PODCAST | Matt Micucci interviews Michael Omonua, director of the film The Man Who Cuts Tattoos.
An interview with director Michael Omonua, director of The Man Who Cuts Tattoos, presented in the Dare section of the 2019 BFI London Film Festival. The director talks about revisiting and reevaluating a part of Nigerian tradition in this film, the concept of physical and psychological pain and why he decided to represent each via purposefully and clearly separated chapters, and whether he is a filmmaker who likes to challenge viewers to think, even by pushing them beyond their comfort zones.
The Man Who Cuts Tattoos: To mark the beginning of adulthood and prepare for marriage, a young girl in an Edo village must undergo a painful rite of passage through scarification. The agony she endures for a loving union finds her questioning the process. Sometime in the future, unencumbered by the traditions that exist in present day Lagos, Michelle questions her tumultuous relationship with boyfriend America. Having recently found out she’s pregnant, with America pushing her towards an abortion and with her job on the line, Michelle also considers the sacrifices that are made for love. With a stunning depiction of provincial Nigerian life and the grit of urban existence, Michael Omonua’s bold debut effortlessly bends time and human experience in ways that push the potential of Nigerian cinema.
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