Ijeoma Iloputaife

2021

Multi-talented Imaginator Ijeoma Iloputaife, also known as Omah Diegu and ‘oma ‘taife, is a Ghana-born Nigerian who has taken up residency in California as an American citizen. She plays a pioneering role as the first African woman to study film and television production at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), and is recognized as one of the filmmakers of an iconic group known as L.A. Rebellion. As a college undergraduate in the mid 1970’s, Ijeoma Iloputaife studied fine and applied arts at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) and worked as a newsreel correspondent with Radio Nigeria Lagos during the vacations. Upon graduation, she worked as a reporter with Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Lagos before deciding to become a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) candidate at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) in the late 1970s. Ijeoma Iloputaife has since made a number of films, some of which are still in circulation, including African Woman-USA; and The Snake in My Bed. As ‘oma ‘taife, she’s held exhibitions of her oil paintings under such theme titles as “Strange encounter With the Ancestors” and “The plight of The Rural Woman in Africa.” As Omah Diegu, she continues to write poems, essays and novels which she hopes to add to her publications, which include Frauen Afrikas - Woman of Africa.

Фильмы

Rain (Nyesha)

Melvonna Ballenger

Evlynne Braithwaite, Bernard Nicolas

Director Melvonna Ballenger’s Rain (Nyesha) shows how awareness can lead to a more fulfilling life. In the film, a female typist goes from apathetic to empowered through the help of a man giving out political fliers on the street. Using John Coltrane’s song “After the Rain,” Ballenger’s narration of the film meditates on rainy days and their impact. The rain in this short film doesn’t signify defeat, but offers renewal and “a chance to recollect, a cool out.”

Rain (Nyesha)

6.7 ⚠️ 1978

США

Atilogivu: The Story of a Wrestling Match

Ijeoma Iloputaife

While no wrestling is actually depicted, Atilogivu: The Story of a Wrestling Match documents gymnastic dancing to drum and flute music of the Ibu people, east of the River Niger.

Atilogivu: The Story of a Wrestling Match

1982

Нигер, документальный

African Woman – USA

Ijeoma Iloputaife

Pamela Jones, Anna Berty

A woman from Nigeria seeks work in the United States while her daughter struggles with premonitions and homesickness.

African Woman – USA

1980

США, драма

The Snake in My Bed

Ijeoma Iloputaife

Ozim Ott, Petra Gudrat-Kuckherz

In common with many L.A. Rebellion films, Snake touches on such themes as institutionalized racism, colonialism and the plight of women of color. Narrated in the first person by the filmmaker as an epistle to her son, The Snake in My Bed tells Diegu's story as a Nigerian woman in Lagos who is romantically pursed by a German national who has “gone native.” Despite his secretive and duplicitous actions, she eventually agrees to marry him and has his child, only to learn that he is a bigamist with a German wife and child.

The Snake in My Bed

1995

США, документальный