Judith Audu, a fast rising actress cum producer is one of the women irked by the menace of domestic violence. In her debut effort at film producing, she chose to delve into this topical issue which is still raging in most families though the victims most times endure in silence, reason been that they want to preserve their marriage or are scared of how the society will look at them which I think is wrong hence they must save their lives first, from these silent killers-abusive husbands.
Title: Not Right
Writer: Judith Audu
Director: Uduak Obong Patrick
Lead Actors: Omowunmi Dada. Judith Audu, Ani Iyoho, Phillip Festus.
Studio: Judith Audu Productions (2014).
Synopsis.
Out of ‘love’ and her desire to keep her marriage, Kumbi(Omowunmi Dada) is tied down to a relationship where the beast of a husband relentlessly abuses her psychologically and physically. Funmi’s(Judith Audu) attempt to save her from the looming tragedy proves abortive as Kumbi languishes under the mercy of Kola,(Philip Festus) her husband.
Being a ten-minute film, it is not easy to establish and impress certain aesthetics but artistic form must be conformed to in all dramatic experience.
Script/Plot Development.
The script, been the board from which a film is made, is decisive in the overall output of a film. Scripts are not just a dialogued story; it must have the famous three-act structure which is the beginning, middle and the end. Not Right being a short film conformed with that rule; from the ordinary world of Funmi and Tade having fun at home to the climax of Kumbi being battered by Kola and the resolution where Funmi found Kumbi lying in the pool of her blood in the dinning.
Being a writer and critic, I often find holes in most “advanced” scripts in Nollywood but I’m particularly impressed by the adherence to core structure by the writer despite the fact that she has barely seven minutes to develop the plot.
Acting.
The actors all interpreted their characters to the fullest. From the jolly moment of Funmi and Tade which Judith and Iyoho interpreted believably to Philip’s only appearance which caught my attention-this goes to buttress the fact that it is not the number of scene an actor features in but how well the actor interprets it that matters. Omowunmi’s interpretation through her first entrance convinced me and told me a lot about the abuse she must have suffered prior to seeking refuge in Funmi’s house.
Music/Sound.
Another aspect worth mentioning is the music/sound that accompanied the scenes. From the euphoric moments of the opening act where the soundtrack was light to the ominous scene where Kumbi was attacked. The soundtrack and effect helped drive the story by establishing the relevant mood as expected.
Art Direction:
I think Oduak’s vision is in conformity with the screenwriter’s which above all is worthy of commendation save some techniques that don’t seem okay by me.
1). The opening scene isn’t a prologue. Why pause the opening scene to display the title? If pausing scene-one is needed at all, that technique would have worked well and better if the title was thrown in after Kumbi entered with the battered face. Throwing in the title after the jolly moment meant the happy moment is not right. Some may argue that the title ushered in the the thematic focus, but titles don’t precede ‘the Call to adventure’ in a linear storyline.
2). In the scene where Kumbi entered with a battered face and Funmi was angry and screamed “…I’m calling the police right now, I’m not gonna watch you….” While saying and after delivering those weighty lines, Funmi showed no sign of calling the police to buttress her intent despite been terribly irked by her friend’s situation. Don’t you think the direction could have been better if she attempts a call, seeing how angry she is and the force with which she delivered those lines?
Cinematography and Editing.
The DP sure captured the scenes in perfect angles delivering crisp images as the editor assembled the entire pieces ensuring the scenes roll into each other smoothly. I’m particularly impressed by the scene where Kumbi was been beaten by Kola and the scenario transited to Funmi jerking awaking up to real time event.
Above all, Not Right is a film that you must see and I wish it should be shown to a wider audience so as to remind the society of this prevalent and ugly vice that is still ravaging many homes while the victims suffer in silence fearing to walk away due to what the society might think of them.
Though some men suffer this domestic abuse too but it is worse in women as the abusers torment their victims even psychologically like restraining a wife from getting a job, thereby making her completely reliant on the male who then dictates to the poor lady. It also comes in the form of the male threatening and shielding the wife, girlfriend from her friends so she won’t be able to reveal the pains she is experiencing in the relationship.
In as much as marriages must be preserved, a partner must not remain in such an abusive relationship as it may lead to a fatal end.
Much kudos to the producer, Judith Audu; for such a daring debut. Projects like this should be encouraged so as to fully emancipate victims and the abusers see the madness in their animalistic habit. Violence against women in all guises is Not Right.
**** OUT OF *****
Download the trailer HERE
See the trailer HERE
Know more about Judith Audu HERE
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