How Long Is “Arugbá”?

Nigerian filmmaker Tunde Kelani explores the social and economic divisions within his country in this drama. The leader of a small town in the Southwest of Nigeria has carefully cultivated a reputation as an enemy of corruption, but the truth is quite different from his public image; he has a long history of making business deals with overseas corporation that are not in the best interests of his citizens, and he pockets the profits while poverty remains widespread among the people. Meanwhile, a young woman from a poor family is struggling to keep their lives together while she prepares to accept a great local honor -- she's been chosen to be the "arugba" (a ceremonial virgin) who will carry a sacred vessel in a ritual that has been performed in the village for centuries. Arugba received its North American premiere at the 2009 African Diaspora Film Festival in New York City.