I saw this movie awhile ago but miraculously came across it on irokotv again last night so I re-watched it to refresh my memory and provide the best review. I love this movie, even though it was in ibibio language, it had subtitles and was easy to follow. This movie touched something within me, something that makes me so angry at parents who carry a child for 9 months, bring them into this world, only to label them a witch in the name of religion. I don't know what religion they are naming, but that is pure idiosyncrasy and illiteracy. Gosh I just can't. We have so many parents looking for children; yet, some ignorant-ass parents who have kids, banish their children and treat them like slaves all in the name of the "kid is cursed." This movie shed light on so many issues facing young children in the African society today (I say African because am only familiar with the African part, it's probably happening somewhere else in the world as well).
Starring:
Ini Edo - Inspector, Nse Ikpe Etim - Cynthia, Sophiana Jones - Ime, Moses Armstrong - Etebom, Ime Bishop - Pastor Zechariach, Ine Ikpe - Idara
Plot Summary:
It tells the story of a 14-year old young girl, Ime, who is going through hell in her mother's home all because her mother (Idara) is married to new man, Etebom. Idara wouldn't acknowledge Ime as hers, rather she treats her like the househelp and makes her call her "aunty" so her new husband would never find out Ime is her child. Idara is a member of a church called "Campaign for the Eradication of Small Scale Witchcraft" (smdh) that is officiated by a counterfeit pastor, Zechariah. Through this church, children are tied up and flogged merciless until they confess to being witches. Thus, it's of little surprise when Ime is labeled as a witch and blamed for all the bad happenings in Idara's house. Apart from struggling to accept the rejection from her own mother, Ime has to fend off sexual advances by her step-father, Etebom, who rapes the girl and constantly sneaks into her room in attempts to have sexual intercourse with her. Ime tells Idara about this but she is simply beaten up for lying and thrown out of the house for being a witch-from-hell sent to breakup her mother's new marriage. After being sent out of her home, Ime encounter's a true man of God and his brother who run a home to cater for abandoned children. They take her in for a brief period until Ime's real aunt, Cynthia (Idara's sister and a famous actress), comes and takes the child away to live with her. Cynthia also rescues another child, Mfon, who was going through psychologically-triggered fainting episodes due to the trauma she underwent in her mother's house before being thrown out for being a witch as well. Being a famous actress, Cynthia uses her influence to raise awareness on the issues of child-witchcraft-labeling. The movie concludes with Ime and Mfon finding happiness with Cynthia as their legal guardian.
**this is basically the storyline of this movie, there are other events that happen in between and lots of interesting plot twists amongst the characters that make this movie a great watch **
Pros:
Like I stated in the beginning of this review, the main themes highlighted in this well directed movie are child abuse, child witchcraft labeling, betrayal and hatred, and finally Christianity of the visionless and ignorant illiterate.
In this movie, Ime and Mfon both survived and found happiness. But we know in real life, the plight of majority of these abandoned children is completely different. These children more often than not have nowhere to go, no one to run to ... not to talk of the emotional and psychological trauma they will experience.
It's a great thing to practice Christianity but let's not forget that Christianity is supposed to bring peace into our homes and not to destroy it. Why should one blindly follow the preaching of a supposed Man of God even when it is wrecking havoc on your life? Shouldn't you begin to question if that pastor is a 'true man of God". I am a strong proponent of people finding their own salvation and developing their own relationship with Christ. Yes, the pastors are great to have around, they are great to help supplement you prayers but if you do not find your own way to Christ, if you do not have your own strong foundation and footing in the words of the Lord, how would you know when something your pastor is preaching is in accordance with the Lord's ways? Parents, please be wise! Do not bring an innocent child into this world only to welcome them with cruelty instead of love and affection!
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