Writer: Biodun Stephen
Director: Biodun Stephen
Cast: Kehinde Bankole, Deyemi Okanlawon, Ronke Oshodi-Oke, Bisola Aiyeola, Tope Olowoniyan, Chris Iheuwa, Adedamola Adewale.
Year of Release: 2023
Streaming: Prime Video
Disclaimer: This review is a sub; slightly inspired by an overhyped horror movie whose review this writer decided not to publish to promote peace in the community.
Therefore, just as this writer has chosen leniency, she expects that the errants will catch their sub gracefully through this article, and do better.
Biodun Stephen’s recently released flick, Sistá, touched down on Prime Video earlier this June.
An emotional drama, it begins with us opening society’s favourite can of maggots: pregnancy out of wedlock.
And the principal characters, Vicky and Fola(impregnated and impregnator respectively)- find themselves on their own, with a baby to fend for.
Life as they both know it becomes tougher, but it is toughest for Vicky(Adedamola Adewale) who did not only have to forgo her education but also had to do menial jobs to fend for her baby daddy and their child.
Baby daddy( Chimezie Imo later Deyemi Okanlawon) on the other hand, despite the situation of things, abandons Vicky and the kids at the first chance because hello, responsibilities choke!
Now, 21 years later, he miraculously regains full control of his airways, and tries to swagger right back into their lives like nothing happened. He was set straight by Vicky(now Kehinde Bankole)and Tiwa(Bisola Aiyeola) , his current wife.
The first interesting thing about Sistá is the plot. Contrary to what my narration may have implied, it is a series of flash-forwards and flashbacks scenes but done in the most uncomplicated manner.
Another is the stellar delivery from the actors who all bodied their roles so well that you’d forget they are not the real character.
Ultimately, however, Sista is proof that our storytellers need not always look far and beyond to be inspired. Yes. Because we are the story. And the story is us. Walking memoirs-that’s what we are.
We are the ones who help the needy today but when the needy baby daddy turns out to be our cousin’s husband and our cousin tries to reconcile the both of them, we become an opp.
We are Sista whose children turn on at a slight glimpse of luxury. We probably are friends with the woman whose husband springs two children on, out of the blues.
Or the ones whose story is in no way similar to that of Sistá, but inspiring nonetheless.
The point is we are the story.
Therefore, as we seek to be fresh and non-cliché in our tropes, which may result into exploring uncharted territories, let’s be reminded to also look within. That way, we will better recognize the layers because the stories are ours, and express them properly.
Sistas is a 10/10 at Xplore Nollywood and it is vigorously streaming on Prime Video.
