Original subtitles

And so your father does this very bad imitation

of Michael Jackson's dance in "Beat It."

No. I was just trying to explain my moves to a couple of my friends. You know.

He was trying to impress me.

-I give up.

Sees me with this long-standing admirer of mine...

Uh-uh. He was a leech.

What does he do? He cuts into our dance.

-And then he stumbled. -No!

Uh-uh, Kemi. I did not stumble.

I-- I slid smoothly.

What? You stumbled. I practically had to catch you.

Again, that's not my fault if you can't resist my charm.

-What? -"What?"

-Oh, thank you, Tawa. -Yes, ma.

Thank you.

Now, listen. Your dad trips, falls flat on his face

and then pretends he was trying out these new dance moves.

Wait. Let me try and picture this in my head.

And I can't.

Fabrice. You too?

No, no, no, sir.

Come on, Dad. Show us some of those dance moves.

-Yes. -Come on.

-Okay.

You can laugh all you want.

Thank you, dear.

Even if you torture me here, even if you kill me,

I will never, ever tell you the story

of how your mom fainted when I first kissed her.

No way.

I didn't faint.

I--

-A gentleman never tells.

Revenge, my dear. They say it's, uh, best served...

-cold.

Mum, wait. What exactly happened?

Ask her.

Mum!

Yes?

Got it, Fabrice. Hey.

Thank you, Tawa.

-Tawa, don't let this happen again, okay? -Ah. No, it won't.

If anything finish, just tell me quickly, hmm?

-Yes, Oga Fabrice. -Okay. Go and boil water for oga's tea.

-Okay. Okay. -He's on his way to the airport.

I know your holidays are short, but I still have to work.

I know, Daddy, but I just don't like it when you're gone.

Well, I'll be back before you return to the UK.

Promise?

Don't make promises you can't keep, Femi.

Your mum is always right, but I'll do my best, okay?

Tea, sir?

Do I have the time?

Plenty, even with the traffic.

Okay, then. Yes, please, Fabrice.

-And the pepper sauce? -Just as you like it, sir.

-Good, good, good. -Dere,

I made you a nice, fruity punch.

Mmm!

-Thank you, Mr. Fabrice. -You're welcome.

So, plans?

Just going to chat with some of my friends online.

No, you're not.

We're going to see a spoken-word artist on the island.

Mum...

Dinner afterwards?

Okay, I'm in.

Ooh! Thank you, Mr. Fabrice.

You're welcome.

I really, really have to go. I really have to go.

I really have to go.

-Oh, baby.

-You have a safe flight, okay? -Mm-hmm.

Mm! Embarrassed, are we?

No.

Kemi, why are you always teasing our daughter, huh?

-Thank God we still have some teeth. -Ew!

Yuck!

-See you later, huh? -See you soon, Daddy.

-All right. -Bye.

Yeah, yeah.

Uh-huh. I knew it.

Baby.

You take good care of yourself, okay?

Ah, Kemi...

She's a third-year undergraduate.

I know.

Mum, I'm going to Scotland, not Australia.

-I know, baby. -And we talk every day anyway.

I know.

-Call us when you get there, okay? -I will.

All right.

Ladies first. Go on.

Let's go.

Bye.

A very good morning to you, Otunba.

Ah, good morning, Bala. How are you today?

Very fine, sir. And madame?

Oh, madame is very well, thank you.

Beautiful. Beautiful. Yes.

Uh, excuse me.

I'll-- I'll see you later, sir.

That will be fine.

-Good morning, sir. -Good morning, my dear girl.

So, um, he suggested Badagry.

-Badagry? -Mm-hmm.

That's a bit far out.

Yeah. That's exactly what I told him.

But apparently, the government has plans to put a rail network in that area

over the next ten years.

They've been saying that for years.

I know.

I know.

But what are the alternatives now?

Ah!

Mr. Fabrice, you are such an expert at making pepper soup.

Tawa, you talk too much.

Please pass me a bowl.

Okay. Mmm!

-Mmm! Fabrice. -Sir?

-This smells delicious. -Thank you, sir.

Fabrice, please serve my own before your oga salivates into it.

-Fabrice. -Sir?

Okay-o. Yes?

You and I, we have to review our loyalties at the end of this month.

Oh, sir. Please, sir.

Don't mind him, Fabrice. As long as I am here, your budget is safe.

Thank you, ma. Look, I beg, no vex.

Clay?

Did you hear that? Clay.

It is not a novel idea, Dad.

No, it's not, Mofe, but our people don't think like that.

Don't you just see the monstrosities we build in the name of houses?

But, Dad, the price of cement blocks compared to mud bricks is way--

Mofe! Leave all of that!

It will take a miracle to change our people's minds.

Ah. You build with clay, they will say you're a pauper.

-Unless you're not. -Hmm?

It only takes an educated man like you to enlighten them.

Well, uh, in the UK...

they build with clay bricks, don't they?

Almost exclusively.

All right.

All right. Uh, tell you what.

You do me a feasibility report.

Do your usual presentation magic.

And then we'll take another look at it.

Fair enough.

-Mofe? -Yeah?

There's another reason why I asked you to see me.

Remember my friend, my old friend, Professor Badu?

-Vaguely, Dad. -I remember now.

Professor Badu and the entire family migrated to Canada about 20 years ago.

And they are coming back home at last.

Okay.

Well, we're throwing a small welcome-back get-together for them.

Just the two families.

-Okay. Um, Chichi? -Yes, please?

-What is the calendar looking like? -That's exactly what I'm checking now.

Cancel any other engagements for that day.

-But, Dad, it's possible we may have-- -Please.

I don't get to ask you for much, do I? Do this thing for me.

Besides, my darling, I'm sure that Professor Badu

and the entire family would appreciate the gesture.

Mofe?

Okay, on one condition-- that Chichi and Usman can come as well.

-Eh-Eh-Eh! -That's fine.

They're practically family.

Um, I'll see you later, Dad.

-Have a good day, son. -Mum.

-Mmm, my darling.

-Take care of yourself. -I will.

-Good day, sir. Good day, ma'am. -Chichi, take care.

I will, ma'am.

Here, my darling. Come on, finish your lunch.

-Chichi? -Yes, boss?

Help me find out all you can about Professor Badu.

-And I want it on my desk by this evening. -Okay, boss.

-Hi. -Hi. Welcome.

-How much is it to Lekki? -Lekki? It's 5,000.

Okay.

-Get inside the car. -Thank you.

So, which part of Lekki are you going?

Know what? I'm going to surprise my father at his office.

-It's off Broad Street. -Okay. No problem.

Thank you.

The more things change, the more things stay the same.

Madam?

I was saying... Don't worry about it.

Oh. Change, abi?

Yes-o.

It's time we prove to our children

that they will inherit a country better than they met it.

What if they ask you what you were looking at before everything got so bad?

Mm. They will be right.

We were afraid, and some of us were greedy.

You see?

No matter how you throw a cat on the ground,

it will always land on its feet.

-So what's different now? -We are tired.

Madam, everybody is tired. We can't just continue like this.

Honestly, we can't continue.

I think we should move the account to the Ebony Bank.

Yes, yes.

Dere!

Hi, Dad.

I thought you said you weren't coming home on holidays.

I wasn't, but then I decided to surprise you guys.

And I missed you.

Oh, it's good to have you here. Always good.

-Good morning, sir. -Good morning, Dere. Welcome back.

Thank you, sir.

Otunba, I think I'll have to come back.

Yes.

You haven't changed.

Come on, Dere. You've been gone, what, three months.

-And I saw you not too long ago. -Ah, that's true.

So, um...

how-how did you come?

I... took a taxi.

-Dere! -I know, I know.

Do you realize the potential dangers you expose yourself to out there?

Dad, I'm not a child anymore.

And besides, I booked with a reputable car-hire company.

-Please be careful, yeah? -I'm always careful, Dad,

if only for these little incidents.

-You're cheeky, you know. -I've been told.

-Does your mother know you're here? -No.

I don't believe you. You're both partners in crime.

Dad, I came here straight from the airport.

So, you know how difficult it is to surprise Mum.

That's true.

So...

-So... -If we pull this off...

She's gonna get the shock of her life.

Dad...

I will never, ever let her forget it.

-Have you eaten? -No, not yet.

Good. So why don't we just invite her out for lunch?

-Ooh. -Yeah?

She's never gonna forget this one. Honestly.

There you are.

-Hi, darling.

-Lunch is a nice surprise. -Yeah.

I love to surprise you, you know.

Femi, you suck at giving surprises.

-Hiya, Mum. -Really?

Dere!

What are you doing here?

I'm on holiday, Mum.

-But you said you weren't coming home. -Yeah, but then she changed her mind.

Oh. You knew about this?

Well, then guess who sucks at surprises now.

Don't mind him, Mum. He only found out this morning in his office.

So, who picked you up at the airport?

She, um-- She took a taxi.

-Dere-- -Mum, please.

-Dad has already done his thing. -And rightly so too.

-It's not safe-- -It's okay really.

I handled that though. Let's just celebrate, guys.

What will it be? Yeah?

-Champagne? -Yes.

I just got back, Dad.

Yeah, but then I'll only be gone for three or four days,

and then I'll be back.

I promise you.

All right.

-Have you made any plans yet? -No.

Mum's making an itinerary, but I just want to sleep.

-How long are your vacations for? -Just over a month.

So why don't you sleep the first two days

and then leave the rest of your holidays to your mum and I when I get back?

You have no idea. I'm so proud of you.

Thanks, Dad.

-Dad? -Yeah?

What if I disappointed you?

Disappoint me?

You can never disappoint me.

I mean, like, hypothetically. What if I did something really bad?

Dere.

There's nothing you can ever do that'll make me love you any more or less.

Oh, gosh. That's my girl.

-You okay? -Mm-hmm.

It was fine.

Of course it was.

Dere!

Mum?

-This is beautiful! -Thank you.

Have you read this yet?

-What? -Dere's short stories.

Ah. I'll read this onboard the plane.

You must, Femi. It's just beautiful.

Dere, you have a gift here.

And you know I don't use my words lightly.

I know. Thanks, Mum.

You must write.

Guess who the president of your fan club will be.

Ah, aren't you guys a bit too old for that kind of thing?

Too--

-How do you think you got here? -All right, I'm going.

Innocent child here. Bye.

What does she think? What does she think?

That she dropped from heaven?

Didn't she tell you?

Tell me what?

-What? -I thought you knew.

I thought she told you.

Doctor, told me what?

I'm sorry, Otunba.

You need to speak to your wife.

Femi.

Kemi.

Kemi, how are you feeling?

I'm fine.

Mum, are you okay?

Ah, Dere. I'm fine, Dere.

What exactly is going on?

-Dere... -Hmm?

Can you go check the canteen, if it's still open,

and get something to eat?

But I'm-- I don't-- I'm not hungry.

Please, Dere. Get something for me and your daddy too.

Okay?

I had this chat with your doctor, but...

Kemi, what's going on?

Kemi, what are you keeping away from me?

-Femi. -Hmm?

Six months ago...

I started coughing blood.

They ran some tests, but...

the results were inconclusive.

They think it's a rare kind of degenerative disease.

Oh!

It shuts down the organs progressively.

Six months?

Femi, I didn't want to worry you.

Six months, Kemi. Six months.

Kemi, are you going to be all right?

Eh?

They know what is wrong with you, and they're going to fix it. Abi?

No.

They can't fix this.

Why did you have to wait six months?

We could've gotten the best specialists in Europe.

I've had the best treatment here.

Besides, I didn't want to become the disease.

Have you-- Have you given up?

I have not given--

-Sorry, sorry, sorry.

Sorry, sorry.

-Oh!

Sorry. Sorry, sorry, sorry. Oh! I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. Sorry.

I'm sorry.

Sorry.

-Sorry.

-Femi. -Yeah?

I have never given up on a fight.

-I know. -You know that.

I know.

But I've learned to pick my battles.

I've prayed, and miracles still happen.

It will.

In the meantime, I just want to spend the remaining time I have

with you and Dere.

-Okay.

Don't worry, okay?

She's gonna be all right.

Yeah. She will be.

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth

as it is in heaven.

Give us this day...

Tawa, why are you crying?

Oga Fabrice, I don't know.

Oh, Fabrice, I feel like death is inside this house.

No. Death cannot enter this house.

Look, this is a blessed house.

Oga Fabrice, but oga and Dere are not eating.

What do we do now?

Don't worry. Don't worry.

We will always do what we do best, hmm?

We will pray. Hmm?

Dere, you want some tea?

No, thank you, Mr. Fabrice.

-Dad? -Yeah.

Let me know when you are going back to the hospital.

Okay. I will.

Thanks.

-Thank you, Mr. Fabrice. -Yes, sir.

Oga?

What is it?

I want you to give me permission to say something, sir.

You have been with us since Dere was a baby.

You're part of this family now, Fabrice.

Thank you, sir.

Sit down and talk to me.

No, sir. I-- I'll prefer to stand, sir.

Okay.

Sir, I know that madame is not feeling well.

I know she's very sick.

But I also know that the power of God is greater than any sickness.

Job 28, verse 28 says,

"And unto man, he said,

'Behold, the fear of God is wisdom...

and to depart from iniquity is understanding.'"

Sir, I want you to hold on to God,

to trust God, just like Job.

No matter what happens, just trust him...

and the end will be better than the beginning.

She's all I have.

I don't want him to take her away from me.

Hi.

Hi, Mum. How are you feeling?

Fine.

How are you?

I'm fine.

Where is your dad?

He's gone to shower and change.

He's postponed all his trips until further notice.

He didn't have to do that.

Yes, Mum, he did.

Mum, sit up. Just take some water.

You okay?

I'm scared, Mum.

I know.

I don't-- I don't even know what--

I know. I know.

What are you going to do after you finish university?

I don't know. Not anymore.

Dere...

don't be like that.

I want you to come back home.

Settle here.

What's wrong?

You're acting like everything is going to be fine.

Dere...

where there is life, there is hope.

I know you're dying, Mum!

Dere...

I heard the both of you talking the other day!

I heard everything!

-When were you going to tell me? -Dere...

I'm not a child anymore!

Dere. Dere!

-Hi, baby. -Hi, baby.

What happened?

She knows.

She knows?

Oh.

We should have told her now. We should have told her.

I know.

-Femi... -Yeah?

Hmm?

I want to go home.

Please take me home.

Morning, Dad.

Ah. Dere.

Good morning, darling. Hmm? How are you?

Listen, um, I'm sorry we didn't tell you. Yeah?

Please, talk to your mum.

She's been rather unhappy.

I know.

Yeah? I'm going off to work just for a bit.

I'll be back later, yeah?

-Okay. -Come.

Ah. Dere.

Good morning, Mum.

How are you doing?

No. Don't answer that.

Why didn't you tell me, Mum?

I deserved to know.

Yes, you did, and I am sorry.

Forgive me, Dere.

I--

I didn't know how to tell my daughter...

that I might not be here to watch her fall in love...

gossip about her man,

and just grow excited about the future together.

I didn't know how to face...

not being here to argue about all the little details--

the aso ebi...

the hall, the--

the food...

your wedding dress.

Not to see you stand at the altar.

I'm sorry, Mum. I'm sorry. Please don't cry.

Please don't cry. I'm sorry.

Here's some water.

How is she?

Comfortable.

That's really how much we can do for her now.

She should be in the hospital.

But she wants to stay at home.

Okay. I'm just a phone call away.

Kemi, Kemi, Kemi, Kemi, Kemi.

Oga Fabrice made your favorite, ma.

-Thank you, Tawa. -Yes, ma.

When do you finish your training?

Next month, ma, by God's grace.

Good.

-You must do well, you hear? -Yes, ma.

You have seen the shop, abi?

Yes, ma. I have. It is very beautiful, ma.

Thank you. I will never disappoint you.

-You will do well. -Yes, ma.

Your shop is the only one I will be coming to.

Ah, thank you, ma. Thank you.

-Mum?

I'm fine, Dere.

Listen to me.

-Are you listening? -Yes, Mum. I'm listening.

You are the only woman in your father's life now.

-Mum, no. -Promise me...

you'll take care of him for me.

Mum, I can't!

-I can't! -Dere...

He's not as strong as you, Dere.

Promise me.

-Promise me. -I promise.

Mum?

Mum?

You can't get rid of me that easily.

Come here.

God has blessed you with beauty...

brains...

and a big, generous heart.

Courage...

faith...

and love.

They will guide your choices, Dere.

Do you understand?

-Yes, Mum. -Mm.

You also have the gift of words, Dere.

It's one you must share with the world.

Keep writing.

No matter how hard it gets...

or how long it takes...

promise me you'll keep writing.

Yes, Mum.

Ah. No.

-Promise me. -I promise.

You are our greatest achievement.

Thanks, Mum.

And I'm so, so proud of you.

Thank you.

I love you.

You'll never know how much.

Heart...

courage...

faith...

And love.

Mummy!

Mum!

Otunba Kosoko.

-Oh. Thank you for coming. -Ah, you're welcome.

My daughters.

Ndira.

Good morning, sir. We're sorry about your loss, sir.

Thank you. Please stand up.

-And my youngest one, Amira. -Good morning, sir.

-Thank you. -Please accept my condolences.

Thank you.

I've heard only good things about your wife, Otunba.

Mm.

Wait for me in the car, girls.

I'm sure you don't remember me.

Oh, I do. I remember you very well.

Kemi used to speak highly of you.

Oh, I'm glad.

You know, I didn't see her like a-- like a friend.

I took her like a sister.

Yes, she was.

Hope, uh, she's not taking it too badly.

Ah, Dere.

-She's not taking it well at all.

All I want to do is just help her in any way I can.

-Oh, yeah. -Kemi would have wanted that, you know?

Mm, mm.

Ah, it's hard to lose a loved one.

It's very difficult.

I lost my husband too, not too long ago.

I'm so sorry. So sorry.

Sorry. Sorry.

What-- What can we do now, eh?

-I'm sorry. -The Lord gives and the Lord taketh.

Who can question God?

-You understand more than most, yeah? -Yes, yes.

I'm sorry.

It's okay.

But, um, Otunba...

if you, um--

If you ever need anything,

please don't hesitate.

Call me anytime. Huh?

Okay.

-Anytime. -I will.

Dere, you have to eat-o.

I don't have an appetite.

See, Dere, we don't eat because of appetite.

We eat to live.

If you don't eat, you will fall sick-o. Is that what you want?

No.

Then eat something now, please.

Where is oga?

In the garden. Make him eat.

I'm going back to uni, Mum.

But, Dad, he isn't doing too well.

I'm scared to leave him alone.

He won't eat. He doesn't sleep well.

I knew it would be hard, but...

this is much harder than I thought.

All he does is smoke and drink and stare at your picture.

I'm afraid to leave him alone.

What should I do?

Hi, um-- Hello, precious. How are you?

I've had enough, Dad.

I have had enough, okay?

-Dere. -I get it.

You lost your soul mate. But I lost my mum.

And now it feels like I'm losing my dad too.

So sorry, Dere. I'm so sorry.

It's-- It's just that I feel...

lost.

You know, she-- She was the strong one.

I get that.

But I can't lose you.

There are decisions that need your attention at work,

and people are looking up to you.

It's time to step up, Dad.

Is this what Mum would expect you to do?

But this wasn't the arrangement.

I'm the older one. I was meant to go first.

This was not the plan.

What can I do without her? What?

You shouldn't have left me, Kemi.

You shouldn't have left me.

I just-- I feel so alone.

You're not alone, Dad.

You need to find a way.

The drink is a crutch, and you should let it go.

And let us help you.

I'll fix it.

I'll fix it.

I love you, Dad.

I love you, Dere. I love you too.

Mrs. Adami.

How are you?

Yeah.

-Hmm. So? -So...

it was the, uh-- the father's uncle...

who went to secretly report to the police.

No. No, no, no, Otunba.

You're getting the story wrong. You're not listening properly now.

Now I have to start from the beginning to tell you.

Look. So, the-- Ah.

Otunba. Otunba. Eh?

Ah. I don't like it when you drink this thing. I don't like it. Eh?

Look. Fabrice made you some punch.

-Okay. -Hmm? It's very nice punch.

Let me give you this one. This one you should drink.

Eh? Otunba.

And you're not eating your food. Eat now.

Eat. Eat some more, eh?

It's like you're telling me you're not enjoying my cooking.

Oh, no, no. It's, um-- It's really nice.

Eh, then eat some more now. Eh?

Don't drink this thing. Drink all the punch.

Drink, drink. And eat. Hmm?

So, the story, eh?

Very complicated. Will you listen properly now? Huh?

So the bride was from Benin,

the, uh, husband from Osun.

When they came to the shop...

Sorry I'm late.

-Yes, please.

-Come in.

-Dere. -Hi, Dad.

-You're off then? -Yes.

I'm-- I'm sorry, Dere. I, uh-- I let you down.

-Dad, you lost your soul mate. -What about you?

You're my daughter.

I should have been there for you.

Well, we're here now.

I-I should be in Germany next month.

I could swing by the UK. We could do some dinner.

That'll be nice.

-Yeah? -So, Dad,

this thing with you and Mrs. Adami...

What thing?

Dad, it's okay.

There's no thing with me and Mrs. Adami. Just my good friend.

Okay.

You're dropping by to see your mum before you go, aren't you?

I can't leave without saying goodbye.

-Be careful, yeah? -I will.

Dere, you are the best thing that ever happened to us.

Hmm?

Don't let the events of the past few months

make you think any different.

I know.

My darling. Hmm?

Okay, Mum.

I'm going back now.

I'll see you when I get back.

I love you.

♪ It's Ebony Life ♪