Movie spotlight
Phyllis
Phyllis is a moving and atmospheric portrait of a ‘psychic’ vampire, a woman obsessed with synthetic Nollywood dramas, that lives alone in Lagos, Nigeria. The central idea of this short experimental film is the practise and significance of wig-wearing in Nollywood film; a practise the director has invested with deeper psychological as well as science-fiction layers. Underpinning this central idea however is a critique of the unforgiving treatment of single women in Nollywood and Nigeria. The film is an example of what the director, Zina Saro-Wiwa, has termed “alt-Nollywood”, a genre that plays with and reworks certain narrative, stylistic and visual conventions of Nollywood. Phyllis explores the gothic possibilities of the Nollywood aesthetic creating a new kind of low-budget atmospheric film that is very much of Nollywood and yet subverts the genre. Using Nollywood to subvert Nollywood.
Insights
Plot Summary
This documentary offers an in-depth look at the life and career of Phyllis Schlafly, a prominent conservative political activist and lawyer. The film explores her controversial stances on feminist issues, her successful campaign against the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), and her lasting impact on American politics.
Critical Reception
Phyllis was met with mixed to positive reviews, with critics often acknowledging its comprehensive scope and Schlafly's significant historical role, while some debated its perspective on her activism.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its detailed examination of a pivotal conservative figure.
Acknowledged for its exploration of Schlafly's impact on social and political movements.
Some reviews noted a lack of deeper critical engagement with her more contentious views.
Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this specific documentary is not readily available.
Fun Fact
Phyllis Schlafly, the subject of the documentary, was a lawyer and a prominent figure in the conservative movement who famously led the successful campaign to defeat the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s.
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