"The Impact of 'Family Duty' Narratives: Lessons from Dead Serious"

Aside from the entertainment that films offer, they also have a role they play in influencing societal norms and values. Dead Serious, directed by Moses Inwang happens to be a pathetic example of such a narrative. The movie featured many popular Nigerian comedians and it portrayed a comedy movie setting yet many lessons were derived from it because it showed us what is currently happening in African homes.

Movie

About the movie:

At its core, "Dead Serious" revolves around the story of a father - Mr Kalu who, out of necessity and a desire to escape poverty, decides to give his daughter - Amara in marriage to the son of his employer, despite the mistreatment he endured at the hands of the young man. However, Mr Kalu, who was once a driver for the boy's deceased father, now finds himself in a position, serving the very person who inherits both the family business and his services as a driver. In one of the scenes, the daughter comes to the workplace and sees how her father was mistreated by the intended groom. This got her angry but she couldn't react because of the family's financial situation, the father's career as a driver was the only source of income to the family.

Central Theme:

The film explored the notion of sacrificing personal happiness for the sake of familial duty and financial stability - this happened when despite the maltreatment by the boss, Mr Kalu, the driver still decides to arrange his daughter's marriage to secure a better future. Here, the daughter did not have a decision of her own; from the movie, during courtship, or the moment they were getting to know themselves, his daughter was treated like a servant cooking here and there. This was already a red flag to the girl, but the father kept insisting saying that he'll change when they get married to each other.

Moral Lessons:

Though I am summarizing the storyline, I want to tell you that there were lots of complexities in familial relationships.
One of the most profound lessons that I got from Dead Serious is the idea of parental influence and the consequences of parents making choices for their children based on societal expectations rather than personal happiness. The film challenges the notion of arranged marriages and highlights the importance of allowing individuals the freedom to pursue their paths in life, including whom they choose to love and marry. At the end of the movie, the good part is that the girl finally marries whom she loves, respects and can call her "husband."

Furthermore, Dead Serious sheds light on the prevalent issue of social inequality in African cultures and the impact it has on individual agency and decision-making. The complete difference between the wealthy, entitled son and the humble, hardworking father shows the gap that exists within society and the barriers that often prevent individuals from breaking free from cycles of poverty and dependence.

Conclusively, the movie truly reminds us of the importance of empathy, understanding, and the pursuit of happiness in the face of adversity.

Here is my post for today's March Monthly Prompt

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