Mother of George (2013)

Adenike and Ayodele, a Nigerian couple living in Brooklyn, are having trouble conceiving a child - a problem that defies cultural expectations and leads Adenike to make a shocking decision that could either save or destroy her family.

Director:

Andrew Dosunmu

Writer:

Darci Picoult

Stars:

Danai Gurira, Isaach De Bankolé, Anthony Okungbowa

7 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Danai Gurira	...	Adenike Balogun
Isaach De Bankolé	...	Ayodele Balogun
Anthony Okungbowa	...	Biyi Balogen (as Tony Okungbowa)
Bukky Ajayi	...	Ma Ayo Balogun
Yaya DaCosta	...	Sade Bakare (as Yaya Alafia)
Klarissa Jackson	...	Atibo
Ishmael Omolade	...	Dave
Roslyn Ruff	...	Doctor
Chinaza Uche	...	Frank
Florence Egbuchulam	...	Funke
Mutiyat Ade-Salu	...	Helen
Atibon Nazaire	...	Hyacinth (as Atibon L. Nazaire)
Deen Badarou	...	Mr. Lawal
Da'Vine Joy Randolph	...	Marsea
Susan Heyward	...	Monica

Storyline

Adenike and Ayodele, a Nigerian couple living in Brooklyn, are having trouble conceiving a child - a problem that defies cultural expectations and leads Adenike to make a shocking decision that could either save or destroy her family.

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Plot Keywords:

woman | two word title | punctuation in title | apostrophe in title | character name in title | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality, some language and a disturbing image

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official US website

Country:

Nigeria USA

Language:

English Yoruba

Release Date:

18 January 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ma' George

Filming Locations:

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$750,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$30,000, 20 September 2013, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$145,400, 8 November 2013

Company Credits

Production Co:

Parts and Labor,Loveless,Maybach Film Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

[first lines]
Mother: [wedding ceremony] Ayodele, good health, love, for both of you. Give me good kids. We'll always be here for you.
Father: I wanna second that. Good health. A strong long life. Your secrets will remain intact. Your crown will stay long on your head. Your shoes will last long on your feet. In the power of the Almighty, in the power of the Oshun, in the power of all our Oriahas. Arise, arise.

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Soundtracks

Joyce
Written and Performed by Alaba Pedro
Courtesy of Jazzhole Records, Lagos, Nigeria

User Reviews

Nigerians in Brooklyn

Mother of George (2013) was directed by Andrew Dosunmu. It stars the lovely Danai Gurira as Adenike Balogun, newly married to Ayodele Balogun (Isaach De Bankolé). Although the setting is Brooklyn, we're shown that the old ways brought over from Nigeria still have a profound effect on people's behavior.

The title of the movie, "Mother of George," is realistic. As much as the young couple love each other, they are under the spell of George's mother, who controls many aspects of their life and their destiny.

The central plot theme is that, for whatever reason, Adenike doesn't conceive. This is never easy for any couple, but it's particularly difficult in the Nigerian culture, where a woman is supposed to conceive quickly, and often.

This is an amazing film, suspenseful, thoughtful, and colorful. We saw it at Rochester's wonderful Little Theatre. You'll lose some of the sense of the neighborhood and the costumes on the small screen, but it will work well enough to definitely be worth seeing.