Cinema is a specificity of vision. It’s an approach in which everything matters. It’s the polar opposite of generic or arbitrary and the result is as unique as a signature or a fingerprint. It isn’t made by a committee, and it isn’t made by a company, and it isn’t made by the audience.
– Steven Soderbergh
If I had my way, I would find a way to repeat the above quote in my next ten reviews. Whether the film I’m writing about is terrible or outstanding, I imagine Soderbergh’s words would apply nonetheless. We can all do with being reminded that a truly good film is the opposite of generic—the product of a singular vision brought to life by various people working with a detailed blueprint. And this is precisely how I would describe the short film, The Incredible Sensational Fiancee of Sèyí Àjàyí, a work so unique in its styling that it is, among other things, a herald of a major talent.
Written and directed by Abbesi Akhamie, the story follows Dr. Constance Moumie (Ellie Foumbi), a successful young woman, who is betrayed by her fiancé (Ayoola Ayolola) when he announces his engagement to one Princess Ada, on TV. Later, at lunch, he doesn’t apologize to Constance but blames her for forcing his hand. I guess he’s never heard of communication. Instead of wallowing in pity, Constance decides to crash his engagement party and expose him as a two-timing scumbag.
This plot doesn’t sound at all unfamiliar; stories about infidelity have been covered in comedy sketches and big-budget films alike. But it matters more where you take things to, and not necessarily where you get them from, and where Akhamie and her producer, Yety Akintola (also the costume designer), have chosen to transport us is Alkebulan, a world filled with vibrant colours and a rich African aesthetic. Alkebulan even has its own writing system. This is a far cry from other works that claim to represent or be inspired by parts of Africa and its cultures, only to never dig beyond the surface as far as worldbuilding goes.
The press release describes this setting as “whimsical,” and watching the film, I was reminded of the works of Wes Anderson in the visual symmetry of the production design and cinematography, and the whimsy that permeates the screen.
As a proof-of-concept for a series in development, the film excels, because it establishes the tone and characters incredibly well (which is what you always want your proof-of-concept to be; light on plot, heavy on ‘vibe.’) As a self-contained story, the film falters in its failure to provide necessary context for the inciting incident. However, this is still in line with the tone, so it didn’t affect my enjoyment of the film. I can only hope that when this short becomes a series, the filmmaker does the necessary work to bring this world and its peculiarities to life.
Speaking about her process, Akhamie says she imagined a world “without Western dominance…bright, colorful, and distinctly African,” and it is a testament to her success in creating this world (together with Yety Akintola and the rest of the cast and crew) that I immediately want to go live there.
‘The Incredible Sensational Fiancée of Sèyí Àjàyí’ had its premiere at AFRIFF 2024.
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