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Short Shots – African Booty Scratcher
I haven’t done one of these in awhile… Short shots! This installment is from 26-year old writer/director Nikyatu Jusu, an NYU MFA candidate in her final year. Nikyatu was born in Atlanta, GA to Sierra Leonean immigrant parents. I mention that fact partly because it’s relevant to the story within her short film featured below, titled, African Booty Scratcher, which won Nikyatu a Director’s Guild Honorable Mention, and an HBO Short Film Award, where it screened. She was a scheduled guest on the Shadow & Act Livecast, about a month ago, but, scheduling conflicts prevented her from participating. However, I’ll have her on eventually. The synopsis: “Prom nears and things seem to be spiraling out of control for the typically composed Isatu. In this coming of age story, West African tradition conflicts with American idealism, and Isatu is forced to reassess her alliances.” The short film follows below after the break…
12 comments to Short Shots – African Booty Scratcher |
  
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Well done! Simple yet effective and evocative.
Good performances all around.
Looking forward to Nikyatu’s upcoming work.
I’m working on a project that deals with the struggles between African Americans and Africans everywhere else it seems. This reminds me of a subplot I have in my film. This is a relationship that needs to be discussed more and I like how she touched on that in that one scene in the mother’s restaurant.
This could easily be turned into a feature. Good luck.
I didn’t check the credits but are the mother and daughter real life mother and daughter? They look so alike.
Good short though.
Thanks so much for the comments people. It surprises me that so many people could see this as a feature film–I really was thinking quite small when i made ABS. I have more work coming quite soon. Check my blog and website for more updates–www.nikyatu.com
And the mother daughter duo are not related–i just got lucky! ; )
Not only to I agree that this could be a feature but I think that the film actually suffers from being too short… So many aspects get touched on and have to be handled and dismissed way too quickly– there’s plenty of story and character just in a dozen minutes that could be fleshed out and solidified over ninety… Congratulations on the accolades as they’re all deserved, and I hope this is just a step in a limitless direction for you, Nikyatu…
I like the soft, natural touches all around. You almost forget that you’re watching a film.
An auspicious start for the filmmaker. Good luck! There aren’t enough black women telling stories about black women, and your voice is necessary.
I loved this and being nigerian born and raised in the U.S. I can relate to a lot of this. I agree with the other comments this could be a feature. I also loved that you used you’ll find a way by santogold in the beggining. Ironically I have some jollof rice in my fridge right now.
Mmmm… Jollof… it’s been awhile… tell me there’s a lot of meat to go with it
It would make a nice companion piece to that neo african americans documenatary you posted some time ago. In fact I think the director of the neo african americans piece should think about using shorts like this one to help market his film in a way. There is a connection that can be exploited.
Does the filmmaker consider herself in those terms, as a ‘neo african american?’
You should feature more shorts on this site. I like watching them. I don’t think shorts get the credit they deserve even though it’s just as hard to create a good short as it is to create a feature.
I appreciate that the mother took some responsibility for her children’s “Americanization.” My parents came to Canada when I was very young and we haven’t been back “home” since, and we left many of our traditions and customs behind so that we could fit in. But what they don’t seem to understand is how much of an impact all that had on me as a child. And instead they blame me for not being “African” enough. Some of it is my cross to bear, if I can even say that, but some of it is their’s as well and I want them to acknowledge that. So I appreciate the scene where the mother says something like “I spoiled you children.” That was an admittance on her part that she had a hand in what they’ve become as young adults.
Sorry I didnt plan on making this a forum for my own problems
But seeing the short resonated with me because I’ve been through similar situations growing up.
I’m curious though how the film was received, especially by black Americans. I saw it on HBO initially and I remember having a conversation with a friend of mine who was born and raised in the west who said that he thought it could be perceived as anti-black America in a way, which I thought was b.s. But I can’t dismiss his own reality. If that’s what he sees then that’s what he sees.
What a great short! This is what filmmaking is all about. This director is going far.
A fabulous short, I remember seeing it on BETJ’s short film competition. Congrats and best wishes Nikyatu