In a major step towards bringing ODIGBOSE, an epic film centred on the history of the Atlantic slave trade from an African perspective, to the screen, leading figures in Nollywood production gathered at La Campagne Tropicana Forest River and Beach Resort, Lagos, for a high-level pre-production meeting with Tourism Icon Otunba Dr. Chief Olawanle Akinboboye, the storyteller behind the project.
The roundtable meeting focused on the vision, production modalities, locations and creative direction required to transform ODIGBOSE into a world-class film capable of attracting global attention.
The Nollywood team, upon arrival at the 65-acre La Campagne Tropicana Forest River and Beach Resort, was treated to an exotic buffet lunch before embarking on an exclusive tour of the resort, which will serve as one of the selected locations for the production.
Among the industry professionals at the meeting were Idowu Adedapo, Director of Photography; Adebayo Sadiq, Production Manager; Afolayan Olatunji Joseph, Art Director; Emma Blaq (DGN), Director/Producer; Uvie Enakarhire, First Assistant Director/Scheduler; Pius Olamilekan Fatoke, Sound Recordist; Ojukwu Emeka Torino, Logistics Manager; Oluwole Olawoyin, Head Gaffer; and Nojeem Ajala Akani, Key Grip.
Speaking during the meeting, Akinboboye provided background on the inspiration behind ODIGBOSE, revealing that the idea was conceived more than 25 years ago.
He explained that his motivation came during an initiative organised through his Motherland Beckons project, when he hosted more than 40 mayors from the United States alongside Marlon Jackson of the Jackson 5 fame.
“About 25 years ago, I had the opportunity through an initiative of mine, Motherland Beckons, to host over 40 mayors from the United States of America, along with Marlon Jackson of the Jackson 5 fame. It was while hosting them that they expressed their concern about the story of the slave trade in Africa, wondering about the lack of a story about it from Africa.
“It was from there that I got the inspiration to give an authentic African narrative of the story of the slave trade, which has never been done before.”
Following Akinboboye’s presentation, members of the production team raised questions about the long gestation period of the project, particularly why the Tourism Icon waited 25 years before moving ahead with the production.
Responding, Akinboboye said the delay was deliberate, stressing that a historical project of such magnitude must be properly researched, developed and executed.
“What is worth doing is worth doing well,” he said, noting that a film of such historical importance could not be adequately produced within a few weeks.
According to him,
“A painstaking narrative of a historical phenomenon like the over 400-year-old slave trade needed time to be put in proper perspective and handled by the right hands.”
He also spoke extensively about his collaboration with renowned Nigerian screenwriter Tunde Babalola in developing the ODIGBOSE script, stressing the importance of getting the timing, atmosphere, historical context and storytelling right.
Akinboboye further highlighted the global population of people of African ancestry and the growing interest in African history, noting that millions of people around the world would be interested in an authentic African narrative that explores how and why the transatlantic slave trade became possible.
He also shared his creative vision for the film, including ideas on its visual presentation and plans to use carefully selected locations across Africa to recreate key elements of the historical story.
The Nollywood veterans, in turn, expressed appreciation to Akinboboye for entrusting them with the production, describing ODIGBOSE as a major project that requires the expertise of some of the industry’s most experienced professionals.
They said the perspective of the slave trade story presented by Akinboboye was different from narratives they had previously encountered and expressed their readiness to commence the necessary pre-production work.
“We are willing and privileged to be called upon at this time to be part of this great epic film production,” the professionals said individually.
The meeting marks another significant step towards the production of ODIGBOSE, with the team now set to advance the pre-production process for the ambitious historical film.
