Ties That Bind

This movie came out about three years ago and I never gave it a chance until a friend encouraged me to a few days ago. It consists of three thought provoking stories, directed by Leila Djansi portraying African society in a way that many films have, but in a such a unique and succinct manner. Showing us that many women are still not offered the the fairness and choices that will give them a completely fulfilled life. In summary, Ties That Bind resonated for me because of the topics it handled with three women who are dealing with various issues of motherhood, infertility and being a woman in an African community. 

Adobea played by Omotola Jalade Ekeinde is also incapable of having live babies with her husband, she either miscarries, has stillbirth or the children die as infants. We watch as she endures several humiliations and pressure from all around especially from her mother-in-law. Though he appears weak and under his mother's thumb, I like that her husband stands by her her when it really matters.

Ama Abebrese blays Bukky who is a doctor, she loves her ex-boyfriend but has broken up with him because she's had two miscarriages related to incompatibility issues with regards to making healthy babies. She's afraid that means they'll never have children together, and does not want to be barren or subject him to the same fate. She is also scared that everyone will blame her, and the burden of having or not having children would crush their love and marriage. So she pushes him away even without telling him of her losses.

Kimberly Elise plays the American lecturer who is trying to track down a child she abandoned several years ago when she was still a crack addict. Her story is a bit sketchy though. However , her story does portray the rarely talked about issue of how women sometimes leave their children or have them taken away for one reason or the other, and how they are haunted by that, often for life.

Amongst these three “childless women” is a secondary character named Teresa, who does have children. But has to make the difficult choice of choosing between the society's view of her and her marriage over her children's health when her daughter is put in harm's way. 

The story was well told, Watch this movie. I give it 5 stars (but maybe because I'm just generous like that).

If you have seen this movie tell me what you thought of it in the comment box below.