This Is My Desire

In the past few years, I've heard scattered things about Nigeria's film industry. I've only loosely heard about the sorts of movies getting made in Africa's most populous country, but I've finally seen one. "Eyimofe", directed by twin brothers Arie and Chuko Esiri, is a look at hardscrabble life in the ever hectic Lagos. The protagonists are two people looking to emigrate. Factory worker Mofe hopes to move to Spain, while hairdresser Rosa hopes to move to Italy. That's when things complicate their plans.

Watching the movie, one can see how life in Nigeria is a constant hustle. A college friend of mine did volunteer work there, and this movie matches what she described. People have to bribe their way through life, electricity is never guaranteed, and corruption is so rampant that people just accept it (hell, they practically expect it).

Basically, the movie shows how privileged we in the global north are. The fact that you have the means to read this should affirm that. Appreciate your life, because the Nigerians sure can't.

An outstanding movie.