The BFI’s Film Hub Scotland has partnered with the Africa in Motion Film Festival for its Nollywood Nights strand on Sunday, 6 November in Glasgow. The strand will showcase the latest work from three of Nigeria’s most popular bright new directors: The Champagne Room (dir. Olumide Fadeyibi, 2016), a Scottish/Nigerian co-production bringing together interrelated stories and real life experiences of domestic violence, child abuse and human trafficking; The Road to Yesterday (dir. Ishaya Bako, 2015), which centres around a couple’s troubled relationship and intertwines moments of matrimonial bliss with episodes of profound heartache; and Kunle Afolayan’s The Ceo (2016), about five top-level employees who vie to out-do one another in a bid to be selected for the top job.
The Beyond Nollywood Weekender, which was curated by Nadia Denton, in association with the BFI’s popular African Odysseys strand, will take place from 18-20 November at the BFI Southbank in London. The Weekender will open with Green White Green: And All the Beautiful Colours in My Mosaic of Madness (dir. Abba T. Makama, 2016). A hilarious coming of age story, Green White Green is the first arthouse film of its kind from Nigeria and premiered at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival to much acclaim. The screening will be followed by an Afrobeats set with DJ Cuppy in the BFI Riverfront Bar.
One of Nigeria’s most sought-after actresses, “Screen Queen” Nse Ikpe-Etim (Reloaded, Journey to Self, Fifty) will discuss her career and the Nollywood star system in a special event taking place on Sunday 20, November. Ikpe-Etim has acted in over 20 films and was voted Best Actress at the Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards in 2014.
Exploring the history of the music scene of Lagos from highlife to juju and Afrobeat is guerrilla-style music documentary Faaji Agba (dir. Remi Vaughan-Richards). The film features Fatai Rolling Dollar, Alaba Pedro, SF Olowookere and Ayinde Bakare.
UK premieres of 14 short films will be shown over the course of the weekend including; The Women of Nollywood: Amaka’s Kin, (dir. Tope Oshin, 2016) an intimate look at the careers of a handful of female directors referencing the late doyen filmmaker Amaka Igwe; I Believe in Pink (dir. Victoria Thomas, 2016) a documentary about men who tattoo their lips pink in Lagos; futuristic animation The Golden Chain (dir. Buki Bodunrin, 2016); and No Good Turn (dir. Udoka Oyeka, 2015) a thrilling glimpse into the ramification of a deadly Boko Haram attack.
“I am thrilled that Beyond Nollywood is taking place as one of the BFI’s most far reaching seasons to date. The selection of films reflect new trends emerging from the Nigerian film space which are destined to take the African narrative to new places.” – Nadia Denton, BFI Beyond Nollywood Programmer
7 filmmakers will be present throughout the Beyond Nollywood Weekender to participate in post-screening Q&A’s, including Tope Oshin, Ishaya Bako, Remi Vaughan-Richards, Victoria Thomas, Sade Adeniran, Andy Mundy-Castle and Cherish Oteka.
The BFI’s BLACK STAR season, which will run until the end of the year, is the UK’s biggest season of film and television dedicated to celebrating the range, versatility and power of black actors. The season’s aim is to bring the work of black actors to a new generation of UK audiences, helping to reposition them and their performances in our collective memory.
BLACK STAR will be available to audiences everywhere in the UK; in cinemas including BFI Southbank, on BBC Television, on BFI DVD/Blu-ray and online via BFI Player until 31 December.
The full BLACK STAR Beyond Nollywood programme can be found here: https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/Online/beyondnollywood
List of Films being showcased throughout the Beyond Nollywood Weekender:
Green White Green: And All the Beautiful Colours in My Mosaic of Madness (dir. Abba T. Makama, 2016)
Gala Opening Screening Followed by a set with DJ Cuppy
Uzoma, Segun and Baba have just graduated from secondary school and are on summer break before going to university. Intrigued by a radical professor who is writing a book about the history of Nigeria they decide to make a movie and in the process embark on rollercoaster ride of self-discovery. With plenty of wit and satire, Green White Green sits at the vanguard of Nigerian arthouse cinema.
Faaji Agba (dir. Remi Vaughan-Richards, 2015)
A group of elderly Yoruba master musicians in Lagos, Nigeria were forgotten until Kunle Tejuoso, owner of Jazzhole Records created the Faaji Agba Collective. Kunle’s journey starts with Fatai Rolling Dollar, which leads him to others such as Alaba Pedro, SF Olowookere, Ayinde Bakare and more. From highlife to juju and afrobeat; Faaji Agba interweaves the history of the music scene of Lagos from the 1940’s to the present day.
The Nollywood Star – Nse Ikpe-Etim in Conversation
Nigerian screen queen Nse Ikpe-Etim is one of Nigeria’s most sought-after actresses. Known for her roles in popular Nigerian films such as Mr. And Mrs., Phone Swap and Fifty Nse has acted in over 18 films in nearly a decade in the industry. In 2014 she was voted Best Actress at the Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards. Taking inspiration from actors such as Joke Silva, Sophia Loren and Daniel Day Lewis; she describes herself as an ardent student of Stanislavski. Nse reflects on her career and the Nollywood star system in conversation with Nadia Denton.
Waiting for an Angel* Documentary Shorts
I Believe in Pink (dir. Victoria Thomas, 2016)
In a crowded market on the Lagos mainland, John runs a thriving beauty business making men beautiful by tattooing their lips.
Silent Tears (dir. Ishaya Bako, 2015)
How the ‘war’ on prostitution in the Nigerian capital of Abuja has led to the victimisation of innocent women.
The Women of Nollywood: Amaka’s Kin (dir. Tope Oshin, 2016)
An intimate look at the careers of a handful of female Directors referencing the late doyen filmmaker Amaka Igwe.
The Story Within (dir. Andy Mundy-Castle, 2015)
Photographers reflect on the process of bringing their creative vision to life.
A Man Called Dad (dir. Cherish Oteka, 2015)
4 London based fathers narrate their experiences, challenges and triumphs as parents.
The Gods Are Not to Blame* Narrative Shorts
The Golden Chain (dir. Buki Bodunrin, 2016)
Sole crew member Yetunde oversees Eko space station in a remote corner of the galaxy.
Mrs. Bolanle Benson (dir. Sade Adeniran, 2015)
60 year old Bolanle Benson has a secret rendezvous with her lover.
Honey (dir. Olu Yomi Ososanya, 2016)
A young girl promises to give a man a night to remember, but at what cost?
Imagine (dir. Comfort Arthur, 2015)
Imagine if your daughter was abducted on her way to school?
No Good Turn (dir. Udoka Oyeka, 2016)
Tensions are high as a doctor and police officer come to terms with the repercussions of a deadly Boko Haram attack.
Henna (dir. Ishaya Bako, 2015)
13 year old Reina has dreams but in her village young girls are married off at a young age. Will her voice be heard?
Ireti (dir. Tope Oshin, 2015)
Ireti has a life changing encounter in solitary confinement.
A Mother’s Journey (dir. Sade Adeniran, 2016)
As a child, Lola was abandoned by her mother. Now a parent herself, will Lola heal the hidden scars by meeting the woman who left her?
Meet the Parents (dir. Lonzo Nzekwe, 2016)
Visual montage inspired by American rapper Jay Z’s track of the same name.
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