State of the Heart (Premiered @ Catford Theatre London on Sunday 16.09.07)

Starring: Stella Damasus Aboderin, Bukky Akintola, Segun Arinze,

Screenplay : Oyinda Olorode, Richard Mofe Damijo
Director of Photography : Shuaibu Garau
Producer : Richard Mofe Damijo
Director : Kingsley Omo Efe and Richard Mofe Damijo

Ten years after his initial production debut, one of Nollywood’s iconic figures Richard Mofe Damijo has come out with a new project, titled State Of The Heart. This movie is about the parallel lives of two individuals, a young lady and a middle aged man living tumultuous lives and in desperate need of some sort of psychological and spiritual redemption.

Mozino (Richard Mofe Damijo) a successful businessman is in a fractious marriage not because he has an attitude or due to infidelity. Marioghene (Bukky Akintola) his wife feels he is not man enough, as he is unable to give her a child. Mazino puts his faith in God and tries to get his wife to see reason along the same line, knowing that none of them has a medical issue. Mario would not have any of this but rather makes Mazino’s life hellish and decides to sleep around. Mazino on his part decides on a way out, drinking and chain smoking to the extent that his health begins to suffer.

On his doctor’s advice he tries to adjust his lifestyle and ends up at a gym. He meets Oby Chukwuma a young lady just coming to terms with a failed relationship. Oby would be his instructor. Somehow the healing process starts for both parties through a relationship which develops. But the relationship is put under a lot of strain and tests due to external forces. While Mozino derives some stability from his friend and doctor, Oby has her mother to rest her shoulders on. In the long run fate seals them up.

The struggle with childlessness and the perceived notion of having a successful marriage only where there are kids to show for it, in African societies is brought to the fore in this film. Though set against the background of cosmopolitan Lagos, traditional undercurrents are real and strong through the issues dealt with. Joke Jacob’s role as Oby’s mother reinforces the matriarchic role as a vital component of African life. The characters come to life through excellent acting with credit to Stella Damasus Aboderin. Though shot on digicam format Shuaibu Garau’s craftsmanship is distinctive, with a refined handling of photography through compact shots which keep the audience sucked in and the edge of the seats. An overall good sound quality and aesthetics gives State of the heart a pulsating feel.