We discuss the ending of the Amazon Prime Video French film Hawa (2022), which will contain spoilers.
With a promising storyline and cultural themes, I expected a lot from Hawa when reading and doing research and the film was a letdown. The character of Hawa has no real growth and depth to her, and the plot is slow and boring and leads to an anti-climactic ending. The stalking of Michelle Obama feels weird and the lengths she goes to are far-fetched. The desperation for her to be adopted isn’t strong enough when you hear that she’s turning down cousins to live with and has friends who care about her, so the film had promise but was a flop for me.
The film opens with two people walking along a highway/long stretch of road, on a long journey home. Clearly, they don’t own a car and come from a poorer background in society as the surroundings are bleak. However, the two are dressed in bright colors and walking with a purpose. We cut to a close-up of a girl with big thick goggle glasses and a big blonde Afro, who is introduced as Hawa.
Why does Hawa need to be adopted?
Hawa’s grandmother is trying to get Hawa adopted, as she is unwell and worries about what will happen to Hawa when she dies. Hawa isn’t happy with this and the majority of the film is her trying to find Michelle Obama and get her to adopt her. This comes about after Hawa finds a magazine at work where Michelle states her house feels empty after her daughters have left. Of course, no one wants to be alone, or go into social services or foster care when someone dies, but we hear that Hawa isn’t wanting to live with any cousins she has, or friends, so what makes Hawa so special? I thought it would be the theme of bettering herself in society, but this does come across, it feels more like an obsession to see Michelle Obama than to use her standing and wealth for a better chance at life.
Hawa comes home from work, at her local corner shop, one evening to find her grandmother collapsed on the floor. This realization puts Hawa on a quest to find Michelle Obama.
In the first instance, Hawa sneaks into a concert where Yseult is performing, as she knows she’s performing at a party where Michelle Obama will be. Hawa is hoping to hitch a ride and get into this after-party. Whilst there, Yseult takes pity on her and after a heartfelt conversation, offers to take her. Dressing her up in fancy clothes, and giving her fancy food, Hawa seems ungrateful and only cares about meeting Obama. Yseult is too ill to perform and is forced to cancel the event, leaving Hawa upset. Hawa won’t be stopped, she takes herself to the hotel where the event is, and when she isn’t allowed in by the doormen, tries to break in by climbing the fence. Hawa is caught and taken back by the police.
Whilst the grandmother is trying to get Hawa adopted, this doesn’t stop her quest. Hawa crashed a press conference for Obama’s latest book signing, and whilst pushing herself to the front is pulled out for not having a receipt for the book. Frogmarched out of the building, she finds where Obama will be leaving and stands with the paparazzi waiting. However, she doesn’t get a glimpse.
After a lovely walk through Christmas markets with her grandmother, she’s even more determined. So much so, she breaks into a hospital, locks a sick child in the bathroom, and pretends to be the sick child in order to see Michelle Obama. Michelle is at the hospital visiting sick children along with other celebrities. When a different celebrity, Mr.V, comes into the room, Hawa is less than impressed and leaves.
Hawa finds Michelle’s waiting room and stays in there until an astronaut comes in and lets her know Michelle has left. Together, they go for lunch, and he gives Hawa some nice advice.
Hawa heard that Michelle Obama will be leaving so she races to the airport, and goes through the luggage belt to try to get to where her plane will be. After wrestling with two guards and breaking her glasses, Michelle stops and comes over to see what the fuss is about. Caring and comforting, this is Hawa’s chance. Instead, Hawa tells her that her grandma died this morning. Michelle gives Hawa a pen and tells her to write her story.
Hawa ending explained
The final shots are of Hawa watching Yseult on TV performing a song written for her, about her grandmother never leaving her. Hawa is with her shop manager, safe and sound. As Yseult sings, we have a sequence of Hawa walking through a sandy desert, to her grandmother’s grave. Unlike the first opening shot, this one is brightly colored, and Hawa is smiling. A bird flies above her head, symbolizing peace and freedom, then the film slowly fades to black and ends.
Whilst Hawa’s character is unapologetic and brazen, her lack of accountability made for no character development at all. There really wasn’t a story arc, more of a cat-and-mouse chase, without the mouse realizing it was being chased. A crazy, stalker fan story, with a sad background, but not sad enough for me to really root for her. The film needed to build on the love and loss Hawa will feel and build on the desperation. The fact everyone helps and lets Hawa get away with so much illegal activity, made the film feel fake and unbelievable, and that made it boring.
The ending was simple, I was glad Hawa actually got to meet Michele Obama, but the circumstances were ridiculous and if she’d been an adult she’d have probably been arrested and shot. Hawa clearly got some closure she was needing, and it was nice to see her smile.
Hawa being with her shop manager, all happy and content, really did take away from the whole storyline, as in, if the manager was happy to take her, what was all the drama and fuss about?
The grave and the bird flying free above were a nice touch, but what were the closure and message really? Will things work out in the end? If your dreams don’t come true, don’t worry you’ll be fine? I think it’s a message that’s telling you that everything will be okay.
What did you think of the ending of Hawa? Comment below.
You can watch this film with a subscription to Amazon Prime.
