Ahead of its LA screening today at the Creative Artist Agency (CAA) headquarters, Mo Abudu, who executively produced and is credited for the film’s story, shared the first teaser for Oloture. The film, which tells the sad travails of Nigerian women trafficked and forced into prostitution, had its first private screening at the Filmhouse IMAX cinema in Lekki last month. And the reactions were positive.
The first teaser of Oloture features main cast Sharon Ooja, Sambisa Nzeribe, Omoni Oboli, and Beverly Osu in a depressing 21-second clip; check it out alongside the film’s official synopsis below.
Set in Nigeria, Òlòtūré is the story of a young, naïve Nigerian journalist who goes undercover to expose the shady underworld of human trafficking. Unused to this brutal environment, crawling with ruthless traders and pimps, Òlòtūré finds warmth and friendship with Blessing, Linda, and Beauty, the prostitutes she lives with. However, she gets drawn into their lifestyle and finds it difficult to cope. In her quest to uncover the truth, she pays the ultimate price – one that takes her to the verge of no return.
The film is directed by Kenneth Gyang (The Lost Café and Confusion Na Wa) and has a stellar cast featuring Blossom Chukwujekwu, Lala Akindoju, Omowunmi Dada, Wofai Fada, Omawunmi, Pearl Okorie, Ikechukwu Onanuku, and David Jones David.
On deviating from the usual merry stories that have brought her company unprecedented commercial success, Abudu has this to say about Oloture: “Despite this amazing commercial success, we wish to remain true to our purpose – to tell authentic African stories from an African perspective. Human trafficking and modern slavery have been one of the global stories with its own unique African twist and we felt compelled to tell it from a Nigerian angle. In doing so, we hope to humanize the victims and help international audiences to see beyond the headlines and into their very souls. At the same time, we hope that these characters are relatable to people in Nigeria and across Africa, creating more awareness of the poverty and desperation that feeds this miserable trade.”
Oloture is expected to tour the festival circuits before playing in cinemas nationwide, probably around December, which is Ebonylife Film’s favorite release month.