Ghanaian actor and filmmaker Kwadwo Nkansah, known as LilWin, broke down in tears while recounting the production crisis of his upcoming film Nzulezu: A Journey to Africa, after Nollywood stars refused to return to the set following three days of shooting. The refusal stemmed from their discomfort with the 40-minute boat journey to Nzulezu, a lagoon community in Ghana's Western Region where houses are built on stilts above water.
Filmmaker's Emotional Account of Production Setback
In a video shared online, LilWin described the unexpected setback that hit the production shortly after filming began. The Nigerian actors, reportedly uncomfortable with the water travel required to reach the location, asked that the production be moved elsewhere. However, LilWin explained that relocating was not feasible because the film's storyline was fundamentally tied to Nzulezu and its distinctive way of life.
“After three days of shooting the movie, all the stars said they would not return to the set or travel on the water again. They asked for the movie to be shot somewhere else, but the storyline was about Nzulezu, where people live on the water, and the entire story was based there. All the stars refused to go back on the water to continue shooting, and there was confusion,” he recounted.
Safety Concerns Linked to Junior Pope's Death
Despite his frustration, LilWin acknowledged that the actors had legitimate safety concerns. He linked their reluctance to the tragic death of Nollywood actor Junior Pope, who drowned in a boat accident in April 2024. “I don't blame the Nigerian stars because, not long ago, one of their colleagues drowned and died while shooting a water scene for a movie. So, to some extent, I understood their concerns,” he added.
Junior Pope died on April 10, 2024, after a boat carrying him and other crew members capsized on the River Niger in Delta State, Nigeria, as they returned from a movie location. Four other crew members also died in the accident. His death sparked widespread grief in the Nigerian film industry and renewed concerns about safety on movie sets, particularly during scenes requiring water travel.
Nzulezu Film Features Prominent Nollywood Stars
The film Nzulezu: A Journey to Africa features prominent Nollywood actors, including Kanayo O. Kanayo, Patience Ozokwo, Mike Ezuruonye, Charles Awurum, Zubby Michael, and Destiny Etiko. The production team had to travel by boat for approximately 40 minutes to reach Nzulezu, a community known for its houses built on stilts above a lagoon, which was central to the film's storyline.
The incident highlights the logistical and safety challenges filmmakers face when shooting in remote or water-based locations, especially in the wake of Junior Pope's death. The production's future remains uncertain as LilWin continues to navigate the actors' refusal to return to the set.
