After two years, A Hotel Called Memory will be screening in Nigeria come the close of September. The film was directed by Akin Omotoso and had it’s world premiere in August at the 6th BlackStar Film Festival where it won the Audience Award for the Favourite Overall Experimental Film.
Written and edited by Branwen Okpako, the film centers on Lola (Nse Ikpe Etim) who separates from her husband (Akin Omotoso) in Lagos. She seeks solace in Zanzibar hoping to forget the turbulent past, but it turns out easier said than done.
Produced by veteran actress and President of the International Women’s Society – Ego Boyo (Violated, Keeping Faith), the 49 minute feature has been selected to screen at the 2017 Lights Camera Africa!!! Film Festival holding this September 29 to October 1, 2017. The annual fest, which supports emerging African cineastes, will hold at the Federal Palace Hotel, V.I, Lagos.
Speaking on the project, Mmabatho Montsho (Generations, Rhythm City), a member of the cast said, “To shoot any film like this is amazing and gratifying as an actress‚ but to have people respond so well to the film is just humbling. I loved working on the project and with so many other talented people. I guess that passion came through.”
The director, Akin Omotoso, is popular for Jacob’s Cross, Man on Ground, and Tell Me Something Sweet among others. His film, Vaya, won three awards at the 13th AMAAs in categories for the Best Director, Best Achievement in Sound, and the Best Screenplay.
In a response to Lights Camera Africa!!! on the use of music in a film absent of any dialogue whatsoever, Akin Omotoso said, “We found a balance on how much music to use in the film, knowing that over-reliance on music is bad since the film is not a music video… The ambience sound of the beach plus the natural sounds of Lagos and the other two cities are well integrated because in the end, all we need is music that guides the audience in appreciating the movie.”
Filmed by Rob Wilson in Lagos‚ Zanzibar and Cape Town, A Hotel Called Memory stars Mmabatho Montsho (as Ayana), Abdi Hussein (as Harrison), Akin Omotoso (as Wale), Nse Ikpe Etim, and Nomzamo Mbatha (as Aya).
Watch the trailer here.
