At the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival Abba T. Makama’s “Green White Green” enjoyed positive reviews from film critics and fans that saw the film at one of the most respected film festivals in the world.
Many Nigerians did not get the chance to watch the work that he had created because cinema exhibitors did not think it would be a commercial success. Months later, it was on Netflix and enjoyed good reviews from the audience that were eager to see what the excitement from TIFF was about.
Exactly three years after Abba T. Makama made the acclaimed debut at TIFF, he will be premiering his second feature at the Film Festival. ‘The Lost Okoroshi’
The Lost Okoroshi is a kinetic and vibrant comedic drama about a security guard who sees a series of visions from his ancestors that eventually lead to him morphing into a traditional Okoroshi Masquerade.
Speaking about the film, the director states: “I’ve always been fascinated with masquerades. They exist in almost every country and are universal in appeal. The idea that by putting a mask on a human could suddenly turn them into a spirit has always fascinated me. I want Africans to keep in touch with their cultures and traditions and globalization makes it increasingly difficult for us to connect with our past. Masquerades have generally been demonized and considered bad omens in western religions. With this project I aim to change the narrative and reintroduce the masquerade as a colorful, playful and benign entity.”
The film stars Seun Ajayi, Chiwetalu Agu, Judith Audu, IfuEnnada, Tope Tedela, among others.
The movie follows Raymond Obinwa through the irreversible change that forces him to give up his job and family and begin a metaphysical journey through the streets of Lagos. He begins a mission to reconnect Nigeria’s ancient past to its present moment, seemingly guided by its ancestors themselves.
Watch the trailer below:
