Mami Wata (film)

Last updated

Mami Wata
Mami Wata (film) poster.jpg
US Promotional release poster
Directed by C.J. "Fiery" Obasi
Written byC. J. "Fiery" Obasi
Produced byOge Obasi
StarringEvelyne Ily Juhen
Uzoamaka Aniunoh
Kelechi Udegbe
Emeka Amakeze
CinematographyLílis Soares
Edited byNathan Delannoy
Music by Tunde Jegede
Production
companies
  • Fiery Film Company
  • Guguru Studios
  • Ifind Pictures
  • PalmWine Media
Distributed byCAA Media Finance
alief SAS
Dekanalog
Aya Films
Trigon-film
Djeli Films
Release date
  • 23 January 2023 (2023-01-23)(Sundance)
Running time
107 minutes
Countries
  • Nigeria
  • France
  • United Kingdom
Languages

Mami Wata is a 2023 black-and-white fantasy thriller film written and directed by C.J. "Fiery" Obasi, based on West African folklore. It is a co-production between Nigeria, France and the United Kingdom.

Contents

The film premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, marking Obasi's third feature to screen at Sundance. [1] In October 2023, it was selected as the Nigerian entry for Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards by The Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC). [2] It was nominated in the Best International Film category of the 39th Independent Spirit Awards, [3] and in the Outstanding International Motion Picture category of the 55th NAACP Image Awards. [4]

Cast

Production

Obasi first came up with and began developing Mami Wata in 2016. [5] After writing a few drafts, he took part in a number of labs to help refine the script. In an interview with CNN, Obasi stated he "wanted to make a hyper-stylised film" with its style rooted in substance, taking inspiration from his favourite filmmakers such as Akira Kurosawa and David Lynch. [6] The characters Prisca and Zinwe were inspired by Obasi's late sisters. Production companies attached to Mami Wata include Obasi's Fiery Film Company, Guguru Studios, Palmwine Media, Swiss Fund Visions Sud Est and Ifind Pictures of France. [7]

Principal photography took place on location in the rural villages of Benin and wrapped in January 2021. [5]

Reception

At the Sundance Film Festival, cinematographer Lílis Soares won the Special Jury Prize in the World Dramatic Competition for the film's cinematography. [8] It also picked up three awards at FESPACO - Prix de la Critique Paulin S. Vieyra (African Critics Award), Meilleure Image (Cinematography Award) and Meilleur Décor (Set Design Award). [9] It was acquired by Dekanalog for North American distribution. [10]

Critical response

On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 97% approval rating based on 37 reviews, with a critics consensus that "Visually stunning and narratively stirring, Mami Wata uses its monochromatic palette to reveal a captivating, dreamlike world.". [11]

The Hollywood Reporter describes it as, "A vivid narrative and a dynamic study in color." [12] IndieWire said: "The extra time spent developing the film pays off on screen: From its opening title design to the last notes of Tunde Jegede’s score, Mami Wata is a work of art." [13] The Los Angeles Times said: "That balance between light and dark is how Obasi most potently underscores all his themes: faith and proof, tradition versus modernity, the otherworldly alongside the human, and of course, Mami Wata's power to give and take." [14] The Wall Street Journal said: "Mr. Obasi's script elevates folklore by subtly infusing it with political implications and a sardonic outlook on feminine vs. masculine power." [15] The New York Times Critic's Pick review said: "In Mami Wata, the archetypes are familiar, but they work to make this Nigerian film a distinctly economical masterpiece." [16] Matt Zoller Seitz of RogerEbert.com in his review, gave it a four-star rating (the highest) saying: "The film casts a spell, and the spell persists to the end." [17]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cinema of Nigeria</span>

The cinema of Nigeria, often referred to informally as Nollywood, consists of films produced in Nigeria; its history dates back to as early as the late 19th century and into the colonial era in the early 20th century. The history and development of the Nigerian motion picture industry is sometimes generally classified in four main eras: the Colonial era, Golden Age era, Video film era and the emerging New Nigerian cinema era.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nnedi Okorafor</span> Nigerian-American writer of science fiction and fantasy (born 1974)

Nnedimma Nkemdili "Nnedi" Okorafor is a Nigerian American writer of science fiction and fantasy for both children and adults. She is best known for her Binti Series and her novels Who Fears Death, Zahrah the Windseeker, Akata Witch, Akata Warrior, Lagoon and Remote Control. She has also written for comics and film.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mami Wata</span> African water spirit

Mami Wata is a water spirit venerated in West, Central, and Southern Africa and in the Afro-American diaspora. Mami Wata spirits are usually female but are sometimes male.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West African mythology</span>

West African mythology is the body of myths of the people of West Africa. It consists of tales of various deities, beings, legendary creatures, heroes and folktales from various ethnic groups. Some of these myths traveled across the Atlantic during the period of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade to become part of Caribbean, African-American and Brazilian mythology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C.J. Obasi</span> Nigerian film director, screenwriter and editor

C.J. Obasi is a Nigerian film director, screenwriter and editor.

The NAACP Image Award for Outstanding International Motion Picture was created in 2013 and discontinued a year later. The award returned during the 2021 ceremony.

<i>Ojuju</i> 2014 film by C.J. Obasi

Ojuju is a 2014 Nigerian zombie thriller film, written and directed by C.J. Obasi. The film which has a zero-budget, stars Gabriel Afolayan, Omowunmi Dada, and Kelechi Udegbe. It premiered at the 4th Africa International Film Festival, where it won the award for "Best Nigerian Movie".

<i>O-Town</i> (film) 2015 Nigerian film

O-Town is a Nigerian crime gangster film written and directed by C.J. Obasi. The film stars Paul Utomi as Peace, a hustler at the center of various issues in the small town of Owerri, also known as O-Town. The film's music was composed by Beatoven and Wache Pollen and filming took place in Owerri.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelechi Udegbe</span> Nigerian actor and voice over artist

Kelechi Udegbe is a Nigerian film actor and voice over artist. He is best known for starring as the lead character in Officer Titus. Since his screen debut in 2009, Kelechi has starred in several films and soaps including Behind The Smile, Ojuju, Taxi Driver: Oko Ashewo, Horn Free Day and Kpians: The Feast of Souls.

The 2015 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards was the 4th edition of the ceremony. The event was held on October 17, 2015 in Houston, Texas. It was hosted by Nigerian comedian, Ayo Makun.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uzoamaka Aniunoh</span> Nigerian actor

Uzoamaka Aniunoh is a Nigerian actor and writer. She has been a regular cast member of MTV Shuga appearing in several series including the first and the sixth.

Imoh Umoren, is a Nigerian filmmaker who primarily makes indie films. He is most notable as the director of the 2017 film Children of Mud. Umoren is considered the first filmmaker to make a silent black and white film in the Nollywood film industry.

<i>Juju Stories</i> 2021 Nigerian film

Juju Stories is a three-part anthology film exploring juju (magical) stories rooted in Nigerian folklore and urban legend, written and directed by C.J. Obasi, Abba Makama and Michael Omonua. The film features three stories: "Love Potion" by Omonua, "YAM" by Makama, and "Suffer The Witch" by Obasi. It is scheduled for theatrical release in Nigeria on 21 January 2022.

<i>The Herbert Macaulay Affair</i> 2019 Nigerian film

The Herbert Macaulay Affair is a 2019 Nigerian film based on the life of Herbert Macaulay, a Nigerian nationalist and proponent of Nigerian independence. It was directed by Imoh Umoren and featured William Benson in the lead role alongside Saidi Balogun, Kelechi Udegbe and Martha Ehinome Orhiere. The film also features Herbert Macaulay's grandson, Wale Macaulay. Other historical figures portrayed in the film include Alimotu Pelewura, leader of the Lagos Market Women's Association, Oba Eshugbayi Eleko, the Eleko of Eko at the time, Amodu Tijani Oluwa, the Chief Oluwa of Lagos and Henry Rawlingson Carr, educator and administrator.

Natasha Bowen is a Nigerian-Welsh writer and teacher. She writes fantasy books for young adults. She is best known for her New York Times Bestselling novel Skin of the Sea.

The 2023 Sundance Film Festival took place from January 19 to 29, 2023. The first lineup of competition films was announced on December 7, 2022.

References

  1. ↑ "Mami Wata". 2023 Sundance Film Festival. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  2. ↑ The Scoove, Africa (October 16, 2023). "CJ Obasi's "Mami Wata" is Nigeria's Official Submission to the 96th Oscars". The Scoove Africa. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Mami Wata". 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Nominees Announced for the 55th NAACP Image Awards". NAACP Image Awards. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  5. 1 2 "MAMI WATA goes to venice!". Fiery Film. July 20, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  6. ↑ Page, Thomas (February 13, 2023). "With Sundance winner 'Mami Wata,' CJ 'Fiery' Obasi is redefining what it means to be a Nigerian filmmaker". CNN Style. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  7. ↑ Mitchell, Wendy (January 24, 2023). "Nigeria's CJ Obasi on how West African folklore inspired Sundance title 'Mami Wata'". Screen International. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  8. ↑ Donnelly, Matt; Debruge, Peter (January 27, 2023). "Sundance Winners: 'A Thousand and One' Takes U.S. Dramatic Jury Prize (Complete List)". Variety. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  9. ↑ Husseini, Shaibu (March 11, 2023). "Award Haul for C.J Obasi's Mami Wata At FESPACO". The Guardian Nigeria. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  10. ↑ Ntim, Zack (May 18, 2023). "'Mami Wata:' West African Folktale Lands U.S. Deal Following Sundance Debut". Deadline. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Mami Wata", Rotten Tomatoes, retrieved October 27, 2023
  12. ↑ Gyarkye, Lovia (January 31, 2023), "'Mami Wata' Review: A Nigerian Allegory's Energizing Experiments in Black and White", The Hollywood Reporter, retrieved January 31, 2023
  13. ↑ Rife, Katie (January 25, 2023), "'Mami Wata' Review: Cinematography Is the Star in Mesmerizing West African Folk Tale", IndieWire, retrieved January 25, 2023
  14. ↑ Abele, Robert (October 6, 2023), "'Review: 'Mami Wata' serves up a gorgeously rendered West African fable, tinged with mysticism", Los Angeles Times, retrieved October 6, 2023
  15. ↑ Smith, Kyle (September 28, 2023), "'Mami Wata' Review: A West African Struggle for Supremacy", The Wall Street Journal, retrieved September 28, 2023
  16. ↑ Yu, Brandon (September 28, 2023), "'Mami Wata' Review: An Old God Flickers Out in a New Era", The New York Times, retrieved September 28, 2023
  17. ↑ Seitz, Matt Zoller (September 29, 2023), "Mami Wata", RogerEbert.com, retrieved September 29, 2023
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.