Nigeria is experiencing a very important cultural moment in cinema. In recent years we are witnessing this movement by some called New Nigerian Cinema in which new filmmakers have emerged showing everyone a different and dynamic cinema but above all deeply interesting and connected with social realities.
Knowing this, I watched: Eyimofe (This is my desire) - 2020 - the first feature film by twins and co-directors Arie and Chuko Esiri telling two different stories that unfold at the same time with characters who live very close to each other but who almost never meet, except by chance and as incredible as it seems, they have similar goals: emigrating from their country of origin in search of better opportunities in Europe.
It all takes place in the city of Lagos, capital of Nigeria, where the film's directors were born and therefore know very well the daily life and routine of the local people. The film is available from the Criterion Collection on blu ray or DVD – I would certainly highly recommend it to anyone looking for an eclectic, high-quality alternative cinema different from the mainstream.
The first part of the film called: Spain introduces the character Mofe (the excellent actor Jude Akuwudike) who works as an Electrical Engineer in a graphic that prints among other things political pamphlets. He works day and night in order to save money to buy a passport that will probably allow him to enter Spain and perhaps thus achieve the desired change of life. The directors themselves also left Nigeria in order to learn filmmaking in Europe and the US so Mofe is almost an alter ego to some extent.
He lives with his sister Precious (Uzamere Omoye) and their two young nephews in a small apartment. One morning when returning from his night job, Mofe notices that the power generator is still on, noting that his sister and nephews are dead. The film does not explain the exact reason for this accident but a young engineer who works with Mofe explains that the fuel for the generator that comes imported from Europe has low quality is highly toxic and that is probably what caused the death of the family that inhaled that gas during all night.
This tragic event changes the fate of Mofe and the dreamed trip to Spain will have to stay on flat ground at least for the moment. Everything happens in the first minutes of the movie and the story becomes more and more interesting as something new happens.
Chuko Esiri (responsible for the screenplay) built a captivating atmosphere with simple yet complex characters that are perfectly plausible and human.
Another very important detail in the film is the work of the excellent cinematographer Arseni Khachaturan who, with his interesting angles and perspectives, captures beautiful images always with great sensibility.
The second part tells the story of Rosa (Temiloluwa Ami-Williams) and her younger sister Grace (Cynthia Ebijie) both around their early twenties with one important detail; Grace is pregnant. Both plan to leave Nigeria in search of a better future in Italy (name of the second chapter of the film).
Rosa works more than one job to support herself as well as her younger sister who has regular appointments at the hospital accompanying her pregnancy. Therefore, Rosa also saves to buy the passports of Mama Esther (Chioma 'Chigul' Omeruah) who as a form of payment for the 2 passports wants Grace's future baby. As Rosa is the only one who works, the bills are many and the expenses are high. Even the caretaker of the apartment Mr. Vincent who even passes himself off as a good guy helping the two sisters, but like every man he also seeks Rosa's sexual favors in return.
At one point, she meets Peter (Jacob Alexander) at the bar where she works, an attractive, financially stable white American who falls in love with Rosa. However, Peter's other Nigerian friends, who have a better standard of living than Rosa, suspect that she just wants his money.
In other words, both Mofe and Rosa are vulnerable to all kinds of predatory people who brings them more obstacles than solutions to their problems. Against the backdrop of the city and the social reality in which the characters inhabit. The talent of all the actors is remarkable and the directors work with the right people because everyone understands the characters perfectly.
The social dystopia and reality of these people is demonstrated with images that are interspersed creating an enveloping, colorful and sad, simultaneously poetic kaleidoscope. The city of Lagos also becomes a narrative character in the context of the events of the scenes in the poor areas or in other more beautiful and tourist areas the camera always have a candid look capturing with affection all the moments of the film.
The new African cinema in general is getting better and better and this new generation of talents has everything to do with it. The Eseri brothers achieve something absolutely incredible and special in this first movie where everything works. The music, the cinematography, the story and especially the first class cast. I can't wait to see their next movie and I sincerely hope they continue on the right and coherent path of making more great movies. Daniel Nobre
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