Direction: C.J. “Fiery” Obasi
Country: Nigeria
The third feature from Nigerian writer-director C.J. “Fiery” Obasi, Mami Wata, presents a modern fable rooted in West African folklore. This brave and unusual film blends cultural defiance, intriguing mysticism, survival tension, and an unlikely romance, creating a narrative that is both poignant and unsettling. Sometimes spare, sometimes reverberant, the film not only captures the obscure traditional essence of an isolated Nigerian village but also sheds light on the oppression faced by women due to the looming malevolence of power-thirsty men.
Two story follows two warrior sisters, Zinwe (Uzoamaka Aniunoh) and Prisca (Evelyne Ily Juhen), who struggle to comprehend the ways of their mother, Mama Efe (Rita Edochie). The latter is the powerful intermediary between the people of Iyi and Mami Wata, the African goddess of water. Mama Efe entrusts the problems and requests of the villagers to this spirit, rejecting all types of external help to bring vaccines, schools, hospitals, and electricity to the village. However, her authority is called into question when a boy dies from a virus. A central conflict arises - is Mami Wata a real spiritual leader or a myth? To further complicate matters, an inscrutable rebel deserter named Jasper (Emeka Amakeze) arrives unannounced, aligning himself with a local subverter, Jabi (Kelechi Udegbe).
Refreshingly simple in tone and efficiently structured, the film exudes the charm of old classics, embodying the eternal struggle between good and evil with a clarity that never goes out of style. Likewise, the dilemmas arising from the clash between rigid tradition and enticing progress are straightforward, allowing us to approach this different way of life with a sense of curiosity.
At times, the story may follow predictable patterns, but it remains consistently fascinating, steeped in lyrical enchantment and fierce determination. What truly lends the film its mesmerizing atmosphere is the quietly radiant black-and-white cinematography by Brazilian cinematographer Lílis Soares.
