Nollywood is one of Nigeria’s greatest exports that has brought positive recognition to the country. The filmmaking industry has created brilliant work which serves as a source of entertainment and creates a sense of belonging for people all around Africa as well as Africans in the Diaspora. However, even with the immeasurable amount of talent the country produces, the hub of creativity seems to be in the South Western State, Lagos, with minimal focus on what the other states offer. This also translates to the types of stories we are exposed to, which end up being reiterations of lives with Lagos as the backdrop.
As a result, viewers are left to suffer through one too many shots panning the Lekki Ikoyi link bridge, with minimal diversification of stories and setting locations and specific elements which undoubtedly elevate films. There is a multitude of stories and places that would benefit from Nollywood’s attention, not only for the representation on screen but also for the potential skilled workers and talents that can be discovered and utilized.
In this article, we highlight 5 mainstream Nollywood films that have been shot outside Lagos.
The Figurine
This 2009 film directed by Kunle Afolayan, is a Nigerian thriller that follows two friends who find a figurine, which unbeknown to them is a goddess that grants 7 years of fortune and 7 years of misfortune to whoever comes in contact with it. The film was shot in Osun state, which brings authenticity to the presence of Yoruba traditional worshippers and the use of natural elements to further the story.
October 1
Nigerian Director Kunle Afolayan’s movie, October 1 was shot in Ondo State and Lagos State. The location of this film was essential to the plot as it was set in a colonial-era Nigerian village in 1960, and the setting hinged on the use of rural structures like mud houses, market squares, and traditional architecture to build on its story. Set in the backdrop of events leading up to the Nigerian Independence Day as Nigeria prepared for independence from the British in 1960, a seasoned police detective tries to find the serial killer slaughtering its young native women.
Up North
Inferring from the title, the movie Up North was shot in the Northern part of Nigeria, specifically Bauchi state. The movie is about a spoiled son forced to experience life without privilege during his NYSC placement year, where he eventually finds friendship and love and discovers the importance of hard work. The fun and romantic movie showcases the beauty of Bauchi State which is rarely seen in the media or attributed to states in Northern Nigeria.
Living in Bondage: Breaking Free
The 2019 box office hit Living In Bondage: Breaking Free, produced by Ramsey Noah was shot in Lagos, Owerri and Durban. In the 2019 sequel, Andy has become a pastor repenting from the mistakes of his past, while his estranged son lands into the clutches of the same occult group he was entangled with. The scenes shot at the Owerri location in the movie show a preview of Nnamdi’s life before he moved to Lagos for a chance for success.
The Milkmaid
Shot in Taraba State, the Milkmaid explores the life of terror inflicted upon victims of insurgencies. The film is about sisters who are upturned from their life together as milkmaids in Northern Nigeria and thrust into the existences of captivity and violence. The location of the film heightens the significance of the story it portrays, as Taraba state is one of the Northern states afflicted with insurgency in Nigeria.