Actress Faithia Balogun’s proactive resolution to create a biopic movie, like her colleagues who’ve profitable ones equivalent to ‘King of Thieves’, ‘Lisabi: The Rebellion’, ‘Ayinla’, ‘Bashorun Gaa’, and others, has been criticised.
The biopic ‘Efunroye: The Unicorn’, which focuses on Efunroye Tinubu, a strong Yoruba service provider and slave dealer from pre-colonial and colonial Nigeria, was greeted with criticism upon its announcement.
The movie, produced by Balogun’s Energy Housing Manufacturing, drew criticism for its topic, Efunroye Tinubu.
Some argue the movie glorifies a determine recognized for her involvement within the transatlantic slave commerce, and the truth that she shares the ‘Tinubu’ identify with Nigeria’s present president, Bola Tinubu, additional intensified the backlash.
On Wednesday, the 55-year-old actress teased her viewers with the movie’s poster on social media, although she withheld the discharge date. Her submit learn: “Energy. Commerce. Legacy. She was greater than a warrior; she was a ruler who rewrote historical past. ‘Efunroye: The Unicorn’ is coming to your screens quickly! Are you prepared?”
Nevertheless, the actress didn’t disclose the names of the opposite forged members within the film; the flyer confirmed that she portrayed the function of Efunroye.
Hours after the announcement, a wave of opposed reactions was directed in direction of the movie, which largely centres on Efunroye’s legacy as a slave dealer accused of promoting her folks for revenue.
Article Web page with Monetary Assist Promotion
Moreover, her shared surname with President Tinubu fueled hypothesis that the movie carries political undertones, particularly in mild of Nigerians’ ongoing financial challenges underneath his administration.
It’s unclear if President Tinubu is expounded to Efunroye in any means—traditionally, she married a number of occasions, together with into the Tinubu household.
Regardless of her prominence and the truth that Tinubu Sq. in Lagos is known as in her honour as a logo of resilience and entrepreneurship, her involvement within the slave commerce casts a protracted shadow.
With Mr Tinubu dealing with widespread criticism for the nation’s financial hardship, something related to him, together with Faithia’s upcoming biopic, appears to draw damaging consideration.
Some critics, notably on X, stated the movie is an try and align with the present administration. They identified that many celebrities who supported Mr Tinubu through the 2023 common election have since remained silent within the face of public discontent.
Criticisms
Some X customers expressed their dissatisfaction with the film within the following feedback.
No political affect
Responding to criticisms, Faithia clarified on her Instagram web page Thursday that the film was not supposed to have fun slavery. As an alternative, she emphasised its goal was to carry Nigerian tales to life on display.
She additionally addressed issues of political bias, stating that the movie was not affiliated with the Mr Tinubu-led authorities.
Faithia described the film as a inventive expression geared toward entertaining, educating, and sparking considerate conversations, not a political message.
In her phrases, “Efunroye: The Unicorn’ is neither a documentary nor a political assertion.”
She wrote: “Firstly, ‘Efunroye: The Unicorn’ isn’t a promotional piece supposed to glorify or whitewash a divisive historic determine like Madam Efunroye Tinubu. Nor does it carry any political intent or affiliation. This movie is only a piece of creative interpretation and storytelling. As a filmmaker, my aim is to carry Nigerian tales to life on display, and that is no exception.
“The film makes an attempt to current Madam Tinubu’s life in a balanced and nuanced means, showcasing her triumphs, challenges, and the complicated legacy she left behind. It isn’t an effort to reshape or glorify the historic narrative. Like all historic figures, Madam Tinubu’s story is layered, and this movie goals to seize each her strengths and controversies.
She famous that the reactions spotlight Nigerians’ deep ardour for his or her historical past and nation.
The actress expressed her gratitude to each loyal followers and non-fans for the film’s overwhelming assist.
“With over six million views on my submit, I don’t take your assist without any consideration—your curiosity and suggestions are really appreciated. Nevertheless, whereas inspiring, the fervour and feelings surrounding this undertaking (particularly on Twitter) have led to some misconceptions that I want to make clear”, she stated.
‘Efunroye: The Unicorn’
Faithia revealed that the movie is presently in its 114th stage of growth and pre-production. She expressed her dedication to telling the story in essentially the most genuine and impactful means doable.
She pressured the movie’s significance, including that she and her workforce diligently work to carry it to life with the utmost care and a focus.
Faithia stated, “As with every creative work, it attracts from historical past however takes inventive liberties to make the story extra partaking for contemporary audiences. By this movie, we will discover vital elements of our historical past, however it’s important to know that it stays a piece of fiction impressed by precise occasions.
“I deeply recognize the fervour this film has stirred, and I hope that when it’s launched, viewers will method it with an open thoughts and recognize it because the murals it was at all times supposed to be. Let’s proceed the conversations about our historical past and tradition, however let’s additionally keep in mind that movie, at its core, is a medium for storytelling and leisure. Thanks once more in your assist, and I stay up for sharing this undertaking with you quickly.”
Background
Efunroye was born within the Ojokodo forest space of Egbaland and emerged as a politically and economically influential determine in Lagos through the reigns of Obas Adele, Dosunmu, Oluwole, and Akitoye.
She performed a pivotal function in serving to the latter two Obas acquire political energy.
Efunroye married a number of occasions, along with her first marriage to an Owu man. It bore two sons. After her Owu husband died, she remarried the exiled Oba Adele Ajosun in 1833, who, whereas visiting Abeokuta, was allegedly charmed by Tinubu.
When married to Oba Adele, she leveraged her intensive connections to ascertain a affluent commerce community with European retailers. She handled enslaved folks, tobacco, salt, cotton, palm oil, coconut oil, and firearms. It’s believed that she owned over 360 private enslaved folks.
Efunroye handed away in 1887 and was interred within the Ojokodo Quarters of Abeokuta. In her honour, Tinubu Sq. in Lagos, Nigeria, was named after her, that includes a statue commemorating her legacy. A statue of Efunroye will also be present in Abeokuta, additional celebrating her important contributions.
Assist PREMIUM TIMES’ journalism of integrity and credibility
At Premium Occasions, we firmly imagine within the significance of high-quality journalism. Recognizing that not everybody can afford expensive information subscriptions, we’re devoted to delivering meticulously researched, fact-checked information that continues to be freely accessible to all.
Whether or not you flip to Premium Occasions for each day updates, in-depth investigations into urgent nationwide points, or entertaining trending tales, we worth your readership.
It’s important to acknowledge that information manufacturing incurs bills, and we take pleasure in by no means inserting our tales behind a prohibitive paywall.
Would you take into account supporting us with a modest contribution on a month-to-month foundation to assist keep our dedication to free, accessible information?
Make Contribution
TEXT AD: Name Willie – +2348098788999
