By Naomi Salami
Movie Title: Sista
Release Date: 23, June 2023
Runtime: 1 hour 34 mins.
Director: Biodun Stephen
Producer: Biodun Stephen
Background
Biodun Stephen has once again tugged at the heartstrings of many Nigerians who watched this creative and emotional masterpiece called Sista. Directed, produced and written by the talented Biodun Stephen, the movie is the epitome of societal relatability. The movie was supposed to be released in cinemas in August 2022 but the release was halted and was released on Prime Video’s streaming service on the 23rd of June, 2023.
The film tells the tale of a mother, played by Kehinde Bankole, who was forced into motherhood at an early age and was abandoned by both her mother and the children’s father. Unfortunately, the father of her children played by Deyemi Okanlawon decided he couldn’t handle the stress of being a parent and left his family, which was a bad turn of events. A decision which came back to haunt him and disrupt the lives of everyone around him.
The Plot
Sista begins by showing us two different scenes from different times in a bid to carry the audience along on the consequences of each decision taken in the past. We see young Vicky (Adewale Adedamola Rukayat), who tells young Fola (Chimezie Imo) that she’s pregnant and her mother is aware of the situation at hand. And just as expected this leads to instant panic and the young couple thinks of their next move. Almost simultaneously we see a woman who turns out to be the older version of Vicky (Kehinde Bankole) who goes by the alias, Sista. She works as a contract staff for a cleaning agency and is assigned to different locations to offer premium service to her assigned clients. Known for her hardworking nature, it is no surprise that she is mostly favoured by her boss who always recommends her for any task at hand.
Credit: Rogbitan Seun on YouTube
We later discover during a recollection of events that the family of her and Fola disowned them because of their irresponsibility and left them to fend for themselves. Although this caused Vicky to leave school, she struggled hard to put Fola through school and fend for the family through her resourcefulness. After Fola graduated and was preparing to leave for the NYSC mandatory exercise, Vicky took in for baby number two and this resulted in Fola abandoning them and leaving Vicky to take up the role of a mother and father to the children.
She constantly struggled to make ends meet but also took very care of their kids despite her hindrances. The young mother levelled up from selling sachets of water in schools to cleaning homes and offices. It was during one of her cleanups that she reunited with Fola (Deyemi Okanlawon) and saw that he was well-established and married to someone else. Due to guilt and feeling ashamed of what he had done, Fola told his wife what he did in the past and opted to do right by Vicky and his children.
Casts
This review wouldn’t be complete without appreciating the brilliant acting of Kehinde Bankole who perfectly embodied her character. From the emotions, she portrayed her tone of speaking. It almost looked like it was more than acting and the movie wasn’t far gone before we started getting teary-eyed. Even though this role isn’t one she’s mostly known for, it was perfectly portrayed. It only shows how great of an actress she is.
We also couldn’t help but notice the charisma of Bisola Aiyeola. Even though her character isn’t talked about much, we have to appreciate the role she played of a level-headed strong woman. And let’s not forget about the mix of the British accent with the Nigerian tone of speaking. It makes us wonder what other talents she’s been hiding from us because her level of expertise in the field is commendable.
Opinion
To say that this movie took us on an emotional rollercoaster ride is an understatement. Biodun Stephen successfully created a movie that a major percentage of Nigerians relate to. She intentionally dwelt on a mother’s strength which inevitably brought tears to the eyes of many who watched the movie. One of the reviews that was posted on Google said, “Sista! What a movie indeed. A true definition of the miles mother can go in making sure the kids are doing good. Kehinde Bankole acted her role so well that it made it real. Kudos to all the artists. You all did amazingly beautiful.” This is just one of the many good reviews that were posted by various viewers. It is safe to say that the director successfully communicated her message to the audience.
If we were to review every inch of Sista, it wouldn’t end today. We still can’t get over the brilliant storytelling and the perfectly casted roles along with the costumes and set designs which took a lot of planning to achieve. Biodun Stephen has proven time and again that she was born to create amazing and relatable stories. She told Saturday Beats that, “Sista was a project that was inspired by me being a mother. I also thought about my mother, who raised me single-handedly. The film reminds us of the sacrifices our parents have made for us and that we should appreciate them.”
Sista is currently streaming now on Prime Videos and it is a must-watch.
Naomi Salami is a Content Manager with Meiza Nigeria.
