Mami Wata (film)

Mami Wata is a 2023 Nigerian black-and-white fantasy film written and directed by C. J. Obasi, based on West African folklore. The film premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, marking Obasi's third feature to screen at Sundance.[1]

Mami Wata
Directed byC. J. Obasi
Written byC. J. Obasi
Produced byOge Obasi
CinematographyLílis Soares
Music byTunde Jegede
Production
companies
  • Fiery Film Company
  • Guguru Studios
  • Ifind Pictures
  • PalmWine Media
Distributed byCAA Media Finance
alief SAS
Release date
  • 23 January 2023 (2023-01-23) (Sundance)
Running time
107 minutes
CountryNigeria
Languages

Cast

Production

Obasi first came up with and began developing Mami Wata in 2016.[2] After writing a few drafts, he took part in a number of labs to help refine the script. In an interview with CNN, Obasi stated he "wanted to make a hyper-stylised film" with its style rooted in substance, taking inspiration from his favourite filmmakers such as Akira Kurosawa and David Lynch.[3] The characters Prisca and Zinwe were inspired by Obasi's late sisters. Production companies attached to Mami Wata include Obasi's Fiery Film Company, Guguru Studios, Palmwine Media, Swiss Fund Visions Sud Est, and Ifind Pictures of France.[4]

Principal photography took place on location in the rural villages of Benin and wrapped in January 2021.[2]

Reception

At the Sundance Film Festival, cinematographer Lílis Soares won the Special Jury Prize in the World Dramatic Competition for the film's cinematography.[5]

References
  1. "Mami Wata". 2023 Sundance Film Festival. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  2. "MAMI WATA goes to venice!". Fiery Film. 20 July 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  3. Page, Thomas (13 February 2023). "With Sundance winner 'Mami Wata,' CJ 'Fiery' Obasi is redefining what it means to be a Nigerian filmmaker". CNN Style. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  4. Mitchell, Wendy (24 January 2023). "Nigeria's CJ Obasi on how West African folklore inspired Sundance title 'Mami Wata'". Screen International. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  5. Donnelly, Matt; Debruge, Peter (27 January 2023). "Sundance Winners: 'A Thousand and One' Takes U.S. Dramatic Jury Prize (Complete List)". Variety. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
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