A still from the filmThere’s a certain predictability to the South African movie Sink, but therein lies its appeal.
A story of loss, guilt, and forgiveness, Sink revolves around Rachel, a Mozambican maid, and a young couple who has employed her. Rachel is grieving the death of her daughter in a freak accident, caused due to the negligence of the lady of the house, Michelle.
Although severely distressed, Rachel decides to swallow her emotions so as to remain in the job. However, the weight of her burdened conscience and excruciating guilt haunt her like a shadow.
Matters become all the more complicated when Rachel realizes that Michelle and her husband, Chris, are expecting their first child after a long wait.
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Laden with regret and self-reproach, Michelle becomes so stressed out that it affects her relationship with Rachel and Chris. Her husband tries his best to pull her out of the mess, but to little avail. Slowly, when the reality sinks in, the trio are forced to move on with their respective lives.
Loss
Rachel lost her daughter Maiah but has a family to look after in Mozambique. A whole family depends on her income and hence, she has no choice but to reconcile with her employer.
Guilt
Maiah’s death was an accident, but Michelle can never forgive herself. She can’t be happy even during her pregnancy because of her pangs of conscience.
Forgiveness
Rachel has to survive. But can she forgive Michelle for her daughter’s death? Rachel tries her best to avoid the past and live in the present. At a time when Michelle needs her support, Rachel is in a dilemma. Rachel helps Michelle and forgives her. But she has to leave Michelle’s family and move on with her life.
In the film, water is a character by itself. It's there in almost every sequence. The non-linear narration used by the director makes the rather somber plot interesting. The film shuttles between the past and present, and creates a sense of tension in the minds of audience.
A tragedy has taken place, but nothing about it discussed among the three characters - Rachel, Michelle and Chris. The magnitude of the mishap is conveyed through the emotions of the people in the house.
In the end, tragedy coincides with hope and forgiveness. But does forgiveness mean forgetting?
