The Secret Laughter Of Women (1999)

The Secret Laughter Of Women

"Finding the right man at the right price"

Summary:

Nimi leads a relatively peaceful life amongst the female dominated Nigerian community in a picturesque coastal town in southern France. Life consists of working as a landscape gardener, looking after her eight year old son Sammy and attending exuberant masses at the local African church. Nimi's unmarried status (and son) are frowned upon by her traditionalist neighbours and her mother Nene is very keen to marry her off to confer her with respectability. When the handsome Reverend Fola moves into town and shows interest in Nimi, it is like a godsend for Nene who desperately attempts to get the two together.

Nimi's son Sammy, however, has other ideas. He has confused writer Matthew Field, the creator of his beloved comic action hero Saracen, with his heroic creation and deems him a much more suitable match than the Reverend Fola for his mother. He tries at length to persuade Matthew to marry his mother instead, using every means at his disposal to unite them.

Against their expectations, love blossoms. Although Nimi has resigned herself to marriage to the rather unexciting Reverend Fola, she is intrigued by Matthew. However, she is also very aware of Matthew's married status, distrust of women and general unwillingness to commit to a relationship. In contrast, Matthew is drawn to Nimi not just for her beauty, but the stability of her African way of life and an innate goodness which throws him completely off-guard.

(source: Britfilms)

(Movie)

Directed by:
Peter Schwabach

Writing credits (in alphabetical order):
Misan Sagay
O.O. Sagay

Full credits here

Runtime: 99 min

Country: UK / Canada

Language: English

Color: Color

Sound Mix: Dolby

Certification: UK:12

Release Dates

Filming Locations

Posters

Production Company/Company Credits

Cast:

Colin Firth	Matthew Field
Nia Long	Nimi Da Silva
Dan Lett	John
Joke Silva	Nene
Ariyon Bakare	Rev. Fola
Joy Elias-Rilwan	Mama Fola
Hakim Kae-Razim	Dr. Ade
Bella Enahoro	Madame Rosa
Fissy Roberts	Sammy
Rakie Ayola	Talking Drum
Caroline Goodall	Jenny Field
Ellen Thomas	Bitter Leaf
Thomas Baptiste	Papa Fola
Willie Jonah	Old uncle
Ho Yi	Chen

Information courtesy of The Internet Movie Database