“Mami Wata” is a striking, black-and-white cinematic parable from Nollywood that weaves myth, power struggles, and faith into a haunting narrative. It is unlike any mainstream Nigerian film visually bold, symbolic, and deeply tied to African spirituality.
The film is set in Iyi, a remote coastal village devoted to the worship of the water goddess, Mami Wata. Their spiritual leader, Mama Efe (Rita Edochie), serves as the mediator between the people and the goddess. But unrest is brewing many villagers begin to question the goddess’s power in the face of modern hardships, poverty, and outside influence.
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Mama Efe’s two daughters, Zinwe and Prisca, try to hold on to the faith, but tension grows as rebel forces led by a ruthless outsider threaten the village’s stability. The conflict escalates when Mama Efe’s authority is violently challenged, leaving Zinwe and Prisca to pick up the pieces of leadership.
What follows is a tense, allegorical battle between tradition and change, faith and doubt, womanhood and patriarchy. The black-and-white visuals amplify the story’s mythical tone, painting every frame like a moving photograph waves crashing, faces caught in stark shadows, rituals bathed in mystery.
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As the battle for Iyi’s soul unfolds, betrayals and power shifts shake the community, testing the sisters’ resolve and their devotion to Mami Wata. In the end, the story becomes less about gods and more about the resilience of women and their ability to carry tradition into the uncertain future.
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Director: C.J. Obasi
Cast: Rita Edochie, Uzoamaka Aniunoh, Evelyne Ily Juhen, Kelechi Udegbe
Runtime: 1h 47m
Watch trailer here.
