Filming on Shijuwomi, a post-colonial cinematic adaptation of Rasheed Gbadamosi’s book, Behold My Redeemer, started on Sunday, April 5, under the stylish direction of award-winning theatre/TV/film director and screenwriter, Niji Akanni (Aramotu, Heroes and Zeroes).
Veteran filmmaker, Bayo Awala, is producing the film that features fast-rising actress, Judith Audu (as Shijuwomi), veteran actors Ayo Lijadu and Bimbo Manuel as leads.
It also starred Femi Adebayo, Olu Okekanye, Tina Mba, Jude Chukwuka and a host of other acting talents.
Adapted for the screen by the trio of Prof. Ola Rotimi, Dr. Femi Olugbile and Bayo Awala, the man behind the project (Awala) is neither new to adaptations nor directing. As a filmmaker, he acquired a lot of experience at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), where he directed such successful drama series as Village Headmaster, as well as independently produced series such as Winds against My Soul, Adio Family, By the Road Side, The Turning Wheel, The Young Ones, Jagua Nana’s Daughter, Tight Rope, Trauma and Doctors Quarters.
“This project has been in the works for over two decades. I have always being fascinated with this story since I first directed it on stage in 1969. Its thematic relevance, the tempo-spatial canvass against which the narrative plays out and an opportunity to increase the volume of works adapted from our rich literary traditions are some of the reasons we have decided to showcase this piece,” Awala said.
Renowned economist and accomplished art collector, Rasheed Gbadamosi, serves as executive producer for this project. Gbadamosi is the author of many short stories and plays for radio, television and the theatre, including Tree Grows in the Desert, Behold my Redeemer, Echoes from the Lagoon, and Sunset over Nairobi, which won first prize in Radio Netherlands Golden Windmill short story competition.
Shijuwomi has received support from the Nigerian government’s Nollywood interventionist project, ProjectActNollywood’s Film Production Fund (FPF) and is being produced with the active collaboration of Ogun State Government.
