Preview 'Oblivion' (Based On Real-Life Legal Case That Outlawed Marriage Abductions In Ethiopia)

Written and directed by Zeresenay Mehari, the arresting story for Oblivion, a feature length scripted film, is based on a true story about the legal-precedent-setting court case that outlawed the practice of abduction for marriage in Ethiopia – also referred to as "Telefa."

It tells the story of a 14-year old girl named Aberash Bekele who was accused of murder after killing the 29-year old man who raped, beat, and abducted her in an attempt to marry her.

Aberash was charged with murder and kept in prison without bail until a female lawyer named Meaza Ashenafi heard about the case and decided to represent Aberash. 

With immense odds against them, the 2 women fought a harrowing drawn-out legal battle over a two-year period that would eventually change the lives of Ethiopian women forever.

With 2/3 of a $375,000 budget raised, Oblivion began production in Ethiopia, in June, shooting on 35mm film, thanks to support from a production package from Panavison Cameras, Pipeline Production, the Ministry of Culture Ethiopia, and others, including a successful campaign that raised almost $40,000 of that budget, earlier this year.

No ETA yet on when the final film is expected to make its debut, but likely not until some time in 2013.

Watch a promo for the upcoming film below, which summarizes the grievous real-life story of Aberash: