Filming For Post Colonial Adaptation Begins

 

On Sunday, April 5, 2015, under the stylish direction of award winning theatre/TV/film director and screenwriter, Niji Akanni (Aramotu, Heroes and Zeroes), filming for ‘Shijuwomi’, a post colonial cinematic adaptation of Rasheed Gbadamosi’s book, Behold My Redeemer started amid high expectations.

Over pampered girl, Shijuwomi, travels to England to study but attempts suicide, prompting a decision to repatriate her home. At home, she is moved to an institution where she meets Dr. Ilori, a lecturer in Anthropology who eventually marries her. The marriage does not however provide the desired harmony and succor as Shijuwomi and Ilori are on a parallel scale of terms of interests, forcing her to make another suicidal attempt.

Emotive, intriguing and thrilling, Shijuwomi is riddled with love and conflict from start to finish. It is a cerebral metaphor for Nigeria as a nation state and many African countries whose dreams of Utopia after freedom from colonial powers have all but evaporated, leaving behind hopelessness and frustration.

Cast for the bespoke production include rising female actress, Judith Audu as the titular Shijuwomi, veteran actors, Ayo Lijadu and Bimbo Manuel, and a host of other acting talent, including Femi Adebayo, Olu Okekanye,  Tina Mba and Jude Chukwuka.

Niji Akanni, who has been described by commentators as Nigeria’s own Akira Kurosawa is the director. Akanni has written many award-winning films including Dangerous Twins and Playing Games, Saving Alero and Narrow Path. He has also featured as Director in many Reality TV shows in Nigeria - Amstel Malta Box Office (Season One, 2005), Big Brother Nigeria (2006) and The Apprentice Africa (2008).

The adaptation has received support from the Nigerian government’s Nollywood interventionist project; ProjectActNollywood’s Film Production Fund (FPF) and is being produced with the active collaboration of Ogun State Government.