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Nigerian Film Makes History at Venice Fest
9 Sep
Summary
- First Nigerian filmmaker debuts a feature film at Venice.
- Dear Ajayi explores sisterhood and tradition in 1990s Nigeria.
- The film prioritizes a Nigerian theatrical release post-festival.
Nigerian filmmaker Damilola Orimogunje is set to achieve a significant milestone as the first Nigerian director to present a feature film in the Giornate degli Autori competition at the Venice Film Festival. His sophomore directorial effort, 'Dear Ajayi,' will premiere this week.
The film, a Nigerian-German co-production, is written and directed by Orimogunje. It delves into the lives of two sisters, Ade and Titi Ajayi, in 1990s Southwestern Nigeria. Their contrasting existences under the roof of their late father's home become a focal point as old tensions resurface when their ailing mother joins them.
Orimogunje, inspired by his surroundings and films like Paweł Pawlikowski's 'Ida,' initially intended 'Dear Ajayi' as his debut. However, resource limitations in 2017 led him to first produce 'For Maria Ebun Pataki' (2020) and later contribute to 'All the Colours of the World Are Between Black and White' (2023), allowing him to grow as a filmmaker.
Beyond its festival debut, Orimogunje prioritized a theatrical release in Nigeria. Partnering with FilmOne Entertainment, 'Dear Ajayi' is scheduled for a nationwide release on November 13, aiming to reach Nigerian audiences sooner than typical festival-circuit films. Discussions are also underway to extend the release to other West African territories.
