Screening: Mami Wata + Q&A

Film screening of the award-winning film – Mami Wata – + Q&A with director C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi and Producer Oge Obasi 

Sat, 18 Nov, 2 pm, BFI Southbank 

Mami Wata

C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi, Nigeria 2023, West African Pidgin English, with English subtitles, 1h47m

This genre-bending tale brings to life a futuristic fable that fuses spiritual beliefs with inter-generational tensions. Set in the matriarchal ocean village of Iyi, where West African water deity Mami Wata reigns via village leader Mama Efe, it uniquely brings to the screen a story of mythology, fantasy, and folklore. When the village’s harmony is threatened, two sisters must fight to restore order, as traditions of the past crash with calls from the future.

This is the third feature from director C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi, who represents a new wave of Nigerian filmmakers. The film is vividly shot in black-and-white and accompanied by an incredible oceanic soundscape and hypnotic score to frame its fantasy fable. It won the Sundance Film Festival: World Cinema Cinematography Award (Dramatic) in 2023.

Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymiHajhJq9s