Movie Title: Sista
Release Date: 5 August 2022
Director: Biodun Stephen
Runtime: 1 hour 34 minutes
Cast: Kehinde Bankole, Deyemi Okanlawon, Bisola Aiyeola, Akintola Adeoluwa, Adediwura Adesegha, and Adedamola Adewale.
Biodun Stephen’s film “Sista” distinguishes itself from typical Nollywood offerings through its hopeful and compelling storytelling.
While the plot—about a woman who gets pregnant young, gives up her dreams, raises the child alone, and later encounters the child’s father who has a new family—is familiar, “Sista” captures viewers’ attention with its engaging sequence of events.
The film’s exciting dialogues and Kehinde Bankole’s standout performance elevate it, making “Sista” one of Nollywood’s hidden gems and a must-watch.
Plot:
The film “Sista” begins with a flashback, a common technique in Nollywood films. It shows a girl informing her boyfriend of her pregnancy. Confused, they tell their guardians and are subsequently sent away. In the present, the girl, now known as Sista, is a cleaner.
The narrative alternates between two timelines, revealing that after being sent away, Sista and her boyfriend, Fola, move into Fola’s hostel to continue his education.
Their relationship deteriorates due to Fola’s laziness and lack of compassion, leading him to abandon Sista and their two children.
Determined to provide a better life for her children, Sista works hard and eventually secures a cleaning job in a wealthy man’s house, only to discover the man is Fola, now married to Tiwalope.
Although they recognize each other, they avoid confrontation. Fola, feeling guilty, confesses to Tiwalope, who attempts to reconcile the estranged parties.
Sista reluctantly agrees due to her children’s pleas.Tensions rise when Fola begins showering the children with luxury items and secures their admission to universities abroad.
This infuriates Sista, who feels betrayed by her children’s eagerness to accept the man who abandoned them, while she has been their sole provider.
The Review: Positive
Nollywood films often face criticism for their limited storytelling, but “Sista” is an exception, as its simplicity makes it enjoyable. Adding more narration could have detracted from the film’s appeal.
Though the storyline is familiar, even in older Nollywood films, “Sista” stands out by objectively telling the story and providing a happy ending for the characters involved.
Directed by Biodun Stephen, the film excels in portraying Sista’s growth from a semi-educated woman coping with betrayal to someone who learns to let go of her hurt.
The acting is also commendable, particularly Kehinde Bankole, who demonstrates a range many actors lack today. Her portrayal of a heartbroken mother is impressive.
Bisola Aiyeola also shines as Tiwalope, with her performance inviting viewers to root for her character.
“Sista” resonates with viewers primarily due to its exploration of family abandonment, making it a relatable film that celebrates the efforts of single mothers.
Negative
“Sista” features impressive yet cringy and Westernized dialogues, particularly for the children, whose lines felt more suited to American kids than to characters transitioning between poor and rich settings.
The plot suffers from being overly dragged out, with unnecessary details like the scene where Sista is accused of stealing, which adds nothing to the movie.
Streamlining the first half would have provided more time for the crucial interactions between Sista and Afolabi.
Some acting performances needed improvement, as better execution could have made the audience more empathetic toward certain characters.
Rating
Sista is a compelling educational film that deserves an 8/10 rating, and be prepared for a potentially tear-jerking experience.
