Actress Kehinde Bankole has opened up about the emotional impact of playing a woman battling postpartum depression in the newly released film Out in the Darkness.
In a recent interview, Kehinde shared that portraying the character Boluwatife, who struggles with postpartum psychosis, took a deep emotional toll on her and was one of the most intense roles she has taken on.
“How do I feel playing Bolu? I feel heavy, very heavy. This is my day one playing Bolu and I feel sad, very sad. Bolu’s life is a turmoil. I feel heavy, not heavy work wise but emotionally. It is a very sensitive topic,” she said.
Out in the Darkness, which premiered at NollywoodWeek Paris and was released in Nigerian cinemas on July 4, follows the story of Bolu whose descent into postpartum mental illness is misunderstood by medical professionals and dismissed by her family as spiritual.
Directed by Stella Kwaji, the film stars Kehinde alongside Deyemi Okanlawon, Bimbo Akintola, Tina Mba, Jide Kosoko, Ronke Oshodi-Oke and Jennifer Eliogu.
Deyemi, who plays Bolu’s husband in the film, also praised Kehinde for her performance.
“The movie Out in the Darkness is one of many of Kehinde Bankole’s spectacular performances, I think she’s brilliant and she makes me look good. The movie treats an important topic,” he said.
Deyemi also spoke from personal experience, saying: “As a father of three, I’ve seen what motherhood can do to a woman’s body and mind. My wife went through it. And for a husband, it’s hard. They need you to be kind, to be patient.”
Out in the Darkness sheds light on the often ignored subject of postpartum psychosis and the cultural misconceptions that surround it in Nigerian society. The film has been praised for its strong performances and bold storytelling.