Carmen & Bolude

From the moment they meet, Bolude, the dutiful daughter of a Nigerian diplomat, and Carmen, a self-made vigilante mestiza, share an unbreakable sistership. Attempting to define themselves amidst American identity politics, light-skinned Carmen acknowledges only her Latin heritage, and Bolude embraces Western values over Nigerian roots.

Sure to change everything, is Bolude’s engagement to white, Australian Tommy. Hoping her law exam results will soften the blow, Bolude braves telling her traditional father, Akin, only two weeks before the wedding. Hurt by her disobedience in not choosing a Nigerian, Akin responds with an ultimatum: he will only give his blessing if she can follow tradition and get 100 Australians from 100 villages to welcome her. The two women fly to Australia and set off on the wrong side of the road to find Sydney’s ethnic ‘villages.’ Along with welcomes, the uproarious light of Australian culture forces them to confront their identity choices - and their diverging paths. In connecting with her Nigerian identity, she manages to attract the number of welcomes she needs, but loses Carmen in the process. On her own and in her mother country, Carmen finally discovers her whole legacy. With Akin’s blessing, Bolude and Tommy are married in Nigeria, where she finds the answer to harmonise living in Australia with Tommy, serving her community in Nigeria, and keeping Carmen in the family.

“Quick-paced and quick-witted, Carmen & Bolude is both a lighthearted good time and a deeply introspective watch.” ~Holley Anne Brabble, Film Matters