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Nigerian immigrant's experience focus of Calgary-shot film

A screening of the film Treacherous Heart will be coming to the Cochrane area this month, shedding light on the pressures immigrants experience in their daily life. Hosted by Cooperative ESL Ministries, the film will be shown at 7 p.m.
Kathryn Fasegha, writer, director and producer of Treacherous Heart, laughs behind the scenes during the making of the film.
Kathryn Fasegha, writer, director and producer of Treacherous Heart, laughs behind the scenes during the making of the film.

A screening of the film Treacherous Heart will be coming to the Cochrane area this month, shedding light on the pressures immigrants experience in their daily life.

Hosted by Cooperative ESL Ministries, the film will be shown at 7 p.m. at the RockPointe Church on Jan. 25.

“It’s a very moving story with a lot of drama,” said Colleen Klatt, marketing and communications coordinator for the organization. “It’s a story everyone can relate to. Each of us is a part of community that has a global face.”

Treacherous Heart presents the story of a Nigerian-Canadian woman, Ngozi, who is struggling with her Nigerian parents and honouring her Nigerian heritage, while also honouring her Canadian culture.

When the young woman’s parents, who live in Nigeria, arrange her marriage, Ngozi finds herself facing a world of conflict as her she experiences the clash of the two cultures.

The film was directed, written and produced by Nigerian-born Kathryn Fasegha. This is her directorial debut in Canada.

Cooperative ESL Ministries has been working to help churches integrate newcomers. By screening Treacherous Heart, the organization aims to bring awareness to the issues immigrants face.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re a first-generation immigrant facing these pressures or a second or third, the pressures remain the same,” said Klatt. “Often, the issues put on the second or third generation are far more complicated.

“I think many immigrants who see this film will think it’s been written about them.”

The movie was filmed throughout Calgary and features a nearly complete cast of Calgary actors.

Tickets for the screening cost $15 each or $25 for two and can be purchased in advance at eslcooperative.ca or at the door. To learn more about Treacherous Heart, check out treacherousheart.com.

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