In Vanity, postnatal depression takes centrestage

In its bid to spread awareness on prenatal and postpartum depression, a faith-based movie, Vanity, seeks to preach the gospel of recuperative care to Nigerians, to help manage and prevent breakdowns owing to the conditions. 

A Stepheny Acholonu-Onabiyi film, the movie, which is currently screening at theatres country-wide, tells the story of an accomplished career lady, Ify (played by Jemina Osunde), from Enugu who gets married to Kobi played by UzorArukwe and relocates to Lagos with him. She is put under pressure by her feminist husband to get a job and contribute to the family budget, as she battles settling down in a new town and prenatal depression.

According to the producer, Olufemi Oke, “My executive producer’s personal experience with Natal Depression as well as stories from other mothers who had similar experiences informed the movie. Hence, the message for us is to create awareness about natal depression, the importance of family and friends’ support to new mums and the significance of a man as a true leader in the home.” 

A lead actor, Uzor Arukwe, said playing the character Kobi, who is also a feminist husband, with his ideologies about women was challenging.

“The best villain in my school of thought are those who believe they are doing what they do for a greater good and a bigger picture.

So, this was challenging because I wanted Kobi to be mean for a just cause.

“The message for me is that before you get married, you must have certain conversations with your partner. You have to communicate and understand your partner so you know what it is they want for their life because getting married is being of service to the next person. Also, men need to understand that no pregnancy is the same, hence sacrifice is necessary.”

For Bukky Thomas, it is a lesson for especially working mums who leave their babies at home with strangers they barely know, adding that mothers should take precautions to keep their little ones safe. 

While filmmaker and actor, Belinda Yanga Agedah, noted that she is drawn to the idea of mental health and depression as Nigerians have become more receptive to the idea and how important it is.

“I enjoyed playing my role as it relates to pre-partum and postpartum depression which has always been there but never paid so much attention to.”

Vanity is showing in cinemas nationwide and distributed by blue pictures.