''For Maria Ebun Pataki'' is a 2020 drama film directed by Damilola Orimogunje. It features

Meg Otanwa Meg Otanwa (born 14 February) is a Nigerian actress and former banker. She had her Nollywood debut in 2011 in the film, ''I'll Take My Chances'' and had featured in films such as ''October 1'' (2018), ''Ojuju'' (2014), ''Kpians: The Feast of So ...

and Gabriel Afolayan in the leading roles. The film explores post-partum depression and was filmed in

Yoruba language Yoruba (, ; Yor. '; Ajami script, Ajami: ) is a language spoken in West Africa, primarily in South West (Nigeria), Southwestern Middle Belt, and Central Nigeria. It is spoken by the Ethnic group, ethnic Yoruba people. The number of Yoruba speake ...

with English language subtitles. The film earned six nominations in the 2020 Africa Movie Academy Awards.

Plot

Derin suffers a turbulent time while in labour and subsequently delivers her first child named Maria. Following this, she keeps to herself and is unable to participate in celebratory rites and the care of her newborn. Not understanding her plight, Derin's mother-in-law verbally abuses her saying she is not a good mother.

Cast

* Gabriel Afolayan as Afolabi *

as Derin *

Tina Mba Tina Mba is a Nigerian actress who was nominated for Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in the 7th Africa Movie Academy Awards. Career In 2017, she starred in '' Isoken'', ''Bariga Suger'', '' Okafor's Law'' amo ...

as Grandma *

Judith Audu Judith Emike Audu-Foght, professionally known as Judith Audu, is a Nigerian film and television producer, director, casting director, actress, presenter, model and blogger. She is widely known for her movie production credits which include Ju ...

as Tola * Demi Banwo as AY * Tubi Aiyedehin as Doctor

Production and release

''For Maria Ebun Pataki'' was the debut feature film of Damilola Orimogunje. Damilola Orimogunje said in an interview that he was inspired to make the film after waching a French film titled ''Amour'' and having a conversation about post-partum depression. It was shot for a period of 9 days in November 2019 in Ojodu, Lagos.

revealed via an Instagram post that she intentionally gained weight for her role in the film in order to portray a realistic post-birth body. The film premiered in November 2020 at Film Africa where it won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature. It started streaming on Netflix on 16 January 2022.

Reception

''For Maria Ebun Pataki'' received largely positive reviews as it was described by the '' BBC'' as "intimate, artistic, unusual" and by the ''Guardian'' as “a quietly affecting Nigerian film.” A reviewer for the '' Daily Trust'' praised the writing saying "The performances are stellar in this film but the writing is a blinding light. The writers make the story connect with the audience by creating a world full of characters that are real and tangible".

Awards and nominations

References

External links

{{IMDb title, id=13399804 2020 films Films about depression Postpartum depression in film Nigerian drama films Films shot in Lagos Yoruba-language films 2020s pregnancy films