Sydney 1888:
A baby is found in a toilet, abandoned perhaps. Investigations lead back to Kate De Lawarie alias Mrs Kingsley. It is later discovered that she is a “baby farmer.” Her mode of operation? She lures desperate unemployed and new single mothers seeking a better life for their children with the promise of an adoption to a well-to-do family. All she asks for is the train fare to get the children across.
Nigeria 2025:
A century later, the term “Baby Farm” reincarnates in an awe-inspiring work of art. Its mode of operation? Not very different from before. To the unsuspecting, Mr & Mrs Evans are heaven-sent foreign doctors in Lagos performing the “Lord’s work” of returning hope to hopeless and helpless mothers.
Using their non-governmental foundation, they take in these women, provide them with free medical care, food, and shelter with a promise to reintegrate them back into society. But at night, the dark vicious underbelly of baby farming comes alive.
At the heart of Baby Farm is Adanna. New to Lagos in search of her booboo that fled home on receiving news of her pregnancy, she is determined to find him and continue their love story as a family. It’s not long before funds and food run low. At this moment, a paradise of an opportunity presents itself: Evans Foundation. The flower-plastered walls painted in pink, free medical care from foreign doctors, warm water and food all seem surreal. But paradise quickly becomes hellish as she desceneds into an underground of violence and brutality at the hands of the affluent populace of bustling Lagos.
Baby Farm is a creative work of EbonyLife Studios executively produced by Mo Abudu. It stars Onyinye Odokoro, Rita Dominic, Joseph Benjamin, Langley Kirkwood, Jenny Stead, Genoveva Umeh, among others.
Folu Storms as Joy portrays the role ofan over-ambitious blogger obsessed with gossip so well. Onyinye Odokoro takes us on a scintillating journey as Adanna. Her facial and bodily interpretations of fear, confusion, courage and resolve add extra layers to an already invigorating plot.
Despite the immersive setting, organic acting, and beautiful visuals, viewers can see the chilling thrill that awaits them. The intro seems like something of a Hollywood crime thriller; the baby bear, the cuff and the syringe all in jarring contrast with each other set against the background of a cynical tune sets the tone.
The movie is filled with characters with overarching irrationality and blindness. Dr Evans is blinded with greed; his Wife Barbara by servitude; Mrs. Cherise with desire and ego; Akin, her husband, with love. Even Adanna who seems the most courageous and sensible character makes poor decisions many times.
A scene from the movie courtesy EbonyLife StudiosThere are a lot of inconsistencies in the plot though. Despite occasional showings of the movie through the lens of the black and white CCTV recordings, a lot of things go conveniently unnoticed in the facility. The guards are coincidentally distracted from watching the monitors when Ebun and Adanna make their escape. And, how convenient was it that the security guards took their time while trying to catch up with them despite being seconds away? Ebun and Ify move a loosely wrapped up dead body in broad daylight and all I can think of is, “How do they not get caught!”. And then there’s the damn police officer handling evidence at a crime scene without gloves.
However, if I turn a blind eye to these inconsistencies, I would place Baby Farm as one of the most thrilling offerings from the Nigerian film industry. There is a seamlessness to the production that doesn’t feel forced. Characters, through the actors, come to life in this. There is a strength and embodiment of character that allows them to play their parts without overstepping. Despite being some amateurish character representations, they are not painfully obvious.
Beyond its cast and crew and inconsistencies, Baby Farm tells a story that is bigger than itself. It sheds light on the horrors of baby farming and the underground workings of organisations disguised as NGOs and medical facilities. There are many such organisations like this now and in the past and many more vulnerable women like the ones we witness and yet this seems just like a mere page torn out of a much bigger book. It begs the question of how many more women and children are being roped into this scheme of baby-making and selling.
Shocking revelations, betrayal, murder, family, loyalty and suspense await you on this ride. Do sit tight.
Baby Farm is streaming on Netflix.
*** Precious Nzeakor, winner of the CORA book review prize might be a medical student, but her career path has not taken away her strong passion for the arts, whatever form it may take.
