Filmmaker Laju Iren Premieres 'Onobiren: A Woman's Story' with Cultural Flair
Filmmaker and author Laju Iren has brought the vibrant culture of Nigeria's South-South region to the forefront with the premiere of her latest project, 'Onobiren: A Woman's Story', held recently in Lagos. The event, themed 'South-South Royalty', transformed the venue into a dazzling display of Niger Delta heritage, celebrating the rich traditions of Warri and beyond.
Inspired by Personal Roots and Women's Stories
As an Itsekiri woman, Iren shared her deep personal connection to the film, emphasizing the need for diverse representation in storytelling. 'As an Itsekiri girl myself, this speaks to the fact that women can be underrepresented in terms of storytelling and the kinds of stories women are told,' she explained. 'We see women in stories, but sometimes it's always the same kind of stories. I am also from what some might consider a minority tribe, and we are not really as represented as we should be.'
She highlighted that parts of the film were shot in her grandmother's village, Koko, a beautiful location that adds authenticity to the cultural depiction. 'It was just really nice to do something unique. We shot some of the scenes in my grandma's village, Koko. It's a beautiful place. So it was really nice to be able to represent the South-South in that regard,' Iren noted, adding that bringing different perspectives enriches Nigerian storytelling.
Challenging Gender Norms and Drawing from Life
The film aims to challenge gender norms and showcase the multifaceted layers of women's lives. Iren drew inspiration from her own mother, who was a teacher, tailor, and business-owner, as well as from other women she has encountered. 'I also drew inspiration from different aspects of life and from the lives of women whom I haven't even met,' she said.
She hopes the film will elevate women's stories, spark conversations around gender roles, and highlight resilience and hard work. 'Whatever I do, you are going to find elements of faith in it. Sometimes it might be very pronounced, other times it might not be as pronounced, but that's the beautiful thing about being a storyteller - the versatility and the ability to simply tell different stories to different people,' Iren remarked.
Star-Studded Cast and Their Perspectives
'Onobiren: A Woman's Story' features a talented cast including Ruby Akubueze, Bisola Aiyeola, Deyemi Okanlawon, Patience Ozokwor, Norbert Young, and Desmond Bryce. Akubueze, who plays the role of Roli, described her character as a determined woman facing life's difficulties. 'Roli is a very determined woman who faces life's difficulties, leaves her home to pursue a dream and finds greener pastures. Onobiren is going to inspire conversations around women's stories,' she said.
Desmond Bryce was drawn to the project by its unique visual elements and narrative. 'I was first intrigued when I got the script. When I read a script, a lot of times I begin to see pictures. I visually read scripts. I saw how it was different, how it involved water, fish and so on. So I was intrigued by the nature and the feel of the story when I first got the script,' he explained, noting the film's focus on a young woman's resilience.
Distribution and Future Prospects
Iren, who has previously distributed her work on platforms like Amazon Prime, YouTube, and airlines, discussed the strategic distribution of 'Onobiren'. 'Every time we make a film, we ask ourselves what the best mode of distribution would be for it and we wanted this film to reach the right audiences. It can only get better,' she stated. The film began screening in cinemas nationwide from yesterday, aiming to reach a broad audience and inspire further storytelling.
With its blend of cultural richness and women-centric themes, 'Onobiren: A Woman's Story' stands as a testament to the power of diverse narratives in Nigerian cinema, encouraging more filmmakers, especially women, to share their unique perspectives.
