Oops! I drifted away from what I ventured out to do-the programme critique to being preachy as if... But that's done (and i feel great, not Afrocentric per se) back to business.
Mother-in law:
This show writen by Naomi Kamau has gained tremendous popularity over time. it's main target is the family. I believe it cuts across audiences. One may argue that it targets married couples, another person may say it targets the single people getting ready to venture the world of marriage, some one else may also say that it is meant primarily for mothers-in law or parent's in law, or even for parents of grown married children. But I say, its for all of these categories of peopla and more. Youth can fit in here-grab some important tips on what to expect in their marriages, more so, it does not align to any particular ethnic society or religion in Kenya, allowing for diversity to be embraced. No wonder the the great number of fans it has.
The actors and actresses are seasoned and very comfortable with their roles while the characters they play turn the 30-minute episodes into chunks of televised bliss…
The main actors and actresses in Mother-in law are: Charity-the mother-in law who loves to stress her daughters in law claiming it is out of love for them, their husbands and her grand-children; Mwambo-the father-in law, a rather calm and collected old man whom Charity often despises; Alison a head-strong young woman married to one of Mother-in law's sons Jack. Alison seems to be the one daugther in law who manages Charity's sturboness and meaness well; Celina married to Charlie one of the sons; Robert one of the sons (was living in the USA and is now back) married to Lisa, and then there is Sandra, a wife to a member of parliament and landlady of some apartments-she likes to be nosy and gossips quite some.
Set in urban Kenyan city of Nairobi, Mother-in law offers a good insight into the complexity of extended family life. The conflict between Charity (the mother-in-law) and her daughters-in-law especially Alison clearly portrays the volatile and often unbearable relationship between in-laws. But I ask myself, "Is there a positive side to mother-in law's behaviour?" Viewers although like her, seem to say, "Hey shosh!!wee ni mharsh sana"!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hellen, your critique is now getting closer to screenwriting principles. However, I'd love to read more on your view on the 4Ps and other scripting principles. Are you able to identify the inciting incident, turning points, climax, resolution etc in each episode. How about the dialogue and characterisation? Relate to what you've learnt in COM 364.
ReplyDelete