'The Supreme Price' is a powerful documentary by Joanna Lipper, chronicling the turbulent history of Nigeria since independence from the British in 1960. This film follows the evolution and struggles of the pro-democracy movement, set against successive military dictatorships which have been a repressive constant since independence.
Hafsat Abiola is the beacon for the pro-democracy movement, an activist born into the family of the revered businessman and philanthropist M.K.O. Abiola. Using archival footage over many decades, Hafsat's life is full of sadness and mistrust. In 1993, her father made history by being fairly elected as president, only to be ousted by yet another military coup. He was imprisoned, and died mysteriously in his cell a couple of years later. His wife Kudirat Abiola, became the leader of the pro-democracy movement in her husbands absence, only to be assassinated herself. The murderers have still not been brought to justice.
Hafsat's personal setbacks have only served to carry on the good work of her parents and the pro-democracy movement. She created Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND), an NGO focusing on female empowerment to promote a democratic Nigeria. She states "any society that silences it's women, has no future.", a rallying cry which is more than enough to stir her emotions into actions.
'The Supreme Price' is only 75 minutes long, and is seen better as an introduction into Nigerian politics since independence. Lipper uses Abiola's family struggles as a mirror of Nigeria's problems, of outdated social practices, ignorant religious structures and beliefs passed down from generation to generation, blighting any real socio-political progress. Its an uphill task when your own brother won't accept her as a future president.
At times, it seems Hafsat has to shoulder the burden of Nigeria's problems herself, but hers is a growing movement with men and women ready to fight for real freedoms. She is a symbol of their hopes and dreams that change will happen, and 'The Supreme Price' shows the power film can have in galvanising a country into social change.
Hafsat Abiola is the beacon for the pro-democracy movement, an activist born into the family of the revered businessman and philanthropist M.K.O. Abiola. Using archival footage over many decades, Hafsat's life is full of sadness and mistrust. In 1993, her father made history by being fairly elected as president, only to be ousted by yet another military coup. He was imprisoned, and died mysteriously in his cell a couple of years later. His wife Kudirat Abiola, became the leader of the pro-democracy movement in her husbands absence, only to be assassinated herself. The murderers have still not been brought to justice.
Hafsat's personal setbacks have only served to carry on the good work of her parents and the pro-democracy movement. She created Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND), an NGO focusing on female empowerment to promote a democratic Nigeria. She states "any society that silences it's women, has no future.", a rallying cry which is more than enough to stir her emotions into actions.
'The Supreme Price' is only 75 minutes long, and is seen better as an introduction into Nigerian politics since independence. Lipper uses Abiola's family struggles as a mirror of Nigeria's problems, of outdated social practices, ignorant religious structures and beliefs passed down from generation to generation, blighting any real socio-political progress. Its an uphill task when your own brother won't accept her as a future president.
At times, it seems Hafsat has to shoulder the burden of Nigeria's problems herself, but hers is a growing movement with men and women ready to fight for real freedoms. She is a symbol of their hopes and dreams that change will happen, and 'The Supreme Price' shows the power film can have in galvanising a country into social change.
