Mami Wata hit the cinemas on September 8, 2023, and has become the most discussed Nigerian film this week. While the internationally-acclaimed fantasy production was breathtaking to see, we couldn’t help but note some observations as we watched.
Note: this story has spoilers.
Black and white in 2023?
The whole movie is not a flashback, just in case you were wondering. Mami Wata just goes to show that pictures can be enjoyed in unconventional ways. The black-and-white emphasised the breathtaking cinematography in a way that coloured probably wouldn’t have. Which means those old monochrome televisions weren’t so bad. In fact, we want to see more of it.
Permanent face painting?
How many buckets of white paint did the movie producers have to buy? Come to think of it, how many buckets do the fictional characters have to buy per month to keep up the face-painting lifestyle? Important to ask because those intricate patterns couldn’t have been easy to draw, and they’re an everyday thing.
The hairdressers know work
These types of hairstyles are for the fashion magazines. Zinwe’s windmill and Mama Efe’s satellite will have you turning your neck anyhow in real life. Any serious fashion house should be looking for Iyi’s best hairdresser right now.
Why does Mami Wata give and take?
If Mami Wata is generous because she’s a bountiful motherly goddess, why does she take back her gifts? What sort of helper is that?
Is Iyi just Nigeria
No social infrastructure, only spirituality and vibes.
Who is Jasper really?
I knew that Lucky Dube look-alike was up to no good when he couldn’t say “Thank you” to Prisca immediately after Mama Efe told him she saved his life and made the delicious food he was eating. Same guy pretended just to get inside Prisca’s blouse. But why did he cry to his cross pendant because he laid with a pagan when he didn’t even have penis? Then he turned on his helpers and stole their land? A snake.
Zinwe, the Gen Z babe
A whole wannabe Mami Wata intermediary is scared of being thrown inside the river? After she came out alive, I expected some dramatic fanfare from the villagers. Instead, she just went on playing with her friends unnoticed for another week? What was all that bragado in the beginning?
Anyway, our Burning Ram Festival is almost here. Are you coming?
