Love is War: A feminist approach.

By Oparah Goodness.

Movie: Love is War(2019)

Cast: Omoni Oboli, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Shaffy Bello, Jide Kosoko, Akin Lewis, Toke Makinwa, Yemi Blaq

Director: Omoni Oboli

Screen writter: Chinaza Onuzo

Production houses: Chinaza Onuzo inkblot Productions and Omoni Oboli’s Dioni Visions Entertainment

Language: English

Running time: 1:51:22

Now showing: Netflix

                           SYNOPSIS
Political circumstances and personal agreements turn couple into running mates of the Ondo state governorship election. Hankuri Philips and her husband, Dimeji Philips decide she wins and also reach a ‘no direct attack’ deal on themselves during rallies and campaigns. As the story excels, unknowingly to Dimeji, his wife is indirectly linked with murdering herdsmen case by his campaign organization which she takes personal and that makes her more determined to win elections since her husband was a puppet in the hands of his godfather’s and campaign manager’s. Dimeji’s party (WDP) keeps on hitting his wife’s party (PPM) and the height of it was buying the support of the Teachers and Transport Union. Only then did Hankuri ask for a Governorship debate to prove she is a better candidate than her husband, things fell apart as 20 year old family seceret is revealed publicly portraying her as a better candidate which almost costs her her husband’s life and brings her allegations of an attempted murder on her husband. She finally emerges as the first female governor in Ondo state after her husband’s campaign organization has been charged for attempted murder.

Hankuri Philips in one of her campaigns.
TRUE FEMINISM IN LOVE IS WAR.
The movie ‘Love is War’ has excelled in displaying unique traits of feminism, women politics, love and family and combining them into a well themed story.
The character of Hankuri Philips (Omoni Oboli) symbolizes a true feminist who believes in the ‘social, economic and political equality of the sexes’. Every scene reveals Hankuri’s aura as fierce and unapologetically female.
Hankuri Philips with Senator Akenrele.
I’m glad women are shown for good and impactful reasons and not portrayed as stupid or for the sake of ‘looked-at-ness’ which sometimes make women appear nude or half nude thereby attracting the preying eyes of some of the male folks. The costumeirs did a very good job to make the women especially Hankuri Philips dress decently beautiful and gorgeous.
The fact women like Hankuri and others shared better screen appearances alongside the men proved that women can also be seen and heard too especially in male dominated socio-political domain. I really wish the Ondo state First Lady had more screen appearances and at least spoken to the people even if it was during Hankuri’s rallies since her husband was in support of Hankuri and it would really throw more light to what it means when women support women rather than just sit and be seen as a First Lady.  We all can agree that Nigerian governorship elections have more male candidates and probably one or two female candidates. What I’m saying in essence is that the Philips should have had more running mates from different parties cause it is unrealistic to have just two candidates running for a whole state’s governorship election.

The role embodiment of Dimeji(RMD) as a supportive husband really suit him well as he sacrifices his win so his wife’s political ambitions as the first female Governor would be accomplished. Hankuri is sure every man’s kind of ideal woman, who chases her career but never forgets to care for her family and other aspects of her life.

The show of true feminism is also portrayed when Senator Akenrele(Shaffy Bello) helps Hankuri to be a candidate from the majority party that produced the Governor so as to increase her chance of winning.
Senator Akenrele in one of the visits with Hankuri Philips.
Despite the fact the couple became running mates they tried maintain their love for each other, the few times their ambitions had better parts of them they realized in the end that their love for each other have to always win even though it’s at war.
Omoni Oboli can be rightfully classified as an auteur director, you all can agree with me that her films always fight for women rights and bring them out to the limelight where they can not only be seen but heard also. The absence of Hankuri’s Deputy Governor during rallies and campaigns really cracked me up! Was it a pay back for all the times women were always seen but always absent when it was time to be heard?

Conclusively, if this entertaining and didatic movie does not raise your dead political dreams as a woman or inspires you as a man to make a supportive husband then you are on a long thing.