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Ijeoma Iloputaife

Film reel

A film student from Nigeria at UCLA in the late 1970s and early 1980s, she produced several films while in school, including African Woman USA (1980). She won recognition in fine art and literature in her country of origin and in Germany, and presently works as a writer, artist and multimedia specialist.

Birthplace: 
Nigeria
Education: 
UCLA, B.A. 1976, M.F.A. 1982

Filmography

Film Role(s) Year
Rain Rain (Nyesha)

The political awakening of a female typist is vividly portrayed through Melvonna Ballenger’s use of John Coltrane’s song, “After the Rain.”

Cast 1978
Film Reel Atilogivu: The Story of a Wrestling Match

The film, by Ijeoma Iloputaife, is introduced as being about the Ibu people, east of the River Niger. No wrestling is depicted, but the entire film documents very gymnastic dancing to drum and flute music, perhaps a celebration in preparation for a wrestling match. At the very beginning of the film, a sign reads Girls High School, Umunze.

Director
Producer
Writer
1982
The Snake in My Bed (1995) The Snake in My Bed

In common with many L.A. Rebellion films, Snake touches on such themes as institutionalized racism, colonialism and the plight of women of color.  Narrated in the first person by the filmmaker as an epistle to her son, The Snake in My Bed tells Diegu's story as a Nigerian woman in Lagos who discovers her German husband is a bigamist and follows her journey to have their son officially recognized as a German citizen from Neustadt am Main, since, according to Nigerian (i.e. Ibo) custom, a person’s identity can only be defined by the home village of the father.

Director
Producer
Writer
Cinematographer
Editor
Cast
1995