Ìfé

Last updated

Ìfé
Ife (film poster).jpeg
Directed by Uyaiedu Ikpe-Etim
Story byUyai Ikpe-Etim
Pamela Adie
Produced byPamela Adie
StarringCindy Amadi
Uzoamaka Aniunoh
Production
company
Equality Hub Production
Release date
  • October 11, 2020 (2020-10-11)(Toronto LGBT Film Festival) [1]
Running time
38 minutes
CountryNigeria
LanguagesEnglish
Yoruba

Ìfé also spelt as Ife (English: Love) is a 2020 Nigerian LGBT romantic film executive produced by prominent Nigerian LGBTQ rights activist Pamela Adie and directed by Uyaiedu Ikpe-Etim. [2] The film is touted to be the first full fledged lesbian film in the history of Nollywood. However some sources stated that it is also the first Nigerian LGBT film. [3]

Contents

The film revolves around the lives of a same sex women couple who also face challenges by being lesbians in Nigeria. [4] With the release of the official trailer of the film on YouTube in July 2020, the film is expected to be released via internet possibly at the end of the year. [5] [6] The film raised concerns and publicity among Nigerians for the film genre coupled with the trailer reception.

Cast

Production

It was revealed that the script was penned as a romantic story between two females and the project was initiated jointly by Uyai Ikpe-Etim and Pamela Adie in collaboration with the Equality Hub, an NGO which operates in Nigeria focusing on LGBT rights. The film was set to break the stereotypes faced by the Nollywood industry which historically failed to live up to the expectations of portraying the LGBTQ elements. [7]

Censorship

The film dealt with censorship issues during its production phase due to its genre related to LGBTQ. the film production and principal photography was not meant to be smooth for the filmmakers due to the interference of National Film and Video Censors Board which threatened and refused to approve the film for the theatrical distribution. [8] Prior to the release of the official trailer in July 2020, it was noted that the film was not submitted by the filmmakers to the NFVCB.

The theatrical interpretation of LGBT in Nigeria is regarded to be controversial. The same sex relationship is considered as a serious offense in Nigeria and a punishment of 14 years imprisonment is imposed if found guilty. The Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act of 2014 was passed by former President Goodluck Jonathan which terms same sex marriages and LGBT as illegal. [9]

Adedayo Thomas, the executive director of NFVCB in an interview with CNN insisted that the Board would not approve films which promote themes and portrayal of elements that do not conform with Nigeria's values, beliefs, morals, traditions and constitution. [10] The NFVCB also issued warnings and threats stating that it would track the LGBT filmmakers in Nollywood following the production of Ife. [11]

Release

Though the film wasn't banned officially by the NFVCB, the film is scheduled to be released via online platforms instead of a theatrical release to avoid the censorship issues and due to the uncertainties brought by the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. [12] The filmmaker Adie revealed that the film will not be streamed via YouTube and revealed that the film would be streamed through their own platforms. [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nse Ikpe-Etim</span> Nigerian actress (born 1974)

Nse Ikpe-Etim is a Nigerian actress. She came into prominence in 2008 for her role in Reloaded. She was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 5th and 8th Africa Movie Academy Awards for her role in Reloaded and Mr. and Mrs., respectively. In 2014, she won the Best Actress in a Drama award at the 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) for playing "Nse" in Journey to Self.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kunle Afolayan</span> Nigerian actor, director and producer (born 1975)

Kunle Afolayan is a Nigerian actor, producer, and director. He is credited for elevating the quality of Nollywood movies through larger budgets, shooting on 35mm, releasing in cinemas, and improving cliché Nollywood storylines. After starting his film career as an actor in the 1999 political drama Saworoide, Afolayan made his directorial debut in 2006 with Irapada, a Nigerian supernatural thriller, which won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Film in an African Language. His subsequent directing credits include The Figurine, Phone Swap, October 1, and Citation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Iyke</span> Nigerian actor

James Ikechukwu Esomugha, popularly known as Jim Iyke, is a Nigerian actor and one of the stars of the movie Last Flight to Abuja.

<i>Devil in the Detail</i> (film) 2014 film directed by Shirley Frimpong-Manso

Devil in the Detail is a 2014 Ghanaian-Nigerian romantic thriller film directed by Shirley Frimpong-Manso starring Nse Ikpe Etim and Adjetey Anang. It premiered at Silverbird Cinemas, Accra, Ghana, on 14 February 2014. The film tells the story of a happily married couple whose relationship is torn apart by infidelity.

<i>Kiss and Tell</i> (2011 film) 2011 Nigerian film

Kiss and Tell is a 2011 Nigerian romantic comedy film, produced by Emem Isong and directed by Desmond Elliot. It stars Monalisa Chinda, Joseph Benjamin, Desmond Elliot, Nse Ikpe Etim, Uche Jombo and Bhaira Mcwizu. Though the film was a commercial success, it was met with mixed to negative reception.

<i>Heavens Hell</i> Film

Heaven's Hell is a 2019 Nigerian psychological intdrama film, produced and directed by Katung Aduwak; it stars an ensemble cast which includes Nse Ikpe Etim, Fabian Adeoye Lojede, Bimbo Akintola, Chet Anekwe, Damilola Adegbite, OC Ukeje, Kalu Ikeagwu, Femi Jacobs, Bimbo Manuel and Gideon Okeke. It is majorly financed by BGL Asset Management Ltd and One O Eight Media, with production support of other partners such as Hashtag Media House and Aberystwyth University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blossom Chukwujekwu</span> Nigerian actor

Blossom Chukwujekwu is a Nigerian actor, who made his professional acting debut in 2009. In 2015, he won the Best Supporting Actor Award at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.

<i>The Visit</i> (2015 Nigerian film) 2015 Nigerian romantic comedy thriller film

The Visit is a 2015 Nigerian romantic comedy thriller film directed by Olufunke Fayoyin and produced by Biodun Stephens. The film, which is a four-cast movie, stars an ensemble of Nse Ikpe Etim, Femi Jacobs, Blossom Chukwujekwu and Bayray McNwizu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tope Oshin</span> Nigerian television and film director, producer, and casting director

Tope Oshin is a Nigerian television and film director, producer and casting director, listed as one of the most influential Nigerians in film in 2019. In 2015 Pulse magazine named her as one of "9 Nigerian female movie directors you should know" in the Nollywood film industry. and in March 2018, in commemoration of the Women's History Month, Tope was celebrated by OkayAfrica as one of the Okay100 Women. The interactive campaign celebrates extraordinary women from Africa and the diaspora making waves across a wide array of industries, while driving positive impact in their communities and the world at large.

<i>A Trip to Jamaica</i> 2016 Nigerian comedy drama film

A Trip to Jamaica is a 2016 Nigerian comedy drama film directed by Robert Peters starring Ayo Makun, Funke Akindele, Nse Ikpe Etim and Dan Davies (actor). The film tells a story about the adventures of a newly engaged couple in their relatives residence outside Nigeria, and how the secrets of their host led to the eventual breakup of their union amidst the culture shock of the new country and living with upper-class citizens. Though a huge box office success, breaking the record set by 30 Days in Atlanta for the highest-grossing Nigerian film, it received mainly mixed to negative reviews from critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uche Odoh</span> Nigerian photographer, filmmaker and model (born 1989)

Uche Odoh is a Nigerian filmmaker, photographer and model who became popular by joining the 2007 edition of the Amstel Malta Box Office Competition.

Pascal Amanfo is a Nigerian film director, based primarily in the Ghana film industry.

<i>New Money</i> (2018 film) 2018 Nigerian comedy-drama film directed by Tope Oshin

New Money is a 2018 Nigerian film directed by Tope Oshin with production by Inkblot Productions and FilmOne. It tells the story of a sales girl who dreams of becoming a fashion designer and subsequently receives an unexpected inheritance from her absentee father. Released in March 2018, it stars Jemima Osunde, Kate Henshaw, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Dakore Akande, Wale Ojo Osas Ighodaro and Falz d Bahd Guy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eddy Young</span> Nigerian film maker

Edward Young is a Nigerian filmmaker known for his debut production film Kasanova that became a box office success as the highest grossing Nigerian film in September 2019. He was recognized by the Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II in 2020 for his contributions in the Nollywood sector.

Pamela Adie is a Nigerian LGBT rights activist, public speaker, screenwriter and filmmaker. Pamela is hailed as a prominent public speaker advocating for LGBTQ community and has often raised her voice on empowering LGBTQ community in Nigeria. Her research and works about LGBT rights in Nigeria have featured in several LGBT anthology series. She rose to prominence with her directorial debut Under the Rainbow which reflects her personal memoir. Her production venture Ìfé is deemed as Nigeria's first lesbian film. She is the executive director of non governmental organisation Equality Hub.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daniel Etim Effiong</span> Nigerian actor, scriptwriter and film director

Daniel Etim Effiong, also Daniel Etim-Effiong is a Nigerian Nollywood actor and film director.

Uyaiedu Ikpe-Etim is a Nigerian film producer, screenwriter and filmmaker, who creates works which tell the stories of Nigeria's marginalised LGBTQ communities. In 2020 the BBC included her in its list of the 100 Women of the Year.

<i>Sanitation Day</i> 2021 Nigerian crime-thriller film by Seyi Babatope

Sanitation Day is a 2021 Nigerian crime thriller film produced, written and directed by Seyi Babatope. The film stars Blossom Chukwujekwu, Elozanam Ogbolu, Charles Inojie and Nse Ikpe-Etim in the lead roles. The film is based on two inspectors who have the prime responsibility to uncover the details of four perpetrators regarding a brutal murder of a man before the eve of Sanitation Day. The film had its theatrical release on 29 January 2021 and opened to generally mixed reviews from critics. The film was also selected as one of the 6 Nigerian films in the final list by the Nigerian Oscar Selection Committee for the Oscar 2021 submissions but was nominated in final Oscar submissions list.

<i>The Wait</i> (2021 film) 2021 Nigerian drama film by Yemi Morafa

The Wait is a 2021 Nigerian faith-based drama film directed by Yemi Morafa and Fiyin Gambo, and produced by Tolu LordTanner The film stars Nse Ikpe Etim, Deyemi Okanlawon, Jimmy Odukoya, Ini Dima-Okojie, Meg Otanwa, Chimezie Imo and Aisha Sanni-Shittu in the lead roles. The film is based on God's Waiting Room, a faith-based book written by prominent Nigerian lawyer Yewande Zaccheaus. The film had its theatrical release on 30 April 2021 and received mixed reviews from critics.

<i>King of Boys: The Return of the King</i> 2021 7-part limited series directed by Kemi Adetiba

King of Boys: The Return Of The King is a television limited series directed by Kemi Adetiba. It was released on 27 August 2021 on Netflix as a sequel to the 2018 Nigerian crime political thriller film, King of Boys. Sola Sobowale and Toni Tones reprise their roles as Eniola Salami with Reminisce, Illbliss, Akin Lewis, Osas Ighodaro and Keppy Ekpenyong also reprising their roles. Additional cast members includes Nse Ikpe-Etim, Richard Mofe Damijo, Efa Iwara, Deyemi Okanlawon and Charly Boy.

References

  1. "'Ìfé' will have its world premiere in Toronto". 8 September 2020.
  2. "Here is all you need about 'Ìfé', a lesbian love story directed by Uyai Ikpe-Etim". Pulse Nigeria. 4 July 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  3. Olowoyo, Ghaniyah (8 July 2020). "Nigerian's First LGBTQ Movie, 'Ife', Set for Release". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  4. Salaudeen, Aisha (3 August 2020). "Nollywood film about two women in love tackles homophobia". The Philadelphia Tribune. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  5. "Nigerian lesbian love film to go online to avoid censorship board". Reuters. 21 August 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  6. "Nigerian lesbian love film to go online to avoid censorship board". NBC News. 24 August 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  7. Ike, Joanne (24 August 2020). "Nigeria's first lesbian movie, Ìfé, is set to change stereotypes » YNaija". YNaija. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  8. "'Ife', Nigeria's first lesbian movie, goes online to beat NFVCB". TheCable Lifestyle. 6 August 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  9. Desmond, Vincent (6 August 2020). "Nigerian's First Lesbian Love Story Goes Online to Beat Film Censors". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  10. Aisha Salaudeen (24 July 2020). "A Nollywood film about two women in love faces an uphill battle in a country where homophobia is rampant". CNN. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  11. "NFVCB threatens to track LGBT filmmakers in Nollywood". Pulse Nigeria. 8 July 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  12. "Nigerian's first lesbian love story goes online to beat film censors". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  13. "The official trailer for 'ÌFÈ' is here!". Pulse Nigeria. 14 July 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.