Before I begin this article, I think we can all agree that there are some movies you as an African child (whether in your teens or adult age), cannot and wouldn’t dare to watch with your African parents, except you are up to something. Even if you have the coolest parents, as long as the African blood flows through them, you better be thinking straight before you get so cozy in front of the TV with them!
Now that we are on the same side of the couch, let’s dive into this topic.
Have you ever felt awkward while watching some kind of movies with your African Parents?
Or
Have you had a hard time trying to select movies to watch with your African parents during family time and you don’t want to accidentally set yourself up?
Lol.
That’s alright. Feel free to admit it. This is not particularly a topic we discuss randomly, so today, we are going to dissect it together!
Selecting movies to watch with your African Parents can be a real chore for some funny reasons.
- You don’t want them to Judge you wrongly.
Imagine watching a movie that has lots of kissing and sensual scenes with your African Parents. Eii! Who are you trying to fool? If you like, be over thirty. As long as your parents are still on this planet and interestingly enough, in front of the screen with you, you better not be watching “rubbish”. You can’t outgrow smacking or bad eyes from them, so do your best to pick something that won’t earn you any of those.
- You don’t want them to drag you.
You are choosing a movie that has marriage and relationship palava in it? Lmao! Just say you have found a life partner and you are genuinely ready to settle down because I don’t know why you chose Piano Love. You decided to watch Odogwuand his Achalugowhen you work from home, barely cross your gate and your love live is screaming Help!! We know you don’t want to be dragged, so choose something that will not make your mum add more Asoebi colors to the ones she already has.
- You don’t want awkward moments.
I’m pretty sure you don’t want to be shifting on your seat and pretending to be looking at your phone when we both know that you are avoiding being dragged into the commentary your mum is making about the movie (you singlehandedly chose). You chose a movie that boldly has African Parents trigger scenes in it and now, your phone is your new focus? You better take that moral lecture you indirectly asked for.
- You definitely don’t want drama or a reminder of something you have done.
You know your parents would have preferred you actually practiced the Law you studied but you have made peace with being a graphic designer and a content creator and you decide to put a movie where the lead actor is working in a big Law firm and ends up being promoted to Senior Advocate level. Hehe! It seems you would have to dust your wig and gown and hit the streets again because why!!
Anyways, I got you!
As a young African adult, to avoid being the center of the screen gist, here are some easy ways to select movies to watch with your African parents.
Best Ways to Select Movies to watch with your African Parents
- Preview it on your own first.
- Choose funny movies you can all laugh about.
- Be sure it doesn’t have any drama you are trying to avoid.
- Don’t choose overly long movies. It gets boring.
- Keep the air light so that the movie themes are relatable to everyone.
Now you that have ideas on how to select the movies, here is a curated list on the kind of movies you can choose.
Comic movies will tickle their fancy (and maybe yours too).
What’s family time without loads of laughter? If you choose comedy movies that are infused with family morals and values, it’s a win win for everybody. If everybody is rolling on the floor every five minutes, nobody will remember that you are supposed to screaming My lord! May I! in court and you can enjoy your graphic design in peace. One fine example is Aki and Paw Paw.
A little action won’t hurt nobody.
Action movies have a way of making people concentrate so much. There’s this direct focus it brings. Everybody just pays attention to the screen. No time for side talks or thoughts either. Try it! It is also bonding in its own way. At least, you and your African parents can agree that the jumping stunt in the movie is a film trick! Feel free to engage them in Silverton Siege.
Alright! Okay! A little Love don’t hurt nobody.
If you are sure you can withstand the marriage questions (maybe somebody is already serious about you), bring out the Love movies! Love is sweet whether we agree or not. It’s even sweeter when you are getting it from your Parents and loved ones, so whether they are lobbying you to give them grandkids or an in-law, we know it’s from a good heart. Feel free to add Love movies to your movie selection. Fear Not! Okay, just don’t pick the ones that have people tangling their mouths together. If you do, good luck pretending to be pressing your phone. A Soweto Love Story is just perfect.
Village Drama
As an African child, you know this would do the trick any day! Give your parents something exciting to watch. Village drama movies are always intriguing in their own way. It reminds your parents of the good old days and it earns you some stories about the village you didn’t know about. This is also balanced for all parties. Your parents get to reminisce over their youthful days and you? Maybe it just makes you wonder what being in a masquerade costume would have been like. Still, all parties are happy! Treat them to the wonders of Seven Doors.
Movies surrounding Colonization and Decolonization.
Movies surroundings themes of colonization and decolonization is definitely is a great pick. Considering the fact that most African parents lived through the colonial era and participated in decolonization activities, they can easily relate to movies of the kind. In case you also needed some pointers in your history or government lessons, you can get a free pass here. You are sure getting firsthand undiluted stories from your parents. Get cozy and enjoy Hijack 93.
Summary
Just before we wrap things up, know this and know peace: You cannot satisfy your African Parents. If you like, use the most microscopic research methods in selecting movies to watch with your African Parents, they will still have something to say and it will involve you. I mean, if they don’t, who will? It’s all love, you know! Just select something they would love and you all can comfortably enjoy!
Let’s wrap this up.
In my opinion, selecting movies to watch with your African parents shouldn’t be that serious. Just choose something funny!
Asides from what we have listed above, what other kind of movies would you select to watch with your African Parents? Share your thoughts with me!