Before Nollywood There Was Day Break in Udi

August 25, 2012

Synopsis

DOCUMENTARY. A maternity hospital is built by natives in the Eastern Nigerian village of Umana.

Rl.1 Opening shots of the natives of the village attending open-air school and learning to read. In his office, the Udi district officer settles an argument concerning the ownership of a child. He next listens to a case where one of twin babies has died due to neglect. Two teachers, Irika and Dominic, propose the building of a maternity hospital. The district officer points out the difficulties and suggests they hold a village meeting to consult the elders. The meeting is held (955ft).

Rl.2 Dominic reports back to the district officer that there is some opposition, especially from a native called Eze. The district officer goes to the meeting, talks with the elders and wins the support of Eze's wife. Work begins. Grass is burnt to clear the ground. The natives carry stones on their heads to the site and the foundations are dug. Eze appears on the site and stops the natives working (1560ft).

Rl.3 Dominic reports to the District Officer that Eze has told the natives that if the maternity hospital is built, the Government will seize it. The district officer convinces the natives that this is not true and work resumes. Water is brought to the site. They make the ground smooth by treading it with their feet. Bricks are made, the framework is erected, walls built, doors and windows put in. The two teachers request a corrugated iron roof, which duly arrives and is fitted on. The midwife arrives (1986ft).

Rl.4 Irika tells the district officer that Eze is telling the village women that if they go to the hospital, their babies will be born dead or deformed. The district officer arranges for a woman of a neighbouring village to be the first to have her baby born in the hospital. Irika comes to the hospital to help with the birth. The midwife observes movements in the bush outside. Eze and his followers, dressed in masks, attempt to scare the midwife away. Irika throws boiling water at them and they turn away. The baby is born safely (2784ft).

Rl.5 Drums beat out the news. The natives perform dances. The District Officer makes a congratulatory speech. The natives begin on their next project - that of building roads (3485ft).

DAYBREAK IN UDI

Technical Data

Year:: 1949
Running Time:: 40 minutes
Colour:: Black/White
Sound:: Sound
Footage:: 3595 ft

Production Credits

Production Countries:: Great Britain

Director: BISHOP, Terry
Producer: ANDERSON, Max
Producer: TAYLOR, John
Sponsor: Central Office of Information
Sponsor: Colonial Office

Assistant Director: FULLILOVE, Eric
Author of the Original Work: SLATER, Montagu
cast member: AMALU, Joseph
cast member: ANEROBI, Harford
cast member: ANIBHEBE, Oso
cast member: CHADWICK, E. R.
cast member: ELUMUZE, Fanny
cast member: EMEHEL, Clement
cast member: MGBARONYE, Joyce
cast member: villagers of Amansiodo
cast member: villagers of Mgbabu Owa
cast member: villagers of Umana
Editor: TRENCH, Terry
Music: ALWYN, William
Photography: GAMAGE, Fred
Production Company: Crown Film Unit
Sound: CAMERON, Ken

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