Yaaba

I watched this movie when I was about 10 years old. I remember my Dad recorded it onto a video tape many years ago when it aired on TV in Australia. I vividly remember what him raving on about it, saying it was the best movie in the world etc. I don’t really remember what happens in the movie. All I remember is that I cried and I think my Dad cried. For my Dad, I think it brought memories from his childhood when he used to go to his father’s farm. For me, I felt really close to home. That time I had idea of the exact location of the film and no plans of going to Ghana. I think I felt so close because I imagined the kindness of Yaaba to be the same as my maternal grandmother who I was yet to meet!

Set in a small African village, Bila is a ten year old boy who makes friends with an old woman named Sana, who has been accused of witchcraft and ostracized from her village. Out of respect, Billa calls her “Yaaba” (Grandmother). When Bila’s cousin falls ill, a medicine man insists that Sana has stolen the girl’s soul. Sana undergoes a long and grueling journey to find a medicine to save Nopoko’s life. Sana manages to save Nopoko’s life, but is still treated as a witch. After Sana dies, the real reason why she is hated in the village is uncovered, but her love and wisdom she invested in Bila and Nopoko lives on. – ImDb