How Lisabi: The Uprising portrays rape, sexual violence as a mere plot device

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

In most Nollywood movies, rape scenes are often used to stir emotions, adding intensity or drama to the story. But using such a sensitive issue as a mere plot device diminishes the real-life impact of rape on victims.

Lisabi: The Uprising falls into this problematic portrayal by using rape not as a serious social issue that deserves thoughtful exploration but as a tool to advance the storyline. This trend is concerning as it reflects a broader insensitivity in Nollywood towards handling complex social issues with care.

A critical look at Lisabi: The Uprising

In Lisabi: The Uprising, the rape of one of the female characters Abebi (played by Liquorose) by Sangodeyi, the Head of Ilaris (played by Ibrahim Chatta) seems to exist solely to provide a dramatic twist in the plot, with little regard for the psychological consequences faced by the victim. The rape occurs during a chaotic moment in the story, where personal and political tensions are high. The scene feels almost incidental to the larger narrative, as the plot quickly moves on without giving the character the space to process or recover from the trauma.

While the film focuses heavily on themes of resistance, rebellion, and oppression, the issue of sexual violence is glossed over. Instead of examining the deep scars that such violence leaves behind, the movie uses the rape scene to serve a fleeting purpose—to push the victim’s male relatives, for instance, Lisabi (played by Lateef Adedimeji) into taking revenge or to justify the rising tensions between rival groups. This treatment reduces rape to a mere plot device, stripping it of the gravity it deserves.

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Rape as a plot device in other Nollywood films

Unfortunately, Lisabi: The Uprising is not the only Nollywood film that falls into this trap. Several other movies follow a similar pattern, treating rape as a side note in the plot.

1. Dry (2014) – Although Dry addresses early child marriages and the devastating consequences of obstetric fistula, it also contains scenes where rape is used to heighten the drama. The main character, Halima, is raped after being forced into an early marriage, but the emphasis shifts from her trauma to her medical condition. The narrative doesn’t spend enough time examining the mental impact of the rape, and the scene feels more like a plot mechanism to intensify the story’s emotional weight.
2. October 1 (2014) – Kunle Afolayan’s October 1 is a historical thriller that explores Nigeria on the eve of independence. While the film is known for its gripping plot and suspense, it too features rape as part of its narrative. The rape scenes seem to be used to demonize the antagonist rather than delve into the victim’s experience. The focus is on building tension for the story’s climax rather than giving any meaningful attention to the victims’ psychological trauma.
3. Violated (1996) – A classic Nollywood drama, Violated includes a rape scene that is treated as a pivotal moment in the plot but is never fully unpacked. The rape serves to complicate the romantic relationship between the main characters. The female victim’s feelings and the impact of the assault are not explored in depth, with the storyline shifting quickly back to the romantic and family tensions.

The problem with using rape as a plot device

When rape is used merely to add tension to a story or to justify a character’s motivations, it trivializes the gravity of the crime. In real life, rape is an act of violence that leaves deep physical and emotional scars. It is not something that people move on from quickly, nor is it an event that should be used lightly in storytelling.

By using rape as a plot device, movies like Lisabi: The Uprising send a problematic message—that rape is something that happens in the background, something that can be used for shock value and then discarded. This approach undermines the experiences of real-life rape victims, who often face long-term trauma and a difficult path to recovery. In a culture where gender-based violence is still a significant issue, Nollywood films have a responsibility to portray such sensitive topics with the care and attention they deserve.

The need for better representation

Nollywood can do better in handling the topic of rape by giving it the attention and depth it requires. Films should aim to explore the emotional and psychological consequences of sexual violence rather than using it as a shortcut to heighten the drama. Filmmakers should consider the impact that such portrayals have on audiences, especially in a society where rape survivors are often stigmatized or silenced.

A few days ago, shortly after the release of Lisabi: The Uprising on Netflix, I stumbled on a tweet on X by an award-winning scriptwriter and filmmaker where she wrote: “As filmmakers, we have a deep responsibility to learn how to approach sexual assault in film and TV. Rape is not a joke and it should be handled with utmost care not a plot device for romantic troupes. It’s not love, it’s just trauma.”

As filmmakers, we have a deep responsibility to learn how to approach sexual assault in film and TV. Rape is not a joke and it should be handled with utmost care not a plot device for romantic troupes. It's not love, it's just trauma.

— The (@DamiElebe) September 28, 2024

A more thoughtful approach would involve showing the recovery process for survivors, examining how rape affects not only the individual but also their relationships, and, most importantly, highlighting the strength and resilience of survivors. By doing so, Nollywood films can contribute to a more compassionate and nuanced conversation around sexual violence.

In summary, Lisabi: The Uprising portrays rape as a mere tool for plot development, a trend that is common in many Nollywood films. This approach is harmful as it trivializes the experiences of rape survivors and fails to address the real emotional toll of such violence. As a powerful medium, Nollywood has the potential to shift this narrative, creating films that treat rape with the seriousness it deserves and advocating for more compassionate storytelling.

Conclusion

The repeated use of rape as a plot device in Nollywood reveals a troubling lack of depth in addressing sensitive social issues. While films like Lisabi: The Uprising succeed in delivering action-packed drama, they miss the mark when it comes to treating serious issues like rape with the care and attention needed. If Nollywood hopes to lead discussions around social justice and human rights, it must rise above using such topics as mere shock elements and instead foster a more thoughtful and responsible approach to storytelling.