The Buzz About the Nanny: Nikodimos' New Film

By Charles Sutton

Many of you may have heard the buzz about Nikodimos Fikru's wonderful new film, Mogzitwa. It got a warm reception from hundreds of viewers when it was screened recently in New York City.

Some may discover a reflection of their own life experiences in Mogzitwa's unflinching treatment of the hardships and dilemmas that confront new immigrants to this country. But whatever your perspective on the action may be, I predict that the moment Mimi, the young, pretty heroine, is cast into the treacherous waters of a troubled suburban D.C. household, you will find yourself immediately caught up in her desperate struggle to stay afloat.

Mogzitwa is rich in a kind of comedy that at times approaches satire. But the film is never cynical, and the filmmaker's love for and understanding of the characters he has created is palpable. Helped by an excellent cast, he paints balanced and fairly sympathetic portraits of most of them, even the frustrated and extremely disagreeable housewife Almaz (Mimi's employer). Conversely, lest we make the mistake of putting our heroine Mimi on a pedestal, Nicodimos scatters clues that her boyfriend, Johnny, may not be mistaken in believing that for all her winning ways, Mimi will use and then discard him in pursuit of the green card she covets above all else.

Nikodimos worked two years on Mogzitwa, and it is a film that rewards careful watching. In addition to being an astute social commentary and top-notch drama, Nikodimos is living proof that with talent, and even more important, with determination and perseverance, you can make your dream a reality.