Beyond anything
else,‘Domitilla’ will always be remembered for the media buzz it
enjoyed and how fast it became a household name. With a star-studded
cast including Ann Njemanze, Enebeli Elebuwa, Kate Henshaw-Nuttal,
Basorge Tariah Jnr and Sandra Achums all lighting up the screen, the
movie was a box office hit. Directed by award winning producer Zeb
Ejiro, this was one of the earliest ‘street movies’ which explored
prostitution and life on the fast lane.
Unlike Ken Nnebue’s
1994 ‘Glamour Girls’,it did not have very suggestive sex scenes or
nudity despite its suggestive trailers, posters and movie jacket.
Interestingly, this
did not stop the movie from becoming a commercial success while its
catchy title gradually found its way into the Nigerian lexicon
(denoting a prostitute).
However, the
message was clear and so was the language which was funny as it was
relevant. Revealing the life of an average prostitute and quest for
survival, it was a combination of serious humour, empathy and emotions
all struggling for a place in the heart of the viewer The story
‘Domitilla’ is centred around a working class lady (Ann Njemanze), who
is responsible for the upkeep of her family back in Warri. She later
goes into prostitution to make ends meet due to the harsh economic
conditions. She hits it big after she meets a local politician, Chief
Lawson (Enebeli Elebuwa) at a party.She soon falls in love and begins
thinking about settling down with the chief. Her hope of settling down
is however short-lived because her dream turns out to be a mirage .In
time, Lawson’s wife gets her revenge. Colluding with the steward
employed by Lawson Mrs Lawson poisons the glass of wine the chief
drinks while visiting with Domitilla in her apartment. He dies and all
hell breaks loose.
Domie, as she is
also called, is utterly confused. She is charged to court and soon
discovers she is pregnant for the late Chief. However, the case turns
around when,under intense cross examination, the daughter of Chief
Lawson owns up to knowing of the plot by her mother to kill Chief
Lawson with the intention of framing Domitilla for the crime. Domitilla
is freed of the charge .
Fame and more fame
Although Njemanze
had earlier starred in an equally successful movie,‘True
Confession’,her role in ‘Domitilla’ saw her assume star status. Though
at the time the movie was released, a number of Nollywood films
explored themes of love and ritual,‘Domitilla’ was different.
Speaking about her
role in the movie, Njemanze disclosed that she ‘‘had to travel to Edo
State to learn how to speak their kind of Pidgin English. I also had to
shed some weight and we had to hang out with prostitutes at popular
joints in Lagos to understudy them.To play Domittila ,the only thing we
didn’t do was to sleep with them in their brothels, it paid off at
last”. Plus sized actress Ada Ameh also clinched her first movie role
in Domitilla.
The movie spawned a second part with also made stars Alex Lopez
playing a lesbian 15 years after, ‘Domitilla’ remains the best Nollywod
movie to beat on prostitution.The lesson to be learnt in the movie was
pretty clear ‘Ashewo no be work’.
