche, provides a heart-wrenching narrative that leaves a lasting impression on the viewer.

By no means is "Small Small Thing" an easy watch. It is a film that shakes you from within, exposing the grim reality of a nation's growing pains and the profound human cost hidden beneath the surface. Yet, despite the unsettling narrative, the viewer cannot help but feel captivated by the resilience and strength showcased by Olivia and those advocating on her behalf.

Against the backdrop of a true story, the documentary presents a stark contrast between the urban and rural social fabrics in Liberia, such as healthcare infrastructure, patriarchal norms, cultural superstitions, and the struggle for justice, which often falls prey to political maneuvering.

"Small Small Thing" serves not just as a reminder of the unspeakable horrors many women and children endure but also as a clarion call for social, cultural, and political changes to mitigate such transgressions. The unique story of Olivia and the prevailing societal norms that perpetuate her suffering can begin a dialogue around these issues, even if that change comes in the form of a ‘Small Small Thing’.