On 7 January 2002, I arrived in Cape Town to formally study film. Two weeks later, I found myself captivated by an ad for a show on SABC1. The trailer was gritty, authentic, and something about it felt familiar. I waited in front of the TV for six hours until the show, YIZOYIZO, aired. Watching it was a life-changing moment. The show opened my mind to the possibilities of telling African stories set in urban environments, utilizing every cinematic tool available to a filmmaker. What impressed me the most was the fact that it was shot on a digital format.
I had always been told that you could only achieve such texture and emotion using a film camera. My desire to express how I felt about the environment I came from led me to Cape Town in the first place, and YIZOYIZO confirmed that I was on the right path.
My journey as a filmmaker has been about more than just creating fictional characters or worlds. Every character, location, lighting choice, camera angle, music score, cut, and grade in my work is deeply personal—rooted in my own experiences and those of the people I’ve met. Even though many Nigerian filmmakers shy away from these gritty realities, the stories I tell are authentic, shared by many, and deserving of attention. These nuances need to be explored and expressed.
Creating worlds has always been a challenge for Nigerian filmmakers, especially given the limitations of budget and resources. When I embarked on a project like Inside Life, I envisioned endless resources to bring my vivid world to life. However, budgetary constraints and the need to build a new team presented obstacles I hadn’t anticipated.
The biggest challenge, though, was personal—reconciling my past and the trauma of those around me. Crafting characters that mirrored people I love, people who have experienced pain, and those who I have long disliked, forced me to develop empathy. Over time, I realized that we have normalized trauma, and confronting this was pivotal in telling the stories that need to be shared.
Cast:
- Magdalene Otanwa
- Gabriel Afolayan
- Zack Orji
- Jide Kosoko
- Scarlet Gomez
- Chioma Ijeoma Omeruah
- Aino Gold
- Rotimi Adelegan
- Abimbola Kazeem
- Uzoamaka Onuoha
- Tonia Chukwurah
- Princess Obuseh
- Racheal Emem Isaac Udoh
- Justin Miracle
- Taye Arimoro
- Egu Chisom Sylvia
- Ndah Gift Eno
- Florence Okechukwu
- Ayoade Elizabeth B
- Akinola Akano
- David Peter
Crew:
- Clarence A Peters – Director/D.O.P/Story
- Abidemi Akinmola – Executive Producer