Richard Ali reviews The Seamstress, a short film written by Tee Jay Dan and directed by Paul Frank.
A photo from the set of The Seamstress as directed by Paul Frank
A photo from the set of The Seamstress as directed by Paul Frank
  • Film:                               The Seamstress
  • Director:                         Paul Frank
  • Screenplay:                    Tee Jay Dan
  • Executive Producer:     Princess Pat Akpabio
  • Run Time:                      14 minutes 45 secs
  • Reviewer:                        Richard Ali

I was delighted to read on the Facebook page of my good friend and collaborator, Tee Jay Dan, a few weeks ago that his Etisalat Short Fiction Prize entry had been adapted into a short film. I promptly followed the link to YouTube where I watched the movie directed by Paul Frank. Then I shared the video on Twitter and elsewhere, and participated in the ensuing conversation. I believe that cooperation and collaborations, like the one heralded by The Seamstress, are signposts marking out the exciting new direction Nigerian arts, particularly the Creative Economy, is going.

The movie starts with a nice sunset with lines voiced over by a female character and this quickly segues into the first scene which, interestingly, is the arrival of chaos in the form of a beautiful woman, Edima [Bernadette O Wills-Obong]. Her arrival discombobulates three young men sitting outdoors shooting air, stunning them into an admiring silence. When the spell she casts is broken, desire having been kindled, the contest for her attention and affection becomes one between two of the friends – Ifiok and Uwem. Ifiok [Raymond Asuquo] is a dolt with genteel pretensions who fancies himself a poet and as a “master of analogy”, believes he will “analyse her, break her down and cajole her to be my girl”. Uwem [Etoro Akpan] is no less a dolt, but he comes from the opposite end of the spectrum, declaring divine blessings upon his personal desire and believing the match is destined. In the manner of young men everywhere, a bet is made between these two and they prepare, as it were, for conquest. Unknown to both lover boys, there is a third force on the field for Edima’s affections – the third friend and visual artist Nduke [Kenneth Ekanem], who is gradually revealed to have a speech impairment; yet described as being able to “hear from his soul”. The story revolves around which of these three wins the girl, and why.

This short film, in which an excellent screenplay is matched by a director who clearly does not believe in wasted film, is a signpost of things to come. The four actors deliver their lines with that well done ease of artists serious about their craft though the performance of Etoro Akpan [Uwem] is a much stronger one.

The most strident criticism of the Nigerian film industry, aka Nollywood, is its rampant confusion over whether it is a movie making industry or one set up to churn out drama that’s not quite for TV, with some burlesque thrown in. Second to this is the excessive sentimentalist angle to just about everything. In this short film, The Seamstress, the partnership of Paul Frank and Tee Jay Dan shows that there is a lot to look out for in the evolution of Nollywood, an industry that is only just turning out truly great films like Kunle Afolayan’s October 1. The marriage between writers and filmmakers, long argued for, is also a thing to be celebrated.

The Seamstress is a simple story, shot on a small budget. However, it is both a story and an achievement that will travel.

Watch the short film below:

Richard Ali writes from Abuja, Nigeria.
New Signposts: The Language of Love.

 

DON’T MISS OUT!
Subscribe To Newsletter
Be the first to get latest updates and exclusive content straight to your email inbox.
Stay Updated
Give it a try, you can unsubscribe anytime.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

187 COMMENTS

  2. This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
    I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more
    of your magnificent post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!

  6. Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer for your site.
    You have some really good articles and I feel I would be a good asset.
    If you ever want to take some of the load off,
    I’d love to write some content for your blog in exchange for a link back
    to mine. Please send me an e-mail if interested. Regards!

  8. I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great.

    I do not know who you are but certainly you are going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!

  9. You could definitely see your expertise within the work you
    write. The sector hopes for even more passionate
    writers such as you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe.
    Always follow your heart.

  10. I blog quite often and I seriously appreciate your
    information. This article has really peaked my interest.
    I’m going to take a note of your blog and keep checking for new
    details about once per week. I opted in for your RSS feed as well.

  11. When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and
    now each time a comment is added I get three emails with the same comment.
    Is there any way you can remove people from that service? Many thanks!

  19. I’m really loving the theme/design of your blog. Do you ever run into any browser compatibility issues?
    A number of my blog visitors have complained about my site
    not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari.
    Do you have any solutions to help fix this
    issue?

  37. I?m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your blogs really
    nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back
    later on. Many thanks

    Feel free to surf to my website :: Belle

  41. I’m really impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your weblog.

    Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself?
    Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing, it is rare to see a
    nice blog like this one today.

    Feel free to visit my web site http://www.stwx.net

  46. I’m extremely impressed along with your writing talents and
    also with the layout on your blog. Is that this a paid
    theme or did you modify it your self? Either way stay up the excellent high quality writing, it’s
    uncommon to look a great weblog like this one nowadays.

    Here is my website; Elite Burn Keto Pills

  59. I’m also writing to let you understand what a great
    experience my friend’s daughter developed using your
    web page. She came to find some things, with the inclusion of what it’s like to have
    an awesome helping style to let the mediocre ones without problems learn a variety of complex issues.
    You truly did more than people’s expectations. Many
    thanks for rendering the warm and helpful, safe, explanatory and also
    fun guidance on the topic to Evelyn.

    Also visit my web-site; Blaux Classic Desktop Air Conditioner

  62. I have to show some thanks to this writer for rescuing me
    from this issue. After looking throughout the world
    wide web and obtaining proposals which were not helpful, I believed my life was well
    over. Being alive devoid of the answers to the problems you have
    resolved by means of the website is a crucial case, as well as those
    that could have in a negative way affected my career if I hadn’t discovered your web blog.
    Your own personal understanding and kindness in handling the whole
    lot was very useful. I don’t know what I would have done
    if I hadn’t come upon such a subject like this. I can now look
    forward to my future. Thanks very much for your impressive
    and results-oriented guide. I will not hesitate to endorse the website to
    anybody who will need direction about this problem.

    my web page … Vital Maxx XL Reviews

  68. Hey would you mind letting me know which hosting company you’re
    working with? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different browsers
    and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most.
    Can you suggest a good internet hosting provider at a reasonable price?
    Thank you, I appreciate it!

    Have a look at my site http://www.craksracing.com/modules.php?name=Your_Account&op=userinfo&username=MaplesRobin

  69. My brother suggested I may like this web site. He was entirely right.
    This put up truly made my day. You can not consider just
    how so much time I had spent for this information! Thank you!

    Also visit my website Matilda

  74. Wonderful website you have here but I was curious if you knew of any user discussion forums that cover the same topics talked about in this article?
    I’d really love to be a part of group where I can get suggestions from other knowledgeable individuals that share the same interest.
    If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks!

    Also visit my blog post: Cognifen Memory Support

  76. I must show appreciation to you for bailing me out
    of such a issue. Right after checking through the search engines
    and coming across things which were not powerful, I believed
    my entire life was well over. Being alive minus the approaches to the issues
    you’ve fixed as a result of this posting is a serious case, and the kind which may have in a wrong
    way damaged my career if I had not come across your site.
    The knowledge and kindness in taking care of a lot of things was crucial.
    I am not sure what I would’ve done if I hadn’t
    come upon such a solution like this. I’m able to at this moment look ahead to my future.
    Thanks for your time so much for your skilled and amazing guide.
    I will not hesitate to suggest your web site to anybody who should receive support about this
    area.

    My web blog https://bbs.yunweishidai.com/

  81. Superb website you have here but I was wondering if you knew of any community forums that cover the same topics talked about in this article?
    I’d really love to be a part of online community where I can get responses from other
    knowledgeable individuals that share the same interest.
    If you have any recommendations, please let me know.
    Kudos!

    Here is my web site Divine Dynamic Keto Pills

  84. Can I simply just say what a relief to find someone that truly understands what they
    are discussing online. You actually know how
    to bring an issue to light and make it important.
    A lot more people should look at this and understand this side of your story.
    I was surprised that you’re not more popular because you most certainly possess the gift.

    my site :: ViagRx Reviews

  86. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as
    though you relied on the video to make your point.
    You obviously know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your blog when you could be
    giving us something informative to read?

    Look at my web site: tsw1.home.pl

  87. I would like to use the ability of thanking you for
    your professional direction I have constantly enjoyed browsing
    your site. We’re looking forward to the actual commencement
    of my university research and the complete preparing would never have been complete without surfing your web site.

    If I may be of any assistance to others, I might be glad
    to help by what I have learned from here.

    my webpage: http://marchegabonais.com/index.php/blog/73038/portable-honda-generators-the-eu-series

  102. I do not know whether it’s just me or if everyone else encountering problems with your website.
    It looks like some of the written text on your posts are running off the screen. Can somebody else please provide feedback and let me know if this is happening to them too?
    This might be a problem with my browser because I’ve had this happen previously.
    Thanks

    Here is my webpage – Gorges Cream Reviews

  116. I am really loving the theme/design of your site. Do you ever run into
    any browser compatibility issues? A couple of my blog readers have complained about my website not operating correctly in Explorer but looks
    great in Chrome. Do you have any tips to help fix this problem?

    Feel free to visit my blog … Body Core Keto Reviews

  118. Appreciating the hard work you put into your site and detailed information you present.
    It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while
    that isn’t the same out of date rehashed information. Fantastic
    read! I’ve saved your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.

    My homepage … ViagRx Reviews

  132. hello there and thank you for your info ?
    I have certainly picked up anything new from right here.
    I did however expertise several technical issues using this website, since I experienced
    to reload the website many times previous to I could get it to load properly.
    I had been wondering if your hosting is OK? Not that I am complaining, but sluggish loading instances
    times will often affect your placement in google and can damage your
    high-quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords.
    Well I am adding this RSS to my e-mail and could look out for much more of your respective exciting content.
    Make sure you update this again very soon..

    Here is my page – Herbivore CBD Reviews

  135. Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your blog?
    My blog site is in the exact same niche as yours and my users would certainly benefit
    from some of the information you present here. Please let me know if this ok with you.

    Many thanks!

    Here is my blog post :: shihan.com.ru

  136. Thanks for a marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it, you are a great author.I
    will make sure to bookmark your blog and will come back later in life.
    I want to encourage one to continue your great writing,
    have a nice evening!

    Review my web site: vntong.com

  139. Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
    I think that you could do with some pics to drive the
    message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is wonderful
    blog. An excellent read. I will certainly be back.

    my web blog: Paramore Cream

  140. I’ve been exploring for a bit for any high-quality articles or blog posts in this sort
    of house . Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this web site.
    Studying this info So i’m glad to convey that I’ve an incredibly just right uncanny
    feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I such a lot definitely will make sure to don?t omit this site and give it a look on a continuing basis.

    my webpage – Keto Redux

  141. I usually do not write many responses, but i did some searching and wound
    up here New Signposts: The Language of Love |Praxis Magazine for Arts & Literature.
    And I actually do have a couple of questions for you if
    it’s allright. Could it be only me or does it look like some
    of the remarks appear as if they are left by brain dead visitors?
    😛 And, if you are posting at additional sites, I’d like to follow anything new you
    have to post. Would you make a list of the complete urls of all your public pages like your twitter feed, Facebook page or
    linkedin profile?

    Also visit my website: http://www.hotelforrest.ru

  144. Good day very nice blog!! Guy .. Beautiful ..
    Wonderful .. I’ll bookmark your website and take the feeds additionally?
    I am glad to seek out so many useful info right here in the publish, we want develop
    extra techniques on this regard, thank you for sharing.
    . . . . .

    my web blog – Slimingo Reviews

  146. Hey There. I discovered your blog the use of msn. This is an extremely well written article.
    I’ll be sure to bookmark it and come back to read extra of your helpful info.
    Thank you for the post. I’ll definitely return.

    Feel free to visit my web site :: Slimingo

  151. Amazing blog! Do you have any recommendations for aspiring
    writers? I’m hoping to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything.

    Would you suggest starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There
    are so many options out there that I’m completely confused
    .. Any ideas? Many thanks!

    Here is my page; http://www.aniene.net

  154. Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thank you so much, However I am experiencing problems with
    your RSS. I don?t understand the reason why I cannot join it.

    Is there anybody getting similar RSS issues? Anyone that
    knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanx!!

    Also visit my web blog :: Cool Air Portable AC

  155. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied
    on the video to make your point. You clearly know what youre talking about, why
    waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your blog
    when you could be giving us something informative to read?

    My webpage; Alpha Extracts

  159. Hey! Someone in my Myspace group shared this
    website with us so I came to take a look. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m
    book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
    Terrific blog and excellent style and design.

    my site; Xoth Keto BHB

  160. Please let me know if you’re looking for a author for your weblog.

    You have some really great articles and I believe I would be a good asset.

    If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely love to write some material for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.
    Please send me an email if interested. Thank you!

    Also visit my blog … marchegabonais.com

  165. Superb site you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any community forums that cover the same topics discussed
    in this article? I’d really love to be a part of online community where I can get suggestions from other
    knowledgeable individuals that share the same interest.
    If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Cheers!

    Also visit my webpage … Gaia’s Choice CBD

  166. Right here is the right site for anybody who really wants to understand
    this topic. You know so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that
    I actually would want to…HaHa). You certainly put a fresh
    spin on a subject which has been discussed for ages.
    Excellent stuff, just excellent!

    Take a look at my webpage – Xoth Keto BHB Review

  176. 620446 430338Hi this is somewhat of off subject but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or in case you have to manually code with HTML. Im starting a blog soon but have no coding information so I wanted to get guidance from someone with experience. Any help would be greatly appreciated! 499346

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here