Writing
Ijeoma Iloputaife
Ghana
Multi-talented Imaginator Ijeoma Iloputaife, also known as Omah Diegu and ‘oma ‘taife, is a Ghana-born Nigerian who has taken up residency in California as an American citizen. She plays a pioneering role as the first African woman to study film and television production at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), and is recognized as one of the filmmakers of an iconic group known as L.A. Rebellion. As a college undergraduate in the mid 1970’s, Ijeoma Iloputaife studied fine and applied arts at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) and worked as a newsreel correspondent with Radio Nigeria Lagos during the vacations. Upon graduation, she worked as a reporter with Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Lagos before deciding to become a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) candidate at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) in the late 1970s. Ijeoma Iloputaife has since made a number of films, some of which are still in circulation, including African Woman-USA; and The Snake in My Bed. As ‘oma ‘taife, she’s held exhibitions of her oil paintings under such theme titles as “Strange encounter With the Ancestors” and “The plight of The Rural Woman in Africa.” As Omah Diegu, she continues to write poems, essays and novels which she hopes to add to her publications, which include Frauen Afrikas - Woman of Africa.
Acting credits
Behind the camera
Ijeoma Iloputaife’s filmic poem attesting to autonomy, spiritual expansiveness, spacetime and belief in one’s self reflects on life over the sounds of Fela and the Africa 70 while luxuriating in the aesthetic beauties of nature.
I AM
2026
While no wrestling is actually depicted, Atilogivu: The Story of a Wrestling Match documents gymnastic dancing to drum and flute music of the Ibu people, east of the River Niger.
Atilogivu: The Story of a Wrestling Match
1982
While no wrestling is actually depicted, Atilogivu: The Story of a Wrestling Match documents gymnastic dancing to drum and flute music of the Ibu people, east of the River Niger.
Atilogivu: The Story of a Wrestling Match
1982
While no wrestling is actually depicted, Atilogivu: The Story of a Wrestling Match documents gymnastic dancing to drum and flute music of the Ibu people, east of the River Niger.
Atilogivu: The Story of a Wrestling Match
1982
In common with many L.A. Rebellion films, Snake touches on such themes as institutionalized racism, colonialism and the plight of women of color. Narrated in the first person by the filmmaker as an epistle to her son, The Snake in My Bed tells Diegu's story as a Nigerian woman in Lagos who is romantically pursed by a German national who has “gone native.” Despite his secretive and duplicitous actions, she eventually agrees to marry him and has his child, only to learn that he is a bigamist with a German wife and child.
The Snake in My Bed
1995
In common with many L.A. Rebellion films, Snake touches on such themes as institutionalized racism, colonialism and the plight of women of color. Narrated in the first person by the filmmaker as an epistle to her son, The Snake in My Bed tells Diegu's story as a Nigerian woman in Lagos who is romantically pursed by a German national who has “gone native.” Despite his secretive and duplicitous actions, she eventually agrees to marry him and has his child, only to learn that he is a bigamist with a German wife and child.
The Snake in My Bed
1995
In common with many L.A. Rebellion films, Snake touches on such themes as institutionalized racism, colonialism and the plight of women of color. Narrated in the first person by the filmmaker as an epistle to her son, The Snake in My Bed tells Diegu's story as a Nigerian woman in Lagos who is romantically pursed by a German national who has “gone native.” Despite his secretive and duplicitous actions, she eventually agrees to marry him and has his child, only to learn that he is a bigamist with a German wife and child.
The Snake in My Bed
1995
NRA woman from Nigeria seeks work in the United States while her daughter struggles with premonitions and homesickness.
African Woman – USA
1980
NRA woman from Nigeria seeks work in the United States while her daughter struggles with premonitions and homesickness.
African Woman – USA
1980