Eyimofe Movie

This movie is based in Nigeria. It shows the life and struggles of two people. This movie reminded me of the Nickel Boys film as it pertains to the “point of view” layout. The only difference is that we are able to see them operate within their environment, we see them. In Nickel Boys, we saw their environment through their eyes. It was set up as if we, the audience, were playing them.

In Eyimofe, the movie begins with showing the life of Mofe and his struggles. He works as a mechanic. He works with electricity. In the States, we would call him an electrician. He can fix anything that is broken, so I guess that is why he is considered a mechanic. He lives with his sister and young nephews. He is the only breadwinner in the house. He is struggling to make ends meet and money is tight. I can relate to him. Right now, money is tight for my family and I. Income is very limited and it is difficult for me to find a job. I am a full time student in college, so it is hard for me to make space in my schedule for a job.

One day, Mofe, comes home from work to find his sister and his nephews unresponsive. They are rushed to the hospital, but, unfortunately, they passed away. Their death was deemed an accident. The generator was the cause. Mofe tries his best to continue to go to work while grieving. He eventually goes to the bank to see how much money is there. Unfortunately, his not considered the next of kin, but the Bank tellers try their best to work out something. Eventually, Mofe finds out that his sister’s stuff must be split amongst the family. His father is willing to give Mofe only 20%. Now, I understand that everything must be split, but Mofe has been working so hard to make ends meet without help from the family. He should receive way more than 20%. He should get at least most of her stuff since they were living together.

Remember when I said that the movie showed the life and struggles of two people? Let us talk about the second person, Rosa. She works two jobs. She works as a waitress and a hairdresser. She is an older sister. She takes care of her younger sister, Grace. While bartending, she meets a man by the name of Peter. He is an American Tourist. He takes a liking to her. They go on dates and he bought her a new iPhone. She gives it to her sister. Rosa reminds me of one of my older sisters. When I had to visit my father part of the week through the weekends, she spent time with me and made food for me. She was like a parent to me, at the time. She took better care of me than our dad.

Eventually, Peter caught on to the fact that she was using him, so he stopped answering her calls. She had to find a different way to pay bills. She spoke to a guy named Vincent and made a deal with him. She would marry him as long as he takes care of her family, get her sister through school, and get her a shop that she could own. He agreed under the condition that she loves him and cook and clean for him. No, it was not right for Rosa to use Peter. It would have been better for her to be honest with him. I assume that she was not honest in fear of being judged. It is sad that she had to agree to be in a loveless marriage to get help. That is no way to live, but she had to do what she had to do.

It is frustrating to not have much, or have very little money, but bills are towering over you. Believe it or not, it is very expensive to be poor. Sometimes, desperate times call for desperate measures and Rosa showed this the most. She was desperate for help, so she had to get it the best way that she knew how.

References

Arie and Chuko Esiri. (2020). Eyimofe (This is My Desire) Trailer. [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ljzF35I-0I