Movie review: Mothers of Chibok makes you feel like you’ve lost a loved one to terrorism

Mothers of Chibok tell a story of hope amidst uncertainty. The film offers viewers a glimpse of what some Nigerians living in the Boko Haram enclave face daily – the fear of not knowing if they will see the light of day.

According to the synopsis, the film follows four Nigerian mothers as they struggle to educate their children after tragedy struck. The film marks the 10th anniversary of Boko Haram’s terrorist attack and the kidnapping of 276 young girls from a school in the village of Chibok.

Many in Nigeria may remember the horrors of 2014 when young girls were abducted by Boko Haram, who forced many of them to convert to Islam. This film, directed by Joel Kachi Benson, offers insight into the lives of many in the affected community.

This film featured fresh actors who resemble the faces we often see when the government releases images of rescued victims of Boko Haram kidnappings. We are pleased that the film was not directed by the usual Nollywood directors. Otherwise, the characters would have been portrayed by Lekki Nollywood actresses who would not resemble the struggles they are meant to depict. Sadly, we could not find the actresses’ names who played Lydia, Miriam, Yana, and Aisha.

Their performances were brilliant and a joy to watch, as their facial expressions conveyed their struggles. Despite Boko Haram’s terrorism, which aims to end Western education, the mothers still fought to ensure their daughters never skipped school. The way they consoled each other upon learning of their daughters’ kidnapping was touching. The most remarkable aspect of this film is that, while viewers are immersed in the villagers’ sorrow, a scene can suddenly appear showing them smiling and laughing. That depicts people not yielding to terrorism.

Mothers of Chibok

The story draws…