"SC-S31/W5-Movie Magic |Movies about love beyond romance (76)

Movie that speaks about love beyond romance focusing on friendship, family and sacrifice

Details about the movie

Movie that shows love beyond romance	'76' based on true life story
Producers	Izu Ojukwu and Adonaija Owiriwa
Director	Izu Ojukwu
Story	Emmanuel Okomanyi
Release date	3rd November, 2016
Languages	Mostly English, with some Igbo and Hausa

Seeing the first scene in the movie, I thought:

• How will this first impression connects with my task; ... love beyond romance, but friendship, family and sacrifice?

It tells a story of a Nigerian military man, Joseph Dewa and his pregnant wife, Suzy.

As I watched on, I met Joe's friend, Gomos, who was also in the military. He usually visit Joe and they sometimes sat out together. At first Joe appears like a good companion but later he was different from what I thought.

Gomos was part of a coup to assassinate five VIP's, inclusive of the Head of State. Joe was not pleased when he confessed to him. When Gomos saw Joe was not complying, which is a bad sign because Joe could expose their plan. Gomos wanted to forcefully involve Joe in the coup by demanding his Identification card. Coup plotters do pledged their ID cards for allegiance to the coup. Joe managed to defend himself and escape.

Joe went to report the coup to the Commanding Officer of the barrack. The officer was on a call when he entered his office. At the end of the call, the officer said: "Oscar December." This was a code used among Gomos and his fellow plotters. Obviously, the Commanding Officer was involved in the coup. Joe quickly changed topic and left. He then went to the telephone room, distracted the officer on duty and try to call the headquarter to relay a confidential information, but the Head of State was not on sit.

Joe zoom off and called on Obi. Obi admired how Joe carried out any task he was given to so perfectly. He was so loyal and fond of Joe. Joe asked Obi to meet him at the parade ground. Joe's wife was preparing Joe's favorite meal for WASA day event, not knowing her husband was in a serious trouble. Before Obi could reach Joe's wife to deliver the note from her husband, Joe's wife saw Obi arrested by the soldiers sent from the coup plotters.

Joe was on the run but he managed to reach his residence. His wife was so mad at him. That night, the coup in the barrack succeeded in assassinating the Head of State. When they're about to celebrate their victory, headquarter had already got to them, and they were arrested. Joe was also arrested, in the midst of his wife's labour. His name and signature was falsely written in the coup list.

Suzy was taken to the hospital by a soldier on duty, Obi. He heard her screaming inside in labour. Joe was in prison when his wife put to birth. He asked to see his wife but he was denied the request. Mary, a kind neighbor was taking care of Suzy and told her what to expect, saying that when situation like this happens in the barrack, only the innocent would come back.

With time, Mary, Obi and Suzy were interrogated to prove Joe's innocence. At first Suzy covered her husband during the interrogation. But when pressure was applied, her loyalty and trust was tested, she was told that Joe's sister is her husband's girlfriend. Suzy felt weak and confused, she later said something that could save her husband unknowingly because of pressure.

Eventually, Joe's sister visited from London. Suzy fights her, believing what she had been told, since she knows nothing about her husband sister ever. Joe's sister revealed herself to her, that's when Suzy was calm and decided to fight and save her husband. She met Obi and asked what he wanted to give her that day he was arrested. At first Obi didn't comply, later on, he told her about it, but said he can't go against what he reported already when he was interrogated.

Suzy didn't give up, she went to see Mary again, making enquiry on what to do to save her husband. Mary told her about her neighbor that presented her husband ID card and he was released. Suzy rushed back and presented her husband ID card to the offer in charge of his husband's case.

On the other hand, Obi went and told the officer about what happened that day he was arrested, he did this to prove Joe's innocence. The coup plotters were now announced to be executed by firing squad. Suzy went to see her husband before the execution, he didn't find him. The execution was in two location. She thought she went to the wrong one, not knowing her husband was saved.

Suzy in the sitting room with Joe's sister, behold, her husband came in. The atmosphere was filled with emotion. In the end, Joe was dismissed from the army instead of being executed.

What type of love was most powerful in the movie?

Romance is barely shown in the movie. Instead, it shows a love in action in the midst of betrayal and fear:

'Storge love' is a love that is mostly found among family members. It is built on familiarity and time, which is why it's a love that exists between families and also close friends.
Storge love was clearly shown by Suzy, Obi and Mary
Suzy sacrifices everything to save her husband. She was bold while being interrogated, trying to cover up her husband.

She went to Mary to enquire what to do to save her husband. Mary gave her vital information on what to do. She did just that but it seems it didn't work. But she didn't give up.

He went further to confront Obi about what happened the day he was arrested at her place. Obi didn't corporate, she desperately threatened him to get any information that could save her husband. Obi later told him about what happened but told him he can't risk to speak up, because it may attracts death penalty.

Suzy was stranded, but her sacrifice to save her husband really shows love beyond romance, Storge love.

Do you think the love conveyed through this movie is realistic today? And why?

Yes.
Obi risked his life to correct his testimony and save Joe. In same way, this kind of love is rare, but we still have that kind of friends who shows this kind of love, covering up for each other, though not mostly on life or death situations.

What did the movie teach you about love?

• Love should be proven by sacrifice or actions, not only by words. Suzy displayed this good example so perfectly to imitate.

• Love is beyond only immediate family, a stranger can be inspire by love to help someone. Mary and Obi showed this, they were not families to Joe but Mary although she had children to take care of, she sacrifice her time for Suzy. Obi on the other hand, risk his life for Joe.

• Love should be ready to defend fears, lies and pressure. Suzy's marriage was at stake because of the lie about her husband having a girlfriend.

My Conclusion

76 teaches that love is beyond romance. Storge love, love of family and close friend that comes with sacrifice is powerfully conveyed in the movie. From Suzy's fight to save her husband, to Obi's loyalty, risking his life and Mary's care and time she sacrifice for Suzy really shows that love truly is beyond romance, but also family, friendship and sacrificial love. This kind of love still exists today even beyond family members.

---

I place my invite to @emishael60 @endygraphics and @sahmie

---

All photos on this post are screenshots from MovieBox App

---

Cc: @ruthjoe