Title: BLEEDING TREE (1 & 2)

Sequel: POOR WIDOW (1 & 2) 

Starring: Ngozi Ezeonu, Queen Nwokoye, Frank Artus, Zubby Michael

Synopsis: 

Ugomma was betrothed to a deity as a child and years later when she loses her virginity to a man, the deity feels betrayed and wreaks havoc on the community. 

Review:

Ngozi Ezeonu plays Orjiugo, a woman who was driven out of the Umuoma village by the Christians because she was suspected of being a witch. She asked the village deity for protection and in exchange she promised him that her daughter, a young girl at the time, would replace his dead wife. Years later when her daughter, Ugomma (Queen Nwokoye) became a woman, she believed her mother was dead and she had no idea about the deal her mother made on her behalf.

Ugomma went about life seeming to spread good luck to those she met but she was unlucky with men. Frustrated that she couldn’t find a husband she slept with Evander (Frank Artus) out of sheer desperation. When she lost her virginity to Evander, the deity cried tears of blood. Ugomma was unaware that she cheated on her husband, the deity, and he was unforgiving.

The deity took his anger out on the village and many people became sick and died. Only Ugomma could save the village from further catastrophe but she instead fled the village and sought refuge from Evander. 

Ugomma’s presence in Evander’s life seemed to bring him success but when he learned of her history he was faced with the decision of protecting her or returning her to the village. 

Let’s Talk. “Bleeding Tree” is a traditional movie and a surprisingly good story. It is rich in the word of God, folklore, and freckled with humor.

According to tradition, no man is to touch a woman betrothed to a deity. The people of the village suffered the wrath of the deity and in order to cease the calamity in the village, Ugomma was required to come forth and also, a virgin had to be sacrificed. 

Some segments of the movie gave the vibe of a musical because the main characters actually sang to each other. The singing was sort of cheesy and seemed out of place but this was the emotional bond that brought the magic to Ugomma and Evander’s relationship. 

One scene worth mentioning is when Carlos (Zubby Michael) and Evander were discussing how to handle Ugomma’s situation. Tessie (Pascalyn Alex) interrupted the conversation and Carlos told her to shut the F up when men are talking. Excuse me? Is that how men allow friends to talk to their girlfriends? Totally disrespectful.

The casting was on point. It’s a shame that Ngozi Ezeonu didn’t have more screen time. She’s such a versatile actress and she nailed it playing the sly yet remorseful vagabond and mother to Ugomma.

Frank Artus didn’t do anything spectacular but he did give a respectable performance. It’s Queen Nwokoye who stole the show. She rocked playing the wayward, uneducated, Ugomma.  

Subtitles were provided when dialogue was spoken in African dialect however there were some spelling errors. Other than that, “Bleeding Tree” gets a high five and a RECOMMEND

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