TRAUMATIC PRESENCE AND ITS EXTRICATION: A PSYCHOANALYTIC CRITIQUE OF RAPE IN TARA’S DIARY, DRY, LUCY’S DILEMMA, 2BROKEN AND PAIGE
Abstract
Rape is a front burner subject presently plaguing Nigeria and the world at large. The consequences have been devastating as victims suffer psychological trauma which result in unquantifiable anguish, low self-esteem, fear, depression and suicidal tendencies amongst others. In view of this, many rape victims suffer serious mental health issues. However, how these victims chart their recovery from the traumatic experience is downplayed and given less focus. This paper therefore focuses on the challenges, representation of these traumatic presences and explores how female rape victims navigate, negotiate and recover from trauma in Nollywood. Using five Nollywood blockbusters, Tara’s diary, Dry, Lucy’s dilemma, 2broken and Paige and anchoring on the psychoanalytical theory, this paper dwells on the trauma suffered by rape victims and examines the coping mechanism used to overcome their adversity while recovering from this inimical act. This paper advocates for care and emotional support from families and friends of rape victims to weather their psychological well-being. This paper submits that filmmakers should educate the public about the severity of rape and its subsequent survival strategies through the cinematic medium.
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Filmography
Title of film: Dry.
Screen play: Stephanie Okereke Linus.
Director: Stephanie Okereke Linus.
Producer: Jane Lawalata; Stephanie Okereke Linus.
D.O.P: Angel Barroetta.
Year: 2014.
Language: English and Hausa.
Company: Next Page Productions.
Starring: Stephanie Okereke Linus, Zubaida IbrahimFagge,Olu Jacobs, Darwin Shaw,Liz Benson, RekiyaAttah and William McNamara.
.Duration: 115 minutes.
Title of film: 2broken.
Screen play: LaniAisida.
Director: Simon Peacemaker.
Producer: Simon Peacemaker.
D.O.P: Abdullahi Yusuf.
Year: 2015.
Language: English.
Company: Rbliss Productions.
Starring: Belinda Effah, OmotuBissong, Iyke Michaels, and Princess Chineke.
.Duration: 75 minutes.
Title of film: Paige.
Screen play: Liz Ibe.
Director: Chico Ejiro.
Producer: Frank Dallas.
D.O.P: Samuel Okhakume.
Year: 2017.
Language: English.
Company: Grand Touch Pictures.
Starring: Tony Umez, Daniel Lloyd, Mercy Isoyip, Lisa Onu, and Oluchi Julius.
.Duration: 75 minutes.
Title of film: Lucy’s Dilemma.
Screen play: Chiamaka Nwokeukwu.
Director: Chinonso Aniebonam.
Producer: Chiamaka Nwokeukwu.
D.O.P: Chuks Nwali.
Year: 2018.
Language: English.
Company: Golden Steps Production.
Starring: Dave Ogbeni,ChiamakaNwokeukwu, Georgina Ibeh, Gloria Okafor andChuksIhemadu.
.Duration: 75 minutes.
Title of film: Tara’s Diary.
Screen play: AwazaJecinta / Uloma Marvelous.
Director: Charles Okwuowulu (D.G.N) /Chika Okafor.
Producer: Ameh Dennis Akoh / Charles Okwuowulu.
D.O.P: Michael Chinda.
Year: 2021.
Language: English.
Company: Department of Theatre arts, AEFUNAI.
Starring: ChideraFaustina Andrew, Kingsley Emeka, ChineloAssumpta, Obi Okoli, Ugo Doris, and Charles Emokpae.
.Duration: 115 minutes.
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