Where to Call Home
fiction short film
7 mins / HD / colour / 1.66 : 1 / 2021
7 mins / HD / colour / 1.66 : 1 / 2021
SYNOPSIS
Eseosa, a middle-aged woman, grapples with the profound stigma and psychological burden caused by her infertility. She faces derogatory attitudes and incessant pressure from her husband and his family, especially his overbearing mother.
LOGLINE
A woman questions everything after her inability to conceive a child leads to stigma and derogatory attitudes mated to her by
her spouse and relatives.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
A couple is usually considered infertile if they’re unable to attain a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular
unprotected sex. (Without any form of contraceptive). Infertility could be primary or secondary. Primary, when the couple fails
to conceive, while secondary entails when the couple who have been successful in attaining pregnancy in the past, fail to conceive again.
In Nigeria, a great deal of stigma faced by “infertile” women come from other women, relatives and “well-wishers”. The reality
in many Nigerian communities however, is that women bear the brunt of the blame for infertility issues in marriage, often dealing
with emotional toll that the stigma takes and lacking the benefit of professional support. Infertility issues can be sometimes short term, caused by undetected STI’s. In a society where men are sometimes adamantly against such tests, the issues will continue to have more effects and consequences. Social isolation, discrimination, and sometimes, violence become the order of the day. The gendered nature of infertility stigma not only underscores the need for a more inclusive understanding of reproductive health
issues but also calls for increased awareness and intervention to address the multifaceted challenges women face. By challenging
these societal norms and providing equitable access to fertility treatments and support, there can be a shift towards shared responsibility and a reduction in the stigma associated with infertility.
The film offers a snapshot into the lives of women going through the ordeal through intmate vignettes of Eseosa’s stuggles offering
a window into her soul as she navigates the daily trials imposed by her circumstances. It was partly inspired by a short prose written by Lesley Nneka Arimah that tells a fantastical story where women create children from materials and nurture them to life with chants from elderly women, emphasising childbearing as a communal, women-only affair. The narrative critiques Nigeria’s obsession with motherhood through the protagonist, Ogechi, who strives to meet societal expectations at a high personal cost. Arimah’s tale blends vivid storytelling with a linear plot to present an alternate creation myth, highlighting issues of exploitation and the pressure on women to conform to maternal roles. The story uniquely excludes male figures, focusing on the societal pressure on women and the extreme lengths to which they go for acceptance. Despite its fantastical elements, the narrative serves as a commentary on the real-world obsession with childbirth, portraying it as an overwhelming societal norm that drives women to desperation.
CAST
Doris Eseosa as "Eseosa"
Florence Igbinosun as "Mama"
Nicholas Oviawe as "Osaretin"
Doris Eseosa as "Eseosa"
Florence Igbinosun as "Mama"
Nicholas Oviawe as "Osaretin"
CREW
Director: Eddie Iyamah
Writer: Eddie Iyamah
Producer: Ife Olutayo, Saraya Yaduma, Eddie Iyamah,
Co-Producers: Oreoluwa Ibitayo , Pelumi Oshilagun
Director of Photography: Eddie Iyamah
Production Designer: Dawn Peter Oshobor
Costume Designer: Dawn Peter Oshobor
Editor: Eddie Iyamah
Sound Design: Okechuwkwu Nwachukwu
First Assistant Director: Baba Peter