Ace director Kunle Afolayan has secured a major deal with Netflix to make three new films for the streaming platform. One historical drama, a folklore fantasy, and a character drama.
All three films will be shot in Nigeria as their stories are “diverse in genre, riveting in the storyline and more importantly… uniquely Naija!”
The first film, an adaptation of Nigerian critically acclaimed author Sefi Atta’s book “Swallow” is already in the works. The book, set in Lagos, follows the story of a young secretary in the mid-80s who after trying quick money-making schemes takes the advice of her friend to become a drug mule for traffickers.
The film will star Eniola Akinbo (Niyola), Deyemi Okanlawon, Ijeoma Grace Agu, Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha, Kunle Idowu (Frank Donga). Omotunde Adebowale (Lolo), Offiong Anthony (Thin Tall Tony), Joke Muyiwa, Eniola Badmus, Kelvin Ikeduba, Mercy Aigbe, Olusegun Akinremi also star. The little boy who went viral for his saying “Mummy please be calming down”, Oreofe Lawal will also star.
Sharing the huge news on his Instagram Kunle Afolayan wrote;
“Netflix + Kunle Afolayan = Three New Original Titles🍻
Big news guys! We’ve got not one, not two but THREE Netflix original feature films in different stages of production, coming to Netflix. Una sabi say naija no dey carry last abi? 😎”
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The official statement reads;
More Naija Stories from Kunle Afolayan Coming to Netflix!
There’s never been a greater time for us, where you have so many Nigerian stories being shown to the whole world!” – Kunle Afolayan, Nigeria’s leading director and producer.
It’s been five years since Netflix launched in Nigeria. Since then, we’ve been able to add a wide variety of Nollywood films and series. And build strong relationships with local creators like Kunle Afolayan. It’s been incredibly rewarding to bring his classics like The CEO, October 1, The Figurine and, most recently, Citation, to our members around the world. And shine a light on Nigerian culture, history, fashion, music, food and languages through his films.
Today, we’re excited to expand on that through a new partnership with Kunle to produce and premiere three new diverse films: a historical drama, a folklore fantasy and a character drama. All three will be set in Nigeria, the first of which will be an adaptation of Nigerian-American novelist, short-story writer, playwright and screenwriter, Seffi Atta’s third novel, Swallow about a naive secretary whom, after a series of career woes, considers her roommate’s offer to work as a drug mule in mid-1980s Lagos.”
For the full details on the Netflix deal, Director of Content for Netflix Africa Ben Amadasun sat down with Kunle Afolayan for a chat.
Watch the conversation here
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