Jane Mambo

Jane Mambo
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Alan Smithee
Screenplay by	Jeni Agazeni
Produced by	Mikaeli Arenigwade
Starring	Lila Patel Amiliya Helimani Jemisi Simizi
Cinematography	Davud Lee
Edited by	Sara Gim
Music by	Yohanisi Gebere
Production company	Coastal Films
Distributed by	Orioni Pictures
Release dates	January 15, 1982 (1982-01-15) (Orioni)
Running time	93 minutes
Country	Orioni
Language	Oharic
Budget	Φ15 million
Box office	Φ125.2 million

Jane Mambo is a 1982 drama film directed by Alan Smithee and starring Lila Patel. The film tells the story of a young exotic dancer named Jane, who is struggling to navigate the misogynistic social norms of her small coastal town of Tesifa, Oris. The film explores themes of self-discovery, resilience and the human condition. Jane Mambo was released to critical acclaim and has since become a cult classic. The film's powerful performances, particularly that of Lila Patel, and evocative score, have made it a timeless piece of cinema. It is considered a must-watch for fans of drama and independent film. The film was also notable for being ahead of its time in its portrayal of a strong and complex female character.

Plot

The film follows the story of Jane, a young exotic dancer who is trying to make a living in the small coastal town of Tesifa, Oris. The town is dominated by a culture of misogyny and social norms that discriminate against women, and Jane is constantly facing judgment and prejudice because of her profession. Despite this, Jane is determined to make a name for herself and be true to herself.

Jane, about to be confronted by an angry police officer.

The story follows Jane's journey of self-discovery as she learns to navigate the challenges of her profession and the town's social norms. She is faced with difficult decisions and experiences that test her resolve and question her beliefs, but she manages to find the courage to stand up for herself and pursue her dreams. As Jane becomes more confident in her identity, she starts to challenge the societal norms that are imposed on her, and her performances become more powerful and meaningful. She starts to see herself as a person with value and worth and not just a dancer.

The film also explores the relationship between Jane and her friend Sara, who is her confidant and support system. This friendship is an important aspect of the story as it shows how important it is to have people who believe in you, accept you, and support you in your journey. Through her struggles and triumphs, Jane Mambo ultimately becomes a powerful symbol of resilience, perseverance and self-empowerment. The film ends with Jane standing on stage, ready to perform in front of a packed audience, with a sense of pride and confidence in herself.

Cast

The cast of Jane Mambo was widely praised for their performances, with many critics noting that their performances were one of the film's strengths and helped to elevate the film's themes and storytelling. The supporting characters in the film were played by a talented ensemble cast.

• Lila Patel as Jane, the lead character. Patel's portrayal of the character was widely praised for its raw emotion and vulnerability, and her portrayal of Jane's journey of self-discovery and resilience in the face of adversity. Patel's performance was considered a standout in the film and has contributed to its lasting impact.
• Amiliya Helimani as Sara, the friend of Jane. Helimani's portrayal of the character was praised for its warmth and authenticity, and her chemistry with Patel was noted as a highlight of the film.
• Jemisi Simizi as Joriji Tomaseni, the owner of the local club where Jane performs, and the main antagonist of the film. Simizi's portrayal of the character was praised for its complexity and nuance, as it showed how societal norms and prejudices can be deeply ingrained even in people who are not inherently bad.
• Mode Keregiregamawi as Sasini Binama, one of the dancers.
• Oliviya Chen as Mei Lee, the judgmental cashier.

Production

Jane Mambo was directed by Alan Smithee and written by the talented writer, Jeni Agazeni. Jeni Agazeni's writing for the film was widely praised for its depth, complexity and nuance, which helped to bring the story of Jane's struggles and triumphs to life. Agazeni's writing was considered one of the film's strengths, as it tackled heavy themes such as misogyny and self-discovery with sensitivity and authenticity. Agazeni's script was able to balance the serious and heavy themes with moments of levity, making the film relatable and accessible to a wide audience.

The film was produced by a small independent production company, Coastal Films, which was founded by producer, Mikaeli Arenigwade. The film had a relatively low budget and a short production schedule. Green was passionate about bringing powerful and thought-provoking stories to the big screen, and he saw the potential in the script of Jane Mambo. Under Arenigwade's leadership, the production crew was able to overcome the challenges of the low budget and short production schedule to create a film that was both technically sound and emotionally impactful. Arenigwade's dedication and hard work helped the film to reach its full potential and become the cult classic it is today.

Statue in Tesifa to commemorate the film.

The film's cinematography was done by a talented crew led by director of photography, Davud Lee, who captured the beauty and harshness of the Orinese coast with stunning visuals, which helped to set the tone and atmosphere of the film. The film was shot on location in the small coastal town of Tesifa, Oris, with the majority of the filming taking place in a local club that served as the primary setting for the film.

The film's score was composed by local musician Yohanisi Gebere, who created an evocative and powerful score that added to the film's emotional impact. Gebere's score was praised for its ability to capture the mood and tone of the film, and for its ability to enhance the film's themes and storytelling. The main theme of the film, "Dancing for my Dreams" was particularly noted for its ability to convey the main character's journey and struggles. Other songs like "Tesifa Nights" and "Breaking Free" helped to provide a musical backdrop that added to the atmosphere of the film. Gebere's work was considered a major contribution to the film's lasting impact, and it was awarded for Best Score in the Andro Film Festival.

The film's cast and crew were made up of a mix of experienced and emerging talent, with Lila Patel, Amiliya Helimani, Jemisi Simizi, Mode Keregiregamawi and Oliviya Chen playing the lead roles. The film was edited by a young editor, Sara Gim, who received acclaim for her work in shaping the film's story and pacing.

Reception

Upon its release in 1982, Jane Mambo was met with critical acclaim. Many critics praised the film for its powerful performances, particularly that of Lila Patel, and its evocative score by Yohanisi Gebere. The film's cinematography and its ability to capture the beauty and harshness of the Orinese coast were also noted as highlights. The film's writing, which tackled heavy themes such as misogyny and self-discovery with sensitivity and authenticity, was also widely praised.

Film critic, Huwani Simizi, praised the film in his review for Roiters, writing: “Jane Mambo is a film that packs a punch. It's a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of the human experience, and it's anchored by a searing performance from Lila Patel as the lead character. Patel's portrayal of the character is both heart-wrenching and empowering, and it's a tour de force that showcases her range as an actress.” Jane Mambo was considered a triumph of independent filmmaking and has since become a cult classic.

The film was also recognized in various film awards. Lila Patel won the Best Actress award in the Andro Film Festival. The film also won the award for Best Score in the same festival. The film was also nominated for several other awards, including the Best Cinematography in the Orinese Film Awards.

Trivia

• The film was shot on location in the small coastal town of Tesifa, Oris, with the majority of the filming taking place in a local club that served as the primary setting for the film.
• The film's lead actress, Lila Patel, won the Best Actress award at the Andro Film Festival for her portrayal of the character Jane.
• The film's score was composed by local musician Yohanisi Gebere, who was awarded for Best Score in the Andro Film Festival.
• The main theme of the film, "Dancing for my Dreams" was written by Yohanisi Gebere, and it was sung by Lila Patel, who gave her voice to the song.
• The film's writer, Jeni Agazeni, was inspired to write the script after reading a news article about the struggles of exotic dancers in small towns, and decided to explore this topic in a fictional story.