The Taste of Mango: A Portrait of Generational Trauma As Sweet As it is Sad
We inherit much from our families. Some things, like Chloe Abraham’s sweet memories of her ancestral land’s ripe Sri Lankan mangoes, bring joy. Others, however, are as hard and unyielding as the stone at the fruit's core. In her debut award-winning feature film, The Taste of Mango, Abraham offers a raw yet warm self-documentation of shared trauma spanning three generations.
Abraham weaves together candid shots and intimate interviews to capture the ripple effects that her grandmother Jean’s abusive relationship continues to have on their family. Her husband, the man at the centre of it all, almost certainly raped Chloe’s mother Rozana while they lived together in Southeast Asia. Now, she and UK-born Chloe must navigate the delicate tightrope between loyalty and the unrelenting disappointment and anger over the fact that, 40 years after the allegations, she still cannot leave him.
This tension comes to life most vividly during Jean’s visit to London for the holidays—a trip that is as confronting as it is uniting. In one moment we see an image of apparent harmony: the three women singing Elvis songs and wearing matching pyjamas. In the next, we hear Chloe’s voiceover reflecting on her mother’s silence, describing it as though “an alien had landed in our home, and we were going about life as normal.”
Later, with the safety of distance, we witness Rozana addressing the assault directly with Jean over the phone. Through the muffled receiver, we hear the grandmother’s delusional recounts of excuses for her husband, a rare glimpse into the psychological trap of abusive relationships. The scene is captured from above by Chloe on the stairs, evoking relatable memories of listening in on family secrets.
This deeply personal approach to filmmaking makes you feel like you’re eavesdropping throughout. Chloe’s background in moving images is evident in her first full-length piece. Poetic monologues are paired with subtle shots that capture the authentic personalities of her muses. This method allows a delicate story to unfold with tenderness and non-judgment.
Through Chloe’s lens, we forgive Jean and admire Rozana, experiencing them as she does. An ethereal soundtrack by Suren Seneviratne further enhances the immersion. The Taste of Mango is as much a story about love as it is pain. Thanks to Chloe's unique artistry and the honesty of all involved, it’s sure to leave a lingering aftertaste.
The Taste of Mango won both a BIFA for Best Debut Director and the Best Documentary Audience Award at BFI London Film Festival and has made the the BAFTA longlist for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer.
The Taste of Mango will have a US broadcast release on PBS’ POV on the 28th of April 2025.
