“Dry” by @StephanieLinus
When I was first invited out on a movie-night by MsOEdeh and the girls, I remember making a joke about why we would come all the way to watch a Nollywood movie at the cinema. Forgive a sister– I didn’t mean to sound like an enemy of Nollywood’s progress. And, with all humility, I have come to confess that Nollywood has grown beyond business as usual. I saw this in Kunle Afolayan’s October 1 and it is exciting to see the high standard being maintained by others– as recently portrayed in “Dry.”
But this post is not about Nollywood or the standard in Nigeria’s movie industry. It is about “Dry.”
“Dry” the movie by Nigerian actress-cum-producer, Stephanie Linus, is one to see again and again. The story unravels the issue of child marriage and fistula, as it affects Nigeria, or Africa.
In today’s update, the official page shared:
More than two million women in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, the Arab region, Latin America and the Caribbean are estimated to be living with fistula, and some 50,000 to 100,000 new cases develop annually. According to reports, Nigeria may be accounting for 40 per cent global prevalence rate of Obstetric Fistula.
“Dry” goes beyond creating awareness about this issue. It actually puts a face to it– thus helping everyone who has ever doubted the reality to better understand the trend and dynamics.
It also exposes the fire brigade approach and band-aid solutions our government-leaders often employ to address issues in order to protect their image. And of course, how often it is those in power who contribute to societal decadence– by raping the future.
The theme of the movie is very intense. It covers key issues such as culture, corruption, illiteracy, friendship, commitment etc. Thankfully, some characters help deflect what would have been an ultra-serious and somewhat depressing mood in the entire movie with timely comic relief. As seen through the village gossip and Dr Klint the drunk.
