DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AS THEME IN DESMOND ELLIOTT’S “KNOCKING ON HEAVEN’S DOOR” AND CHINWE EGUAGU’S “MR. AND MRS.”

ABSTRACT

The protection of minority or disadvantaged groups’ rights have recently occupied the front burner of critical discourses on the role of film in the society. There is ample research evidence that affirm the position that film is a major factor in the promotion of domestic violence across the globe. This study therefore investigated, how two Nigerian films – “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” and “Mr. and Mrs.” explore the delicate theme of domestic violence from the Nigerian perspective. To achieve its objective, the study adopted the content analysis method of research for the collection of its primary data for analysis, Result showed, among other things that, in “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” rather than promotes domestic violence, the film stands as an advocacy against violence, force and action that could cause harm to people in the society.  The study recommended that methods like trainings, workshops/seminars, should be set up for movie screenplays, writers and directors in the nation, and this workshop/seminars should focus on training filmmakers on the need to use film to advocate against socially despicable practices and values like domestic violence in Nigeria.