Type - Short Fiction
Genre - Drama, Narrative
Director - Nikyatu Jusu
African Booty Scratcher (2007) is our review for today - a film by Sierra Leonean-American filmmaker, Nikyatu Jusu. Nikyatu is one of my favourite indie filmmakers from sometime back when she released this film, and ever since I have followed her work. I am keen on seeing the trailer to her new short which is apparently in post-production, Suicide by Sunlight (2018).
This short film cleverly confronts challenges many young Africans living in the diaspora go through, from fitting in with peers to fitting in with an overall culture-shock that hits them as soon as they leave the airport. A story I can personally relate to given that my very own family live in America. This short’s themes also reminds me of a poem by an old friend called Two Clocks which similarly, in a creative way, teases out the same themes. Now, on to the African Booty Scratcher review! The most immediate thing one notices is the spot-on casting, from supporting roles to the aptly cast lead role, DeWanda Wise (relatively unknown then and now features in the Fox Network T.V. show Shots Fired alongside Sanaa Lathan and Stephen James) who executes the Isatu character flawlessly.
This short film cleverly confronts challenges many young Africans living in the diaspora go through, from fitting in with peers to fitting in with an overall culture-shock that hits them as soon as they leave the airport. A story I can personally relate to given that my very own family live in America. This short’s themes also reminds me of a poem by an old friend called Two Clocks which similarly, in a creative way, teases out the same themes. Now, on to the African Booty Scratcher review! The most immediate thing one notices is the spot-on casting, from supporting roles to the aptly cast lead role, DeWanda Wise (relatively unknown then and now features in the Fox Network T.V. show Shots Fired alongside Sanaa Lathan and Stephen James) who executes the Isatu character flawlessly.
The story follows Isatu’s journey to her prom stuck in the middle of peer pressure, punctuated by a foreign culture, and family pressure to embrace the culture of her roots. Her mother makes her a prom dress - that makes her look like a young Wangari Maathai - which she initially rejects only for a change of heart to ensue after some experiences shortly in the run up to the prom itself. I will not say more, just watch the short for yourself and possibly share it with your friends. I look forward to more from Nikyatu - I like her style and hope to one day collaborate with her on an indie feature film project.
Rating - 4/5 stars
Review by Robert Mũnũku
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