I'm not sure I'd ever expect a film like writer/director Nnamdi Kanaga's Water Girl to come out, of all places, Montana. Oh sure, there are some mighty fine films to come out of the state (NOTE: I can't actually think of any right now.), but a film based upon Ogbanje mythology has most certainly not been on my radar. 

But here we are. 

Water Girl is a supernatural drama. Now then, I'll be the first to admit I'm clueless when it comesm to the world of Igbo cosmology. It may be important to note that Kanaga is a Montana-based filmmaker born in Nigeria who made his directorial debut in 2020 with The Hail Mary. To make my point about Montana, a state I do love, The Hail Mary was Montana's first film with an all-black lead cast. However, Kanaga is there now and determined to put forth authentic African storytelling and to broaden the spectrum of Montana's filmmaking community. 

If we're being honest, Water Girl is the kind of film a lot of film journalists, especially American film journalists, would simply set aside. It's a low-budget indie that made its North American premiere at Flathead Lake International CinemaFest where it picked up prizes for Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Original Score. It's not the kind of film you'll likely ever see at your neighborhood multiplex, however, it's a compelling and beautifully told story and, quite honestly, I'm not like most film journalists. 

Water Girl, in Kanaga's own words, "pays homage to the truthfulness of old Nollywood storytelling while exploring new horizons of modern-day cinema." It's a film that vividly portrays elements of the Igbo culture in a way that's accessible and meaningful even for newbies like this writer. 

In the film, Nkechi (Stella Damasus) discovers that her daughter, Kamsi (Moriyahfaith Jackson), is an Ogbanje - a spirit child cursed to walk the endless cycle of life, death, and rebirth. The joys of motherhood are consumed by a haunting agony testing love, faith, and fate. 

While much of the narrative of Water Girl is centered around Jackson's Kamsi (CAUTION: Don't ask her to explain her name.), I'll admit it's Stella Damasus's Nkechi who kept me captivated throughout Water Girl. Damasus gives a remarkably strong performance, aching in both vulnerability and strength. Damasus commands the screen every time she's on it. 

This is not to minimize Jackson's strong performance in any way. Jackson's transformation over the course of the film is powerful to watch. Kenneth Okolie and Nick Wilder are also strong in support. 

The original score from Blessing Agu is, indeed, a tremendous companion to Kanaga's storytelling and nicely complements all that unfolds here. This is such a unique, meaningful story perhaps made even more powerful by having its Montana setting as a backdrop. 

If you get a chance, check out Water Girl. 

Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic