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( ♪ Trumpet fanfare)

(TV Reporter)
'Lagos, capital of Nigeria,

'prepares to give the welcome of its life
to Queen Elizabeth II.

'Or, in its own language,
to Oba Oberin, the King-Lady.

'A million Nigerians
are here to greet her.

'Just seventeen hours
from the mists of London airport,

'the Queen's Argonaut comes to rest
in the sunshine of Ikeja,

'the airport of Lagos.

'The Guard of Honour is mounted
by the Nigeria Regiment,

'many of whom, like the Queen's
husband, wear the Burma Star.'

( ♪ Rousing marching music)

'Governor General Sir James Robertson
and Lady Robertson

'welcome the royal couple
as they leave the Argonaut.

'In a temperature around the 100 mark,
the queen still looks cool

'as the royal car makes
its 13-mile journey to the capital

'at a steady eight miles an hour.

'Every foot of the way
the road is packed with Nigerians.

'The welcome is as tremendous as
any Her Majesty has ever been given,

'and it's a proud welcome.

'For this is no longer a people
in colonial subjection,

'but a free nation with its feet already
firmly on the road to self-government.'

( ♪ MIRIAM MAKEBA:
"The Naughty Little Flea")

♪ Where did the naughty little flea go?

♪ Won't somebody tell me?

♪ Where did the naughty little flea go?

♪ Won't somebody tell me?

♪ Tell me now,
where did the naughty little flea go?

(Chorus) ♪ Nobody know, nobody know

♪ Tell me now,
where did the naughty little flea go?

(Chorus) ♪ Nobody know, nobody know

♪ There was a naughty little flea

♪ He climbed up
on the doggie's knee

♪ He climbed some here,
he climbed some there

♪ He was climbing everywhere

♪ Tell me,
where did the naughty little flea go... ♪

(Cheering and applause)

(Woman) Happy Independence Day!

(Kainene) Are you going
to help dad get his contracts?

What do you mean?

Will you be spreading your legs
for the Right Honourable Minister

in exchange for daddy's contract?

What do you think?

Hurry up, you two.
His Excellency's here.

- (Kainene) We'll be right down, Mum.
- Help me with this, will you?

I hope you've thought about coming
to join us at the Ministry, Olanna.

We need first-class brains like yours.

How many people get offered jobs
personally from the Finance Minister?

I've decided to go to Nsukka.
I'll be leaving next week.

Is that right?
You have decided to move to Nsukka?

I applied for a job as a lecturer in
the Department of Sociology and I got it.

Oh?

So you'll be leaving Lagos?

Er... why don't you all come
to my house this weekend, eh?

If only to sample
my cook's fish pepper soup.

The chap is from Nembe,
he knows what to do with fresh fish.

Sounds wonderful, Honourable Minister.

I won't be here this weekend.

You won't be here?

I made plans to go to Kano
to see Uncle Mbaezi and the family.

I see.

And what about you, Kainene?

What about me, indeed?

I, too, will be putting my newly acquired
degree to good use.

I'm moving to Port Harcourt
to manage daddy's businesses there.

So Kainene will manage
the cement factory?

The cement factory,
the bottling company,

the sawmills and the freight carriers,
everything.

She'll oversee everything in the east.

Whoever said you lost out
by having twin daughters is a liar.

(Father) Thank you, Minister.

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Independence Day.

- Are you all set?
- All set for what, Kainene?

It's Independence Day, Mummy.

There are 1001 soirées
in Lagos tonight.

Good evening, Chief.

You realise, don't you, that you've
just cost daddy the contract?

It's not as if he'll get nothing.

Daddy will still give him
ten per cent after all.

Well, the ten per cent is standard,
so extras always help.

The other bidders probably
don't have a beautiful daughter.

That horrid little woman, Richard,
and right in my face too.

- Susan, I wasn't.
- I know you didn't mean to flirt.

- But you must understand...
- Susan, I wasn't flirting.

- Champagne, Madam?
- The gossip here is just vicious.

How are you, Olanna?

Happy Independence Day.

The Hausa in the north
are a dignified lot,

the Yoruba are rather jolly,
as well as being first-rate lickspittles.

- And the Igbo are...
- Surly and money-loving.

Hello, Graham.

Meet Kainene Ozobia,
Chief Ozobia's daughter.

Kainene is a summa cum laude
graduate of Yale

and an Oxford graduate to boot.

Kainene, this is Susan Grenville-Pitts,
from the British Council.

- How do you do?
- And this is...

- I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch...
- Richard. Richard Churchill.

Now, I want to speak to you.

Hello.

I'm no relation of Sir Winston's,
I'm afraid,

or I might've turned out
a little cleverer.

How funny.

( ♪ Jazz band plays in background)

Great music, don't you think?

It turns out Kainene and I have
a mutual friend in London.

How lovely. I'll let you two
catch up then. Back in a bit.

You just lied to your wife.

She's not my wife.

- Move out of the way, please.
- What?

There is a photographer behind you
who's keen to take a photo of me,

and particularly my necklace.

(Man) Thank you, Ma'am.

The necklace will be featured
in tomorrow's "Lagos Life".

That will be my way of contributing
to our newly independent country.

I'm giving fellow Nigerians
something to aspire to,

an incentive to work hard.

- It's a lovely necklace.
- Of course it's not lovely!

My father has obscene taste
in jewellery.

But it's his money.

I see my sister looking for me.
I should go.

Don't go... please.

Shall I introduce you?
Everybody wants to meet her.

I'd rather talk to you.
If you don't mind.

- Here comes the wife you denied.
- Darling?

- How lovely to meet you.
- How lovely to meet you.

Don't tell me you're interested in him.

- What if I was?
- What about Okafor?

You know that ended long ago.
Now we're just good friends.

- And Iain with the dimples?
- No, it's over with Iain.

- Robert?
- Robert is history.

No, he's here. Hello, Robert!

Ha-bloody-ha! You're not funny.

(Giggling)

I just don't get what you see
in these English boys.

Watch out, though.
This one is married.

No. That's just a woman who doesn't
know when to cut her losses.

Did he say as much?

Operator?

For you, Ma'am.
Mr Churchill on the line.

Churchill?

Hello? Who is this?

It's me, Richard.

- We met last night at...
- 'Yes...'

The man who denied his wife.
Hello, Richard.

(Music and raucous laughter)

( ♪ Singing in native language)

Did you come to Nigeria
to run away from something?

No.

I've always wanted to see Africa,

so I took leave from "The Spectator"

and a generous loan from my aunt and...

- And here you are.
- Here I am.

A modern-day explorer
of the "Dark Continent".

I've accepted an offer to join
the Faculty of English at Nsukka.

Splendid. My sister's there.

She'll introduce you to her revolutionary
lover and his band of drinkers.

And you can come visit me
in Port Harcourt.

Ah, I can't believe it's you.
You've come to help.

All right. Let's go to Aunt Ifeka's.

(Screams of delight)

You have been on my mind.

I knew you would come
and see us soon.

Uncle, good afternoon.

And how is Lagos treating my sister?

- Lagos is treating mother well.
- And your sister and your father?

- How is your father?
- Daddy is well.

Kainene is well.

See who is here!

- Ah! Olanna!
- My Auntie!

- How is your mother?
- She's good.

Oh!

May another person do for you.

May another person do for you.

Ahh...

Cousin!

You should've warned us
that you were coming.

At least we would've swept
the yard better.

- Cousin, you look well.
- Thank you.

There are stories to tell.

So you are going to Nsukka
to marry Odenigbo, Sister?

I don't know about marriage yet,
but I want to be closer to him.

And I want to teach.

The way you describe him,
you had better not wait!

(Odenigbo) 'A special woman
is arriving this weekend.'

Very special.

Make sure the house is clean.
I'll order the food from the staff club.

But, sah, I can cook.

She likes her rice a certain way.
Fried rice, I think.

I'm not sure you can make
something suitable.

I can make that, sah.
Let me make the rice.

And you get the chicken
from the staff club.

Artful negotiation.

All right, you make the rice.

- Did you go to school?
- Standard two, sah.

- But I learn everything fast.
- Standard two? How long ago?

Many years now, sah.
But I learn everything very fast.

- Why did you stop school?
- My father's crops failed, sah.

Why didn't your father find someone
to lend him your school fees?

Sah?

I will enrol you
in the staff primary school.

Yes, sah. Thanks, sah.

I suppose you'll be the oldest,
starting standard three at your age.

But the only way to get their respect
is to be the best. Understand me?

Yes, sah.

- What's your name again?
- Ugwu, sah.

Ugwu...

Yes. Call me Odenigbo.

Sah?

My name is not "Sah".
Call me Odenigbo.

It's quite tasteless.

Which is better than bad-tasting,
of course.

I'll show you how
to cook rice properly, Ugwu,

without using so much oil.

- Ugwu told me he could cook rice.
- He can't.

My God.

Quick, drink coke.

(Sexual moans)

You should eat first.
Ugwu is making a stew.

I know what I want to eat.

So, what happened here?

Your older books are
in the second bedroom.

I needed the space for my books.

- Why can't they go to your flat?
- Because I want them here.

You've really moved in, haven't you?

(Knocking at door)

(Ugwu) We have visitors, sah.

- Can't they leave?
- (Man) Odenigbo!

- I can't wait for them to meet you.
- (Man) Is she here? Come out, now!

Stay just a little longer.

(Man) Ugwu, go and fetch your master.
Tell him to come out now.

My friends. This, finally, is Olanna.

How are you?

You must be Lara Adebayo.
Faculty of Medicine?

Yes. He did not tell us
you were illogically beautiful.

- I will take that as a compliment.
- And what a proper English accent.

I'm Okeoma. I thought Odenigbo's
girlfriend was a human being.

- He didn't tell us you a water mermaid.
- Thank you.

- Victor Patel. Nice to see you finally.
- Olanna.

- And what's your discipline?
- Sociology.

Voodoo science! You should've
studied one of the proper sciences.

Didn't the great thinker Hegel
call Africa a land of childhood?

Nobody can take Hegel seriously.
Have you read him closely?

He's funny, he's very funny.

(Knocking at door)

You are the one that is Ugwu.
How are you?

I'm fine, Mama.
Did your journey go well?

Yes. God led us.

- How are you?
- I'm well, Mama.

My son has told me
how well you're doing.

- When will my son be back?
- They will return in the evening.

They said you should rest, Mama,
when you come.

I'm cooking rice and chicken.

Rest?

I have brought ingredients
to make proper soup for my son.

I know you try,
but you are only a boy.

What does a boy know
about real cooking?

Is that not so, Amala?
Does a boy belong in the kitchen?

Mama, no.

You see, Ugwu?
A boy does not belong in the kitchen.

Yes, Mama.

Eh? My son wastes money
on these expensive things.

- Do you not see, Amala?
- Yes, Mama.

Those belong to my madam, Mama.
She brought many things from Lagos.

(Sighs)

- Amala, come and make the cocoyams.
- Yes, Mama.

Mama, welcome! Nno!

I'm Olanna. Did you go well?

- Our journey went well.
- Good afternoon.

Is this Odenigbo's relative from home,
Mama?

Amala helps me in the house.

Come, Mama, let's sit.

You shouldn't bother in the kitchen.
You should rest. Let Ugwu do it.

I want to cook a proper soup
for my son.

Of course, Mama.

At least let me help you, Mama.

I'll go and change.

I hear you did not suck
your mother's breasts.

What?

They say you did not suck
your mother's breasts.

Please go and tell those
who sent you

that you did not see my son.

Tell your fellow witches that
you did not see him! Do you hear me?

Tell them that nobody's medicine
can work on my son.

He will not marry
an abnormal woman,

unless you kill me first.

Only over my dead body!

Mama...

Don't "mama" me.
I said, do not "mama" me.

Leave my son alone.

Go and tell your fellow witches
that you did not see him!

- Neighbours!
- (Ugwu) Mama, will you stay inside?

(Mama) Neighbours!
There is a witch in my son's house!

Neighbours!

Tell your master I've gone to my flat.

(Mama) Neighbours!

I'm so sorry she acted that way.

- I just had to leave.
- No, no. You didn't have to, Nkem.

You should've ignored her, really.

I've decided to talk to Okeoma
about the Labour Strike.

- We have to show support...
- Your mother made a scene.

You're angry, Nkem?

I didn't think you'd take this
so seriously.

You can see my mother
doesn't know what she's doing.

She's just a village woman.

You never talk about your mother.

You've never asked me
to come to Abba with you to visit her.

Stop it, Nkem, it's not
as if I go that often to see her,

and I did ask you the last time
you were going to Lagos. Huh?

- What did you cook?
- Rice.

- Aren't you going to play tennis?
- I thought you would come.

I don't feel up to it.

Why is your mother's behaviour
acceptable

because she's a village woman?

I know village women
who do not behave this way!

My mother's entire life
has been in Abba.

Do you know
what a small bush village that is?

Of course she'll feel threatened by
an educated woman living with her son.

Of course you'd have to be a witch!
It's the only way she can understand it.

- Did you talk to her about this?
- I didn't see the point.

- You didn't see the point?
- I want to catch Okeoma at the club.

Let's discuss this when I get back.

- I'll stay here tonight.
- No.

- What?
- I said no.

What's wrong with you, Olanna?

Go. Go and play your tennis
and don't come back!

Olanna?

Did something happen?

(Olanna) 'Nothing happened.

'I just wanted to say hello,
find out how you are.'

How's Nsukka?
How's your revolutionary lover?

'Odenigbo is fine. Nsukka is fine.'

Richard seems taken by it.

He even seems taken
by the revolutionary, but I forgive him.

'You should come and visit.'

Soon.

You sound rather subdued.

Are you sure nothing's happened?
Out with it, Olanna.

'It's nothing much.
Just a little misunderstanding with...'

- The revolutionary?
- 'No. His mother.

'But there's nothing to it. Really.'

You reek of brandy.

Are you still angry?

Get dressed, we'll go back together.

I will talk to Mama.

No, you don't have to do that.

Stay here.

If you won't marry me...

...let's have a child.

Let's have a child, Nkem.

A little girl... just like you.

We'll call her Obianuju.

Because she will come into a place
where there is plenty.

Or a little boy.

Let's have breakfast in bed.

Or is this one of your Sundays of faith?

I won't go in today.

Good.

Because we have work to do.

We will have a beautiful child, Nkem.

We will have a brilliant child.

(Radio) 'Our enemies are the political
profiteers, the swindlers...'

Nkem! It's happened.
There's been a coup.

Major Nzeogwu is speaking
from Kaduna.

What's happening in Lagos?

Did they say what's happening
in Lagos?

Your parents are fine.
Civilians are safe.

Operator...

- It's not going through.
- They're fine. It's just for security.

The lines will come back once they've
fully taken control of the government.

(Laughter)

- Those soldiers are true heroes.
- This is the end of corruption.

That's the Finance Minister. He shit
in his trousers before they shot him.

I knew Okonji.
He was a friend of my father's.

The BBC is calling it an Igbo coup.
And they have a point.

It was mostly Northerners
who were killed, after all.

It was mostly Northerners
in government.

The BBC should ask who put
the Northerners in government

to dominate everybody.

If we had more men like Major Nzeogwu,
we would not be where we are today.

- Isn't he a communist?
- (Laughter)

(Odenigbo)
You Americans are so predictable.

Do we have time to worry about that?

(TV Reporter) 'The coup did not
succeed in Lagos itself.

'Those politicians that survived
asked the army to take control.

'And Major General Ironsi, an Igbo,
took over.

'He concentrated authority in Lagos

'and cut down the power of the regions.

'It looked as if the Igbos were
beginning to run the whole country

'and the north was suspicious.'

(Mama singing native song)

My son told me you had gone
to the village to see your mother?

Yes, Mama. Welcome, Mama.
Welcome, Auntie Amala.

Go and rest, Ugwu.
I am preparing my son's dinner.

I will stay in case you need help, Mama.

Do you cook Ofe Nsala well?

- I have never cooked it.
- Why? My son likes it.

My madam has never
asked me to cook it.

"Madam."
She is not your madam, my child.

She's only a woman
who's living with a man

who has not paid her bride price.

Richard, did you say
you were going to Lagos tomorrow?

Yes. Yes, I am.

To give Kainene moral support?

Not quite, Lara.

It's Chief Ozobia's 60th birthday,
and they're having a party at...

See? Richard is a gentleman.

He's going all the way to Lagos
to give Kainene, who doesn't need it,

moral support.

And you, what are you doing

when Olanna has had to rush
to Lagos all by herself?

How's your book coming along?

- (Richard) I'm ploughing on.
- It's a novel, isn't it?

- Yes.
- (Odenigbo) More wine?

Yes, please.

Odenigbo, you're not trying
to get me drunk, are you?

What's it about?

As soon as it's finished,
you'll be the first to read it.

Ugwu, more wine!

Ugwu!

I brought fresh palm wine for my son.

Our best wine-tapper
brought it to me this morning.

Ugwu!

(Mama sings traditional song)

My point is, the only authentic identity
for an African is his tribe.

I am a Nigerian because
the white man created Nigeria

and gave me that identity,
and I am black

because the white man
constructed black

to be as different from his white
as humanly possible.

But I was Igbo
before the white man came.

But you became aware that you were
Igbo because of the white man.

- The Pan-Igbo idea itself...
- Go ask your elders in your village!

The problem is that Odenigbo
is a hopeless tribalist,

we need to keep him quiet.

I will go powder my nose.

Sorry, Richard.

She doesn't look as though
she wants to go home today.

Sure you're not planning
to do something with her?

- Don't talk rubbish.
- Nobody in Lagos would know.

Look, look, look.

- I know you're not interested in her.
- I'm not. And that's that.

(Thunder rumbling)

(Sexual moans)

I can't wait for Tuesday.

I can't wait either.

Tell Ugwu to air the rug
in the bedroom.

- 'Why?'
- Why what?

'Why do you want the rug
in the bedroom aired?'

Because it hasn't been aired
for some time.

You sound so glum.
Are you all right?

'Oh, my mother is here.
I had no idea she was coming.'

- Will she be gone before Tuesday?
- 'I don't know.

- 'I wish you were here.'
- Well, I'm glad I'm not.

Did you have a conversation with her

about breaking the spell
of the educated witch?

'I'll talk to her, Nkem...

'I'm sorry.

'I'm so sorry.'

- Richard.
- Yes, dear?

You were in Nsukka two days ago.
You saw the revolutionary.

Did you notice
anything unusual about him?

Was he anything other
than his smug, self-righteous self?

I'm not waiting till Tuesday.
I'm leaving for home today.

Olanna, do you want me
to come with you?

Let me come with you.

No.

(Knocking)

Nkem?

Nkem. What a pleasant surprise.

It's good to have you back.
So good.

- Good afternoon, Mama.
- Olanna, how are you?

Mama and Amala are just leaving.
I'm taking them to the motor park.

Amala, how are you?
I didn't know you came too.

Have you got your things?
Come on, let's go.

- Have you eaten, Mama?
- My morning meal is still in my stomach.

- I have a game scheduled for later.
- Amala?

- I hope you ate something.
- Yes, Auntie, thank you.

Let's go.

Give Amala the key
to put things in the car.

OK.

- Go well.
- (Mama) Hm-mm.

(Ugwu) Mah, will you eat?
Should I warm rice?

Not now.

Go and see if any avocados are ripe.

Yes, ma'am.

Did anything happen?

Yes. Yes, indeed.

One of my students missed the last test,

and this morning he tried
to offer me money to pass him,

the ignoramus.

I didn't know Amala came with Mama.

Yes.

You touched Amala?

You touched Amala?

Olanna...

Olanna.

(Phone rings)

(Phone continues ringing)

Nkem?

Nkem?

Nkem, please open. Please!

(Frantic knocking)

Nkem!

Nkem, please open!

Please open, Nkem.

Nkem!

Nkem, please. Please open!

(Knocking)

Nkem!

I was drunk, Nkem.

I was drunk,
and Amala forced herself on me!

It was brief... rash... lust.

It meant nothing, Nkem, nothing!

Get out.

I think I'm going to postpone
my programme at Nsukka

and stay here in Kano.

No.Mbà.

You will go back to Nsukka.

I can't just go back to his house, Auntie.

I am not asking you
to go back to his house.

I said you will go back to Nsukka.

Do you not have your own flat
and your own job?

Odenigbo has done what all men do
and inserted his penis

in the first hole he could find
when you were away.

Does that mean somebody died?

When your uncle first married me,

I worried because I thought
all those women outside

were coming to displace me
from my home.

I now know that nothing he would
ever do would make my life change.

My life will change
only if I want it to change.

What are you saying, Auntie?

He is very careful now,

since he realised I'm no longer afraid.

I have told him that if he ever
brings disgrace to me in any way,

I will cut off that snake
between his legs.

You must never behave
as if your life belongs to a man.

Do you hear me?
Your life belongs to you and you alone.

(Speaks Igbo)

You will go back on Saturday.

Let me hurry up and make some
abacha for you to take.

Would you like to read this?

Yes. Thank you.

They have finally removed
that Igbo vice-chancellor

from the University of Lagos,
it's on the back cover.

Oh?

The problem with the Igbo people
is that they want to control everything

in this country, everything.

They own all the shops,
they control the Civil Service,

even the police.

If you are arrested for a crime,
as long as you can say "keda",

they will let you go.

And now, with this coup,
they control the army.

We say "kedu", not "keda".

It means, "How are you?"

- Are you Igbo?
- Yes.

- But you have the face of a Fulani.
- Igbo.

Master looks like somebody
that is crying every day...

- Put my blender in the carton.
- Yes, mah.

Mah, please forgive Master.

- Put the blender in the car.
- Yes, mah.

Do the guests still come
in the evenings?

Not like before, mah,
when you were around.

- But they still come?
- Yes.

And your master still plays tennis
and goes to the staff club?

Yes.

Good.

- What is it?
- Amala is pregnant.

What?

Mama just came to tell me that
Amala is pregnant with my child.

(Sobs)

Please, let me come in.

Please.

We will do whatever you want.
Whatever you want, let's do it together.

You said it happened just once.

Just once and she got pregnant.

- It was just once.
- Just once, I see.

I told Mama I'd send Amala
to Dr Okonkwo in Enugu.

She said it would be
over her dead body.

She said Amala will have the child
and she will raise the child herself.

Mama planned this thing
from the beginning.

I see now how she made sure
I was dead drunk

before sending Amala to me.

I feel as if I have been dropped
into something that I...

...I don't entirely understand.

Nobody dropped you into anything!

(Sobs)

- I thought it was you.
- Oh!

How are you? Are you all right?

I'm very well.

I can't decide whether to get
the Bordeaux or the Burgundy.

Can I help?

Why don't I buy both
and if you'll share them with me,

we can decide which is better.

Can you spare an hour? Or do you
have to run back to your writing?

I would hate to impose on you, really.

Of course you wouldn't be imposing.

Besides, you've never visited me...

...in my flat.

You really must write about the horrific
things the British did in Kenya.

Didn't they cut off testicles?

- Didn't they?
- Yes.

You should write about it then.

- Do you have a title for your book?
- "The Basket of Hands."

"The Basket of Hands"...
Sounds macabre.

It's about labour.
The good things we achieved.

The railways, for example, but...

...also how labour was exploited

and the lengths
the colonial enterprise went to.

- My glass isn't quite empty.
- No, it's not.

Come and sit on the floor with me.

I should leave.

( ♪ EARTHA KITT: "Santa Baby")

♪...Santa Baby, and fill my stocking
with a duplex and cheques

♪ Sign your "X" on the line,
Santa Baby... ♪

Do you want anything, mah?

These look very well.
Did you use fertiliser?

- Yes, mah.
- And on the peppers?

Yes, mah. Mah?

Mama used bad medicine
on my master, mah.

Rubbish!

(Door opens and closes)

(Muffled sexual moans)

Let's get married.

Mama will leave us alone then.

I slept with Richard.

No.

Yes.

Do you have feelings for the man?

No.

You have no feelings for him, then why?

Olanna?

(Door slams)

(Horn blaring)

(Tyres screech)

Is your master in?

- Is your master in?
- (Richard) Thank you, Harrison.

I want you to stay away from my house!
Do you understand me?

Stay away!

Are we still trying to have a child?

Of course we are.

Or aren't we?

Get me some brandy, my good man.

Give that to Odenigbo.
Tell him Amala has refused to touch her.

Mama doesn't want to keep the baby.

There's a young man
doing timber work in Ondo

that Amala is to marry.

Mama doesn't want to keep the baby?

She wanted a boy.

I've spoken to Amala's people.

We've agreed that
the baby will stay with them.

I'll go to Abba next week
to see them and discuss...

We'll keep her.

Our relationship is the most
important thing to me, Nkem.

We have to make
the right decision for us.

You weren't thinking
about our relationship

when you got her pregnant.

Let's think about this.

- How noble of you.
- I'm not being noble.

- Will you adopt her formally?
- Yes, I think so.

What will you tell her?

- What will I tell her?
- Yes, when she's older.

The truth...
that Amala is her mother.

And I'll have her call me
Mummy Olanna or something,

so that if Amala ever comes back,
she can be Mummy.

You're doing this
to please the revolutionary.

- I'm not.
- Why are you doing it then?

She was so helpless.

I felt as if I knew her.

I think this is a very brave decision.

(Olanna) Will you come back
for her christening?

Yes. Of course, I will.

- This is excellent, Harrison.
- Thank you, madam.

He doesn't deserve you, you know.

This tart tastes better than the one
I had the last time I was in London.

Thank you, madam.

My master is telling me that everybody
in Mr Odenigbo's house says the same.

You made it for them?

I used to make it for my master
to take there,

but I'm not making anything again
for Mr Odenigbo's house

since that time
he's shouting at my master.

Shouting like a madman
and the whole street is hearing.

The man's head is not correct.

I hope you won't say, "Forgive me."

There is nothing more trite.

Please don't leave.

Leave? That would be too easy,
wouldn't it?

- I'm sorry, Kainene.
- It would be forgivable

if it were somebody else not my sister!

I am so sorry.

You should sleep in the guest room.

Yes. Yes, of course.

(TV) 'In May, Major General Ironsi
abolished the regions by decree.

'This was the last straw for the north.

'There were riots and Ironsi's regime
fell after barely six months.

'At Ibadan, among northern troops,
he was killed.

'Looting, rioting, ambushing
left thousands of Igbos dead.

'Northerners took advantage
of the confusion

'to work off their long pent up anger
at the economic success of the Igbos

'who migrated into their own region.'

Anything to declare, sir?

- No. I'm going on to London.
- OK. Well done, sir.

(Richard) Where are you from?
(Guard) I'm from Obosi.

My fiancée is from Umunnachi,
not far from you.

- Your fiancée, sir?
- Yes. Her name is Kainene.

- You speak Igbo, sir?
- (Replies in Igbo)

You speak...
My name is Nnaemeka.

- Nice talking to you...
- Thank you, sir.

(Man shouting)

We have here
a little technical difficulty!

A small problem that can be
resolved very simply!

(Translates into French)

I want all our foreign visitors
together over here.

(Speaks French)

(Soldier) This way, sir.

Passports!
Bring out your passports!

Where's your passport?

It's at home, sir.
I haven't got it on me here, sir.

- You are Igbo?
- Yes, sir.

- Come, my brother.
- Yes, sir.

(Soldier ♪ 1) Turn the page.
(Soldier ♪ 2) Passports!

Show me your passport!

- Which church you go to?
- I'm Catholic.

You're Catholic? That's nice.
What is the name of the church?

- Saint Dominic's.
- Saint Dominic's, ah...

Listen, just wait for me
a minute over here.

Passport!

(Screaming)

Get up! Come on!

Move! Right now!

(Woman) Please, please.
Please, don't.

OK, line them up!

(Gunshot)

(Screaming and shouting)

(Olanna) Let me out of the car.
Stop the car!

What's happening here?
What's happening?

No, no!

- Madam!
- Auntie!

Auntie!

No! Auntie!

Please, Madam, please.
We have to go!

There's only troubles here.
We have to go.

Murderer!

Get in the car!

You have to get in the car.
Get in the car!

We have to go now, Ma'am.
I'm sorry. We have to go.

Please, please, leave us alone.
Leave us alone.

Sorry, Auntie.

(Sobs)

(TV) 'The Military Governor of
the Eastern Region, Colonel Ojukwu,

'was questioned
about the extent of the killing.'

'I can't give you the total figures,
but this I know,

'that the May 29th rioting

'did in fact take toll

'of some 3,300 easterners
in the north.

'I know that on the first night
of the September rioting...

'...in Zaria alone there were 670.

'In Kano,
definitely over 1,000 to 1,500.'

And what about our university
colleagues in Ibadan and Zaria?

They kept silent while white expatriate
encouraged the killing!

You would be one of them
if you didn't happen to be in Igboland!

- How much sympathy can you have?
- Don't dare say I do not have sympathy!

To say secession is not the only way
to security

doesn't mean I have no sympathy!

Did your uncle die? You're going
back to your people in Lagos,

and nobody will harass you
for being Yoruba.

Is it not your own people
who are killing the Igbos in Lagos?

Didn't your chiefs go north
to thank the emir

for sparing the Yoruba people?
So what are you saying?

How is your opinion relevant?

You insult me, Odenigbo.

Then the truth has become
an insult. Olanna.

This is unacceptable, Odenigbo.
You owe her an apology.

It is not a question of whether or not
I owe her an apology.

It is a question of whether or not
I spoke the truth!

You owe her an apology!

All right, yeah, I will.

(Tuts)

When you are ready, mah,
your food is here.

What did you cook, Ugwu?

I used fresh tomatoes from the garden.

- Has baby eaten?
- Yes, mah. She's playing outside.

(Kainene) 'Is love this misguided need
to have you beside me most of the time?

'Is love this safety I feel
in our silences?

'Is it this belonging,
this completeness?'

Operator, I'd like to make
a trunk call, please. Nigeria.

- 'Charged to yourself, sir?'
- Yes.

'One moment, please.'

(Phone rings)

(Richard) 'Hello? Hello? Kainene?

- 'Is that you Kainene?'
- Hello, Richard.

- How was your cousin's wedding?
- It was fine. Are you all right?

I miss you, Richard.

I'm flying home tomorrow.

- Are you all right?
- Hurry home.

(Cheering and laughter)

♪ This is our beginning

♪ This is our beginning

Don't cry, baby,
you're a Biafran now.

(Ojukwu) '...Military Governor
of Eastern Nigeria,

'by virtue of the authority,

'and pursuant to the principles
recited above,

'do hereby solemnly proclaim

'that the territory and region
known as and called Eastern Nigeria,

'together with her continental shelf
and territorial waters,

'shall henceforth be
an independent sovereign state

'of the name and title
of The Republic of Biafra.'

War is looming.

Port Harcourt is going crazy.

It's the oil.

They can't let us go easily
with all that oil.

There won't be a war.

(Ojukwu) 'If civil war comes,
and I do think it is imminent,

'our people have for a long time
been prepared for this eventuality.

'And I am confident of their readiness.

'I think...

'...that when it does come...

'...the people on the other side
will be surprised...

'...as to what they're going to get.'

(Heavy artillery explosions)

What is that?
Did you hear it? Ugwu!

- What is that? Odenigbo!
- The Federals are advancing.

I think we should plan on leaving today.

(Man) Evacuate! Evacuate now!

- Let's go. Let's go now.
- (Screaming)

Evacuate now.
The Federals have entered Nsukka!

We are evacuating now. Right now.
I am going to all the other houses.

Lock up quick.
Don't forget the Boys' Quarters.

Put a few things together, Nkem.
I'll check the engine.

What things? What will I take?

It won't be for long, we'll be back soon.
Just a few things, clothes.

- I was still cooking.
- Put it in the car.

(Distant explosions)

(Woman screams)

(Distant explosions)

Ugwu!

Ugwu!

I'm fine.
Are you a little early?

Yeah, we finished early because
there's going to be a general meeting

in the square tomorrow.

- Why?
- The elders decided it was time.

There's all kinds of silly rumours
about Abba evacuating soon.

Some ignoramuses even say
the federal troops have entered Awka.

Will you come?

To the meeting? I'm not from Abba.

But you could be, if you married me.

You should be.

- We're fine as we are.
- We're at war.

My mother will have to decide
what will be done with my body

if anything happened to me.

- You should decide that.
- Stop it! Nothing will happen to you.

I know nothing will happen to me.
I just really want you to marry me.

We should marry.

It no longer makes sense.

It never made sense.

You'll have to take wine
to my father, then.

Is that a yes?

Yes. It is a yes.

(Horn blares)

Mum.

I wasn't sure you got my message
about the wedding.

What wedding? Where is he?

Odenigbo? He's at work.

Mum, what is all that for?

I carry them everywhere I go now.
My diamonds are inside my bra.

Nobody knows what's going on.

We are hearing that Umunnachi
is about to fall

and that the Federals are very close by.

The vandals are not close by.

Our troops are driving them
back around Nsukka.

But how long is it taking
to drive them back?

Anyway, your father and I have
finalised our plans.

We have paid somebody
who will take us to Cameroon

and get us a flight
from there to London.

We paid for four places.

Your father's gone
to Port Harcourt to tell Kainene.

You know I won't go.

But you and daddy should go,
if it'll make you feel safer.

I'll stay with Odenigbo and Baby.
We'll be fine.

We are going to Umuahia soon
for him to start work at the Directorate.

What's that?

The Directorate of Labour
and Manpower.

As soon as Nsukka is recovered,
though, we're going back.

But what if Nsukka is not recovered?
What if this war drags on and on?

It won't!

How can I leave my children
and run to safety?

We'll be fine, Mum.

You can still change your mind,
the four places are paid for.

Wedding? What wedding?

Good evening, Mama.

Odenigbo's not back yet.

Smoking is bad for you, Mama.

That may be so, my daughter,

but I am too old
to die young from smoking.

Is my grand-daughter well?

Baby is well.

- She's inside, asleep.
- That's good.

I have not come to see Odenigbo.

It is you, my daughter,
that I have come to see.

Supposing Odenigbo's cousin,
Aniekwena,

were to take wine to your father,
how would you feel?

- I am asking...
- I know what you're asking, Mama.

If you would marry my son.

But why, Mama?

What has changed about me?

Did Odenigbo put you up to this?

Did he come to you
on his way home last night?

Did he tell you
that he was going to ask me?

I have not seen my son
in three days, my daughter.

Will you marry Odenigbo?

Yes.

Yes, I will marry Odenigbo.

It's too good to be true, don't you think?
Where's the catch?

There's no catch, Nkem.

It's Mama's way of saying sorry.

We are ready to go, Odenigbo,

and your mother has refused
to pack her things and come.

Mama? I thought we agreed
you are going to Uke.

Hm-mm. Don't say that!
You told me that we have to run,

that it is better that I go to Uke.

But did you hear me agree?

Did I say 'oh' to you?

You want to come with us
to Umuahia, then?

But why are you running?
Where are you running to?

Can you hear any guns?

Mama, people are fleeing
Abagana and Ukpo,

which means the Hausa soldiers
are close and will soon enter Abba.

Who am I running away
from my own house for?

Do you know that your father
will be cursing us now?

We are going to Umuahia soon
for him to start work at the Directorate.

What's that?

I am leaving for Uke.
Send word when you get to Umuahia.

As soon as Nsukka is recovered,
though, we're going back.

I will wait and watch the house.

After you all have run, you will return.
I will be here.

How can I leave my children
and run to safety?

Give me the keys to your house.
I might need things there.

You can still change your mind,
the four places are paid for.

Wedding? What wedding?

Mama...

Come with us.

Please come with us, Mama.

(TV) 'Seven weeks ago Colonel Ojukwu
was on the receiving end

'of a federal police action to prevent

'his pulling the former eastern region

'out of the federation.

'Now, it's a full-scale civil war.'

Where's Baby?
She hasn't gone out to play, has she?

I don't want her getting any dirt
on that dress.

She is in the living room.

I sent a message
to Port Harcourt for Kainene.

She won't come.
I just wanted her to know.

It's still too big.

(Knocking

- Olanna, are you ready?
- Yes, I'm ready. Please come in.

Did you bring the flowers?

What is this?

I wanted fresh flowers, Okeoma.

Nobody grows flowers in Umuahia.
People here grow what they can eat.

I won't hold flowers then.

(Sighs heavily)

(Speaking Igbo)

( ♪ Afrobeat music)

I caught you dancing?

(Speaking Igbo)

( ♪ Fanfare and percussion intro)

(Laughing and whooping)

Hail Biafra!

( ♪ Afrobeat tune plays)

Ah, the cake.

Come with me now.

Was it you?

Come on, get some.

Everybody, I want you together.
OK, let's do one, two...

(Screaming and shouting)

(Aircraft overhead)

(Odenigbo) Okeoma! Okeoma!

No!

No!

(Baby) Mummy!

Enunciate. Ike, you say it.

(Ike) Setru.

Ah, "set-tle".

"Set-tle".
The word has no R in it.

OK, let's try...

(Ugwu) B for?
(Children) Ball.

- C for?
- Cat.

- D for?
- Dog.

- E for?
- Egg.

Mama...

Come with us.

- H for?
- House.

(TV) 'Seven weeks ago Colonel Ojukwu
was on the receiving end

I have to bury
what the vultures left behind.

- Sah...
- Yes, yes, yes.

'Out of the federation.

(Car starts)

Where's Baby?
She hasn't gone out to play, has she?

I don't want her getting any dirt
on that dress.

What am I going to do?

Why are you using the kerosene stove?
Are you stupid?

Haven't I told you
to save our kerosene?

But, mah, you said
I should cook Baby's food.

I did not say that!
Go outside and light a fire!

Do you know how much
kerosene costs?

Just because you don't pay
for the things you use

does not mean
you can use them as you like?

Is firewood itself not a luxury
where you come from?

Sorry, mah.

His mother is dead.

They shot her in Abba.

The Biafran soldiers at the roadblocks
kept asking me to turn back.

So I parked the car, hid it,
and began to walk.

Finally, one Biafran officer...

...cocked his gun...

...told me he would shoot me...

...and save the vandals the trouble
if I didn't turn around.

I'm fine, Nkem.

I'm fine.

I hear there's a lot of free sex here,
but the girls got some kind of disease.

The Bonny disease?

Guess you guys gotta be careful
what you bring back home.

This refugee camp is run by my wife.

- Really? How long she been here?
- She's Biafran.

- Do you speak Igbo pretty well?
- Yes.Kedu.

There is food in São Tomé

crawling with cockroaches
because there's no way to bring it in.

Would it be all right
if I gave you some letters?

To my wife's parents in London.

We'll get something better soon.

(Sobs)

(Knocking)

- Welcome.Nno.
- Thank you.

I live down the corridor.
Your husband is not here?

He's still at work.

I wanted to see him
before the others do.

It is about my children.
Three of them have asthma.

- Asthma?
- The landlord called him "Doctor".

Oh!

No, he has a doctorate.

He's a doctor of books,
not a doctor for sick people.

Oh...

Erm... there is a woman
in a car asking for you.

Kainene?

I went to your old house
and somebody told me to come here.

Our landlord kicked us out.

Come in.

Sit down.

So, how have you been?

Things were normal
until Port Harcourt fell.

I was an army contractor, and I had
a licence to import stock fish.

I'm in Orlu now. I'm in charge
of a refugee camp there.

Oh...

Are you silently condemning me
for profiteering from the war?

Somebody had to import the stockfish.

No, no, I wasn't thinking that.

You were.

I was so worried
when Port Harcourt fell.

- I sent messages.
- Yes, you said you were teaching.

Do you still?
Your noble win-the-war effort?

The school's a refugee centre now.

Sometimes I teach children
in the yard.

And how's the revolutionary husband?

He's still with the Manpower Directorate.

You don't have a wedding photo.

There was an air raid
during our reception, and...

I came to give you this.
Mum sent it through a British journalist.

I also brought two dresses for Baby.

A woman who came
back from São Tomé

had some good children's clothes
for sale.

- You bought clothes for Baby?
- How shocking, indeed.

It's about time
the girl began to be called Chiamaka.

- This Baby business is tiresome.
- (Giggles)

Will you drink some water?
It's all we have.

No, no, I'm fine.

Yes, please.

I'd like that.

I thought about
changing your money for you.

But you can do it at the bank
and then deposit, can't you?

Haven't you seen all the bomb craters
around the bank?

- My money's staying under my bed.
- Make sure the cockroaches don't get it.

Life is harder for them these days.

I'll come on Wednesday.

- Will you drive?
- No. Look, it's not that far.

Greet the revolutionary for me.

Madam.
I am bringing drinks?

The way he goes on,
you'd think we had a grand cellar

in this half-built house
in the middle of nowhere.

- Madam?
- No, Harrison, don't bring drinks.

We're leaving now.
Remember, lunch for three.

Yes, Madam.

(Kainene) Harrison is the most
pretentious peasant I have ever seen.

- I know you don't like the word peasant.
- No.

- (Kainene) But he is, you know.
- We're all peasants!

(Kainene) Are we?
It's the sort of thing Richard would say.

Odenigbo too.

Grandfather used to say about
difficult things he had gone through,

"It didn't kill me,
it made me knowledgeable."

I remember.

There are some things
that are so unforgivable...

...that they make other things
easily forgivable.

'At precisely half past one every day,
they come over the town

'as the market place is full,

'as patients are sitting out

'on the lawns at hospitals.

'Here comes the next one.

'He's flying the other side of the Mission
Church. Sweeping to the right.

'Strafing the ground as they move.

'Dropping incendiary bombs
and fragmentation bombs

'in the market places around here.'

♪ We are sure to win the war
We are sure, we are sure... ♪

(Reporter)
'The war was going quite badly.

'In desperation, Ojukwu mobilised
the country's Boys' Brigade

'to raise morale by showing
a new generation was training

'to take its place at the front line.'

(Ojukwu)
'Fight on, brave boys, fight on!

'Heroes of our fatherland

'pursue the enemy,
harass him, destroy the invader.

'March on, brave boys,
now that victory is in sight.'

You! Stop there! Stop there!

(Gunshot)

Stand up, stand up,
you bloody civilian!

Join them there. Join them there.

Inside the van!

My sister, hold your head,
be strong.

Ugwu has died.

Ugwu was with the field engineers,
and they suffered massive casualties.

Only a few came back.

Come with me. Bring Chiamaka.

Come and stay in Orlu. Olanna!

Have you drunk enough, eh?

Ugwu has died.

Do you hear me? Ugwu has died.

Drink and don't stop! Drink!

Ugwu has died!

(Sobs)

(Explosion)

(Explosion)

(Gunfire)

(Screaming)

Get the boxes.
Leave the clothes.

Baby.

- Odenigbo.
- We'll take this one. OK.

(Explosions and gunfire)

(Engine stalls)

Odenigbo!

Start walking!
I'll catch you up when the car starts.

If we are walking, we'll walk together!

(Engine starts)

(Screaming)

Stop it! Stop it right now.
Leave him alone.

Leave him alone!

- (Woman) He's a thief!
- He's not a thief. Do you hear me?

He is not a thief! He is a hungry soldier.

Have you come from the front?

Are you running?
Have you deserted?

Come. Come and have some
garri before you go.

We're here
until we find a place to rent.

Harrison, bring some more
palm oil for Chiamaka.

What an interesting beard.
Are you trying to copy His Excellency?

I never try to copy anyone.

Of course.
I'd forgotten how original you are.

Harrison roasted a fantastic
bush rat for us last week.

But you would've thought
it was a rack of lamb

the way he went on about it.

(Ojukwu on radio) '...border towns and
zones they've captured by treachery.

'Our people are determined
to fight to the last man,

'confident of eventual success.

'May God bless you all,
fellow Biafrans,

'and keep and protect Biafra.'

(Kainene) A convertible
would be lovely.

What do you think accounts
for the success

of the white man's mission in Africa,
Richard?

The success?

Yes, the success. I think in English.

Perhaps you should first account
for the failure of the black man

to curb the white man's mission.

Who brought racism into the world?

I don't see your point.

The white man brought racism
into the world.

He used it as the basis of conquest.

It's always easier to conquer
a more humane people.

So, when we conquer the Nigerians,
we will be less humane?

I've got some Nigerian coins.

I want to go to Ninth Mile
and see what I can buy.

If that goes well, I will sell some
of the things our people have made.

That's trading with the enemy.

It's trading with illiterate Nigerian
women who have what we need.

It's dangerous, Kainene.

That sector is free.
Our people are trading freely there.

- You're going too?
- No.

At least not tomorrow.
Maybe the next time Kainene goes.

- Tomorrow?
- Yes, Kainene is going tomorrow.

Yes.

But don't mind Olanna,
she will never come with me.

She's always been terribly frightened
of honest free enterprise.

Ninth Mile Road has been
occupied on and off.

- I don't think you should go.
- It's all decided.

I leave tomorrow morning,
and I'll be back by evening.

We need to eat.

You'll leave early won't you, Richard?
Those big men in Ahiara

- may be in the office just 30 minutes.
- I'll leave in an hour.

Just tell them I'm dying
and we desperately need

milk and corned beef
to keep me alive.

I will.

(She sighs heavily)

Go well.

(Speaks Igbo)

(Baby) Uncle Richard!

Uncle Richard, carry me!

You're a big girl now, Baby.
You're too heavy to be picked up.

Baby has grown wiser but she hasn't
grown taller since the war started.

Better wisdom than height.

- No luck at Ahiara?
- No, I tried everywhere.

The relief centres are empty.
Is Kainene at the camp?

She's still not back
from Ninth Mile.

(Baby giggles)

- Is Kainene back?
- Not yet.

Excuse me?

- Have you seen this woman?
- No.

(Richard) Hello.
Have you seen this woman?

Thank you.

Why are you crying?

Kainene is just stuck
on the other side for a few days.

Stop! Stop!

(Ojukwu on radio) 'In accord
with my own frequent affirmations

'that I would personally go anywhere

'to secure peace and security
for my people...'

(Phone rings)

'...I am now travelling out of Biafra
to explore with our friends

'all these proposals further and fully.'

Yes?

Right. Thank you.

(Olanna) Is it Kainene?

Has something happened?

- Ugwu is alive.
- Oh, God.

Oh, God.

(Horn beeps)

They said I was dead, mah?

Your battalion thought you had died
during the operation.

Where's Auntie Kainene?

(Reporter) 'General Ojukwu, who led
the Biafran cessation in Nigeria,

'is on his way to seek
political asylum in the Ivory Coast.

'He is said to have with him
3,000 pounds of luggage

'and his Mercedes-Benz car.'

'I, Major General Philip Effiong,

'officer administering the government
of The Republic of Biafra,

'now wish to make
the following declaration...'

- Did you find her?
- No.

Where's the car?
Did the soldiers take it?

The fuel finished on the road.
I will find fuel and go back and get it.

(Woman) Thank God! War is over!
(Woman ♪2) Peace is here!

(Laughter and cheering)

(Effiong on radio)
'...we are loyal Nigerian citizens

'and accept that the Republic of Biafra
hereby ceases to exist.'

I'm going to find Kainene
in the towns outside Ninth Mile.

(Olanna) Wait until morning, Richard.
(Odenigbo) You have fuel?

Enough to get me to Ninth Mile
if I roll down slopes.

(Engine revs)

(Car recedes into distance)

(Richard) Kainene...

Excuse me,
have you seen this woman?

- Her name's, Kainene.
- No, I've not seen her.

Will Auntie Kainene
come to Nsukka?

Yes. Yes, my Baby.