Actress Kehinde Bankole talked candidly about the emotional toll of portraying a woman dealing with postpartum depression In the recently released film Out in the Darkness.
In an interview, Kehinde described how the role of Boluwatife, a woman dealing with postpartum psychosis, weighed heavily on her emotionally.
“How do I feel playing Bolu? I feel heavy, very heavy. This is my day one playing Bolu and I feel sad, very sad. Bolu’s life is a turmoil. I feel heavy, not heavy work wise but emotionally. It is a very sensitive topic,” she said.
Out in the Darkness, which premiered at NollywoodWeek Paris and was released in Nigerian cinemas on July 4, follows the story of Bolu whose descent into postpartum mental illness is misunderstood by medical professionals and dismissed by her family as spiritual.
Directed by Stella Kwaji, the film stars Kehinde alongside Deyemi Okanlawon, Bimbo Akintola, Tina Mba, Jide Kosoko, Ronke Oshodi-Oke and Jennifer Eliogu.
Deyemi, who plays Bolu’s husband in the film, also praised Kehinde for her performance.
“The movie Out in the Darkness is one of many of Kehinde Bankole’s spectacular performances, I think she’s brilliant and she makes me look good. The movie treats an important topic,” he said.
Deyemi also spoke from personal experience, saying: “As a father of three, I’ve seen what motherhood can do to a woman’s body and mind. My wife went through it. And for a husband, it’s hard. They need you to be kind, to be patient.”
Out in the Darkness sheds light on the often ignored subject of postpartum psychosis and the cultural misconceptions that surround it in Nigerian society. The film has been praised for its strong performances and bold storytelling.