These days, Netflix is ensuring that we don’t miss new Nollywood releases after they go out of cinema, and the latest addition to their catalogue is Damilola Orimogunje’s 2020 ‘For Maria Ebun Pataki’ which arrived on Netflix Naija earlier this month. Taking a firm departure from Nollywood’s round-of-the-mill slapstick commentary, the 2020 release is a deep thought-provoking drama which explores a paramount topic in society — postpartum depression.
Starring Meg Otanwa and Gabriel Afolayan, the film deftly address the issue of postpartum depression in new mothers. Given the typical clandestine nature of approaching topics of mental health in Nigeria, Orimogunje’s film is a daring inclusion in the film industry, as it allows viewers witness the realities of mental health and motherhood.
In the film, new mum, Derin is battling with mental struggles following the birth of her child. While she’s emotionally supported by her husband (played by Afolayan) and joyous at their new born, the new mother finds herself detaching and dissociating from everyone around her as she grapples with her own complex wiring. In these parts, we are typically raised to see mothers as the bedrock of the nuclear family as they are there to provide, support and nourish the household. However, ‘For Maria Ebun Pataki,’ takes a step further to depict the realities of motherhood through the lens of one of its most common side-effects.
According to current statistics from the NHS, 1 in 8 mothers will experience postpartum psychosis following the birth of their child and can start anywhere between 1 week to 1 year. Given these facts, one would expect that this form of depression is spoken about in great detail to expecting mothers or adolescents of legal-age, however, it is rarely given the level of seriousness it deserves as women and mothers are expected to be maternal.
‘For Maria Ebun Pataki’ does a great job at addressing the fact that women don’t seem to have opinions right after childbirth which as a matter of fact is extremely wrong. Fola’s mum (played by Tina Mba) displays her affection in the most supercilious way possible as she doesn’t seem to understand what her daughter-in-law is going through. Being from a different generation, she believes that mothers should be emotionally and mentally in-check for their children, failing to take into account that motherhood is not monolithic.
Derin’s situation is unique. Originally, she and her husband wished to have four children in their marriage but after several complications, Derin was only able to birth one child which eventually led to her losing her uterus due to further difficulties with her delivery. Meg Otanwa played the role expertly, bringing the character to life with her spot-on body language, dialogue and facial expressions. Her ability to express every single emotion without fuss or agitation but with clarity is exactly what the movie needed to pass its message across.
From her feelings of isolation, to the way she’s able to masterfully zone out during ongoing conversations, Otanwa brings her character to life, allowing viewers the room to see first-hand the effects of depression on the human psyche. The downside about sugarcoating depression is that it leads to loss of life. In ‘For Maria Ebun Pataki,’ Derin suffers the same fate, resulting to end her own life when the pressure got too much for her.
Rather than delivering a happy ending for both mother and family, Orimogunje’s film aims to show viewers the real-side of postpartum depression by showing what happens when it is not treated with utmost importance. Speaking on the film, Orinmogunje himself explains that he wanted the film to be more than just another watch, he wanted it to go a step further a showcase the realities of depression in Nigerian society.
“Mental health is real, postpartum is real. There’s no shame speaking up and seeking help. There’s no shame talking to medical experts or therapists. We are in 2022, there’s no sole standard on how to live, societal pressure must be addressed and this is why we’ve been advising the film to be watched with parents and family groups,” he shares with the NATIVE.
At the heart of it, ‘For Ebun Maria Pataki’ is a didactic film about the realities of mental health. It doesn’t always end with smiles and laughter all the time, for most people, grappling with mental struggles has real-life consequences such as suicide but it does not need to get to this level before it is taken seriously. ‘For Maria Ebun Pataki’ calls for us to question how seriously we take the struggles of those around us, particularly for mothers who are expected to be tough matriarchs in our lives.
The historic Fanti Carnival is set to make its grand return on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, bringing the...
The historic Fanti Carnival is set to make its grand return on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, bringing the...
The historic Fanti Carnival is set to make its grand return on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, bringing the streets of Lagos Island alive with colour, music, and culture. With roots dating back to 1890, the Lagos Fanti Carnival is one of Nigeria’s oldest and most vibrant cultural traditions, celebrating the deep ties between Nigeria and Brazil through a dynamic fusion of Afro-Brazilian heritage and modern creativity.
This year’s edition is supported by the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, in partnership with Robert Taylor Media and the Brazilian Descendants Association of Lagos. Together, they aim to honour the legacy of the Afro-Brazilian community in Lagos — descendants of formerly enslaved returnees who shaped the city’s culture, religion, and architecture.
The carnival procession will kick off at 12:00 PM, starting from Old Defence Road and will end at the JK Randle Centre, with accreditation beginning at 10:00 AM. Attendees can expect a stunning showcase of traditional costumes, Afro-Brazilian drumming, dance, and performances from local creatives reinterpreting heritage for a new generation.
Whether you’re drawn to the dazzling pageantry, the live performances, or the chance to connect with a rich cultural history, the Fanti Carnival is an unmissable event this Easter.
Tickets are now available, and more information can be found via the official Fanti Carnival website or their social platforms.
Dutch textile brand Vlisco recently unveiled its latest campaign ‘The Garden Of Sisterhood,’ as part of...
Dutch textile brand Vlisco recently unveiled its latest campaign ‘The Garden Of Sisterhood,’ as part of its women’s month celebration. The campaign, which looks to extend Vlisco’s rich legacy in African fashion and its ongoing celebration of creativity and cultural storytelling, takes inspiration from Congolese musical icon Fally Ipupa’s latest single, “Mayanga.” The song’s accompanyingmusic video was shot in the Ivory Coast, and seamlessly balances Ipupa’s signature soulful Rumba music with intricate floral motifs and soft, elegant colour palettes that celebrate the strength and individuality that blossoms through community.
In addition to Fally Ipupa, Vlisco also tapped up Ivorian fashion designer Loza Maléombho and Nigerian director Daniel Obasi to contribute to ‘The Garden Of Sisterhood’ campaign. Maléombho’s unique designs and Obasi’s striking storytelling helped contribute to actualising Vlisco’s distinct aesthetic and vision of merging heritage, creativity and fashion.
In a statement discussing the collaboration with Vlisco, the Congolese superstar described it as a beautiful experience. “They understood my vision of working with talented artists and honouring the beautiful women who wear Vlisco fabrics. By creating exclusive designs for me and the remarkable women in the cast, Vlisco really brought our artistic vision to life, harmoniously fusing music and fashion,” he said.
Similarly, Marlou van Engelen, the creative director of Vlisco, expressed that it was an honour working with Fally Ipupa. “His song ‘MAYANGA’ perfectly reflects our admiration for the women who shaped us, inspire us, and mean so much to us. For us, it’s not just about fashion; it’s about the stories told through our beautiful prints. And I believe the best stories are always told together,” she said in a statement.
Rigo Kamp’s Marathon video is an intimate Afro-juju revival that pays homage to Sir Shina Peters and stamps...
Last Friday, Rigo Kamp, a NATIVE uNder alum and one of the architects of an equal parts nostalgic and...
Last Friday, Rigo Kamp, a NATIVE uNder alum and one of the architects of an equal parts nostalgic and refreshing sound released his self-titled debut EP, delivering a propulsive fusion of Alte, R&B, Funk, and Soul-infused rhythms.
Featuring previously released singles “Morning Sun”and “Summer”, the six-track eponymous EP executively produced by Odunsi The Engine sees Rigo lean heavily into his element as a sonic alchemist, jumping from silky falsettos to gritty grooves without losing an ounce of cohesion, and ultimately stamping the Abuja-born, Lagos-based singer-songwriter as a mad scientist of sound.
Just last November, Apple Music named Rigo Kamp as its Up Next artist, an acknowledgment that underscored his potential and confirmed what the tastemakers and underground scene already knew. Weeks later, he delivered an exhilarating live set for Spotify Fresh Finds in Lagos, proving he’s just as compelling live as he is in the studio.
On “Marathon”,the refreshing opener to the Rigo Kamp EP, Rigo borrows the bounce and swagger of Afro-Juju legend, Sir Shina Peters’ golden-era, fusing nostalgia with re-imagination to birth a vintage performance that feels like a private party for two, where it’s just Rigo, and you.
Get an exclusive first look at the video for Marathon here: