Village Skepticism Unleashes Power Dynamics

Read Time:3 Minute, 39 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Mami Wata
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Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Thriller
Year Released: 2023
Runtime: 1h 47m
Director(s): C.J. 'Fiery' Obasi
Writer(s): C.J. 'Fiery' Obasi
Cast: Evelyne Ily Juhen, Uzoamaka Aniunoh, Emeka Amakeze, Rita Edochie, Kelechi Udegbe, Tough Bone, Tim Ebuka
Language: West African Pidgin English with English Subtitles
Where To Watch: opens in US cinemas on Friday, September 29, 2023

RAVING REVIEW: In MAMI WATA, a tranquil coastal village named Iyi becomes the serene yet emotionally turbulent land where tradition and modernity cross swords. Under the direction of CJ "Fiery" Obasi, the film gracefully uncovers a narrative filled with spiritual undertones and earthly dilemmas. With black and white cinematography, the film resembles a visual art gallery come to life.

The reverent Mama Efe, portrayed by Rita Edochie, embodies the spiritual essence of the village as the earthly envoy to the divine water goddess, Mami Wata. But the peaceful currents of faith face rough waves when a young villager’s death casts whispers of doubt, causing ripples that reach even her daughter Zinwe, brought to life by Uzoamaka Aniunoh, and her disciplined apprentice Prisca, depicted by Evelyne Ily Juhen.

Amidst this sad narrative, a rebel named Jasper (Emeka Amakeze) enters the film, his radical ideologies clashing against the village’s entrenched traditions. His arrival echoes with simmering questions and accelerates the village’s inevitable confrontation with modernity.

With a Sundance victory for best cinematography propelling its course into the spotlight, MAMI WATA has become a juggernaut of religious and cultural statements. The cinematic storytelling doesn’t just narrate; it engrosses the viewer in a contemplative journey across a landscape where Christian and Islamic influences subtly color the tapestry of the villagers’ lives.

The contrasting visuals of ancient reverence against the backdrop of creeping modern skepticism are elegantly captured through the lens of Brazilian cinematographer Lílis Soares. The black-and-white palette enriches the narrative's visual eloquence. It underscores the emerging ideological dichotomy, making the village of Iyi a dramatic, almost ethereal, encounter between the old and the new.

As the camera navigates through the intertwined lives of Zinwe and Prisca, the narrative's focus subtly shifts, reflecting the evolving dynamics and the brewing storm of change initiated by Jasper’s unorthodox ways. Although the narrative rhythm encounters a hiccup with the swift ascendancy of Jasper over Mama Efe, the captivating fusion of drama and mystery, laced with a visual reverence for nature, keeps the audiences engaged. The quaint village becomes an arena where faith, doubt, and human resilience play out against a tide of adversities.

MAMI WATA dives headlong into exploring African femininity, breaking away from mainstream narratives and unveiling a realm where strength emanates from vulnerability and unity. The tranquil ambiance of Iyi, juxtaposed with the compelling tension of a community at a crossroads, invites audiences into a reflective odyssey exploring the delicate balance between the sacred and the profane.

MAMI WATA offers a cinematic lens through which audiences can explore the resonant themes of tradition, spirituality, and societal norms. The tranquil waters of Iyi may have witnessed a ripple that will forever leave its mark. Still, the cinematic waves generated by MAMI WATA are bound to leave a lasting imprint on the shores of the audience’s consciousness.

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[photo courtesy of DEKALNALOG]

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