IFFK 20013 - Nigerian life on centre stage in Country focus section !

IFFK 20013 - Nigerian life on centre stage in Country focus section !

The contemporary realities associated with Nigerian life in matters pertaining to social life, marital discords, relationship issues, friendships, romance etc. will find reflection in the seven films that are scheduled to be exhibited in the country focus section.

Two films of renowned director from this African nation, Niji Akani; ‘Aramotu’& ‘Heroes and Zeroes’ will be shown. ’Aramotu’, narrates the tale of a woman who fights for women’s right of self determination by striking a fine balance between traditional mores and contemporary realities. Apart from focusing on women emancipation, it also throws light on the evil effects of colonialism and dictatorships. The cinematography of this film is handled by an Indian, Ramesh Babu.The other movie ‘’Heroes and Zeroes’, is about the ups and downs in the life of a film director. It won the award for the best script in the African movie academy award. Interestingly Niji Akani is a former alumnus of the Pune film institute.

Director Andrew Dosunmu’s movie ‘Mother of George’, won the award for best cinematography in the 2013 Sundance   film festival. It is a poignant take on the conflicts between traditions, freedom, culture, personalities, responsibilities and docilities. It delineates the mental state of a woman who remain childless after her marriage.

‘The Figurine’ is a film based on the rich myths associated with African life. The movie is an attempt to capture the influence that religion has on society. The unearthing of an idol from an old, dilapidated and disowned religious place of worship causes a lot of turmoil and its resultant aftermath is portrayed in this movie directed by Kunle Afo Layan, who himself plays the protagonist. Another film of his ‘Phone Swap’, mirrors the urban life and narrates the story of a man and woman whose phones gets swapped.

The most prized and unavoidable gadget of our times, the mobile phone forms the crux of the plot of the movie,’ Confusion Na Wa’. The director Kenneth Gang here describes the life of a few black youth who blackmail the owner of a lost mobile phone.

Tunte Kelani’s ‘Thur Bolt’ ,is an exhaustive  look into the influence of colonialism among the tribes, natives and aborigines. The marriage between two individuals belonging to two different clans and the resultant problems  form its backdrop.

These films which revolve around the ground realities prevailing in the modern African life which are shown through the lens of an unclouded perspective,underscore the fact that ultimately human life has a lot of similarities irrespective of geographical differences.