Mami Wata

Mama Efe (Rita Edochie) is the Intermediary for the village of Iyi and the Goddess Mami Wata, but she is unable to prevent the death of a small child or, indeed, other calamities. Some villagers want to be rid of her, because they know that other villages have modernized, with electricity, schools, hospitals and roads, but other villagers are content to follow the ways of Mama Efe. When a young man is cast up on the sands of the ocean, near-dead, Mama Efe and her daughters Zinwe (Uzoamaka Aniunoh) and Prisca (Evelyne Ily) bring him back to health, but he repays them with evil, not good. And finally, the women must call upon Mami Wata for aid or face utter destruction....

I saw this at Montreal's great FantAsia Festival, and it is a breath-taking film to absorb; done in black-and-white, with intricate facial decorations, seashell adornments and gorgeous images of the sea, the land and the people, the story itself re-creates a mythological realm, where present and past and future all commingle; the ending of the tale brought tears to my eyes (but I won't spoil it by telling you why). There's not a lot of film from Africa that comes to North America in general, so I don't know how available this might be; but it is utterly beautiful to look at and utterly heart-filling to see.

Mami Wata is a movie that mixes fantasy and folklore, present and past as well as thriller and drama elements in an captivating, innovating and unique manner. This movie was written and directed by Nigerian cineast C. J. Obasi and shot in Benin during Fête du Vodoun. The story takes place in a coastal village whose population believes in mermaid deity Mami Wata. The most important person in this matriarchal society is Intermediary Mama Efe who communicates between the mermaid deity and the villagers. Some villagers however start doubting the worship of the mermaid deity as they observe neighbouring communities build streets, schools and hospitals while their children keep on dying at a young age. When Mami Wata's daughter Zinwe starts doubting her community's traditions and decides to flee the community as mysterious mercenary Jasper appears and attempts to seduce the other daughter Prisca, things start violently shifting out of control.

This wonderful movie convinces on numerous levels. First and foremost, the director has taken the extraordinary decision to shoot this movie in black and white. This strategy enhances the atmospheric depth of the natural landscapes such as the dark ocean, the long beaches and the nearby vegetation. This creative approach also makes the huts and streets look more sinister. The artistic face paintings equally manage to stand out which helps viewers distinguish the numerous different characters.

Speaking of the characters, they have been incarnated with much talent by several excellent actresses and actors. Rita Edochie convinces as calm, confident and courageous religious leader. Uzoamaka Aniunoh impresses as confused daughter and heir who loses her faith in Mami Wata. Evelyne Ily Juhen delivers the goods as initially jealous and naive daughter who ends up becoming a brave and smart leader. Kelechi Udegbe excels as narrow-minded villager who spends his time consuming alcohol, complaining about traditions and seducing women. Emeka Amakeze leaves a lasting impression as mysterious mercenary who arrives seemingly coincidentally in the community and shifts from a philosophical seducer to a violent leader.

The way this movie portrays the clash between progress and traditions is impressive as well. The flaws and strengths of both sides are shown throughout the movie without ever being moralizing. The flaws of traditions are child deaths, increasing poverty and disgruntled villagers. The strengths of traditions are common beliefs, steadfast rituals and strong stability. The flaws of progress are unpredictable manipulations, divided societies and increased weaponry. The strengths of progress are hope for the future, increased health and improved infrastructures. This goes to show that no option is imperfect or perfect.

The movie's story and the way it's told also deserve to be pointed out. The film starts as a family drama that turns into an action-thriller. The entire movie interweaves elements of folkore as well as supernatural sequences. The film's final scene leaves a particularly lasting impression in this regard. The film is told slowly but surely as it will reward patient viewers with an open mind most.

To keep it short, Mami Wata is a movie like none other. The Nigerian production shot in Benin combines a family drama with an action-thriller and cleverly interweaves elements of folklore with supernatural sequences. The changing and shifting story is told slowly but intriguingly. The cinematic choices stand out positively and leave lasting impressions. The actresses and actors convince throughout. This movie certainly deserves more attention and acclaim, so don't hesitate to give it a fair chance whenever you have the opportunity to do so.

Saw this at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival

"Mami Wata" is a story about when the harmony in a village is threatened by outside elements, two sisters must fight to save their people and restore the glory of a mermaid goddess to the land. C. J. 'Fiery' Obasi clearly takes influence from several art-house filmmakers and presenting a story with African culture, language, and art. Obasi does succeed with presenting a slow-burn but beautiful and poetically type of narrative.

The main story feels simple but the direction, gorgeous soundtrack, camerawork and costumes helped to make the film interesting and beautifully constructed. Several soundtrack and camerawork moments remained something of David Lynch or Alexander Kluge. The performances from the cast members are a little strange as there were some great perofrmances but there were some that felt a little strange but I am not sure if they were bad or it was intentional to perform that way.

There are some problems as the pacing does drag and the narrative did take a little too long to get to the point but once it does, the film doesn't get boring. Nigerian cinema isn't something I have seen all the time but after seeing this and "Eyimofe", I look forward to see moe art-house films from Nigeria.

Overall, this was pretty good despite it's flaws. Great costumes and beautiful soundtrack

Rating: B.