Mike Omonua’s debut feature The Man Who Cuts Tattoos will premiere at the prestigious British Film Institute (BFI) London Film Festival under Dare (a section for provocating and arresting stories). The film, produced by Omonua’s Surreal16 Collective comrade, Abba Makama, follows the stories of two young women, from different generations, and the sacrifices they make for love.
“To mark the beginning of adulthood and prepare for marriage, a young girl in an Edo village must undergo a painful rite of passage through scarification. The agony she endures for a loving union finds her questioning the process. Sometime in the future, unencumbered by the traditions that exist in present-day Lagos, Michelle questions her tumultuous relationship with boyfriend America.
Having recently found out she’s pregnant, with America pushing her towards abortion and with her job on the line, Michelle also considers the sacrifices that are made for love.”
Watch the BFI trailer for The Man Who Cuts Tattoos below.
The Man Who Cuts Tattoos paints a beautiful portrait of provincial life in Edo state and connects old cultural practices to modern love. The film stars Omowunmi Dada, Itohan Igbinidu, Valerie Dish and Duke Elvis. It will screen on the 8th and 9th of October, 2019 at BFI Southbank and Vue West End respectively.