Nigerian producer Mo AbuduCEO of ebonyvie Media, has contributed for years to sharing the stories of Africans through cinema and television – but never written by his own hand. So far, that’s the case.
Abudu made her debut as a screenwriter and director with the release of two short films addressing mental health issues in Nigeria: “His perfect life» and “Iyawo Mi” (“My wife“). His films have recently toured the festival circuit with stops at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, HollyShorts Film Festival, Rhode Island Film Festival and the Short Film Corner of the Cannes Film Festival.
“Both of these stories deal with very, very sensitive issues in Nigerian society when it comes to mental health issues,” says Abudu. Variety. “And this is a subject that we continue to underestimate. And there is so much stigma attached to it within our society – not just in Nigeria alone, but even around the world.
While “Her Perfect Life” tells the story of a well-off wife and mother suffering in silence beneath an impeccable facade, “My Wife” follows a husband from a poor neighborhood desperately seeking help for his wife. as she experiences unexpected hallucinations. When they don’t receive the support they need, serious consequences follow for the two female protagonists in Abudu’s films.
By conventional societal measures, Onajita, protagonist of “Her Perfect Life,” has it all: a loving husband and children, a successful career, and a beautiful home meticulously maintained by a dedicated staff. She regularly shares photos reflecting this on her social media; In her private moments, however, she struggles with heartbreaking emotions and contemplates suicide.
EbonyLife Media CEO Mo Abudu in 2022
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Abudu shares what she hopes people take away from the film, emphasizing the importance of empathy and communication.
“When someone says, ‘Am I okay?’ – are they really okay? Are we monitoring them to make sure they are really okay?
Abudu also discusses how “His Perfect Life” and “My Wife” highlight mental health issues across disparate socio-economic backgrounds in Nigeria.
“My goal was to tell two different stories about women in my society who struggle with mental health issues,” she says. “There is no discrimination against color, there is no discrimination against religion, or gender, or how much money you have in your pocket at the end of the day. It can affect anyone, any part of our society.
In “My Wife”, Kunle’s wife Eniola suddenly experiences a serious and unstable mental health episode, believing that her family is trying to kill her. Kunle first takes him to the hospital, where an ill-equipped doctor exhibits inappropriate conduct. He then turns to the church, who requests that Eniola be taken to the ocean to get rid of evil spirits. Eniola ultimately never receives adequate professional help.
Abudu says she hopes the film will speak to the importance of building societal infrastructure to provide mental health resources.
“We need to make sure there are support systems,” she says. “We need to stop denying it… Because I think some people are still very convinced that (mental illness) is not real. But it’s real.
After screenings of his short films at the festival, Abudu has high hopes that “Her Perfect Life” and “My Wife” will attract the attention of Oscar voters in the narrative short race for the next Academy Awards. Abudu is also looking forward to returning to the director’s chair in the future – and she’s caught the writing bug. No matter what topic she explores or what role she occupies, Abudu plans to continue championing African storytelling.
“As a continent, we have been so silent,” she says. “It’s really important to start looking at the stories in this space. That’s what’s exciting for me. It’s about bringing it home and showing that Africa is not being left behind. We are part of this global world. And our stories are just as important as any story from anywhere else.
(In the top photo: “Her perfect life.”)
