EbonyLife Films and Creative Artists Agency (CAA) co-hosted a screening of Òlòturé at CAA’s Los Angeles headquarters in the United States recently. Guests included Hollywood influencers, writers, producers, agents and EbonyLife Films Executive Producer, Mo Abudu.
A bold step in a new direction for Nollywood, Òlòturé tackles the serious issue of human trafficking through a distinctive ‘art nouveau’ lens.
Set in Lagos, Òlòturé is the story of a young, naïve Nigerian journalist who goes undercover to expose the shady underworld of human trafficking. Unused to this brutal environment, crawling with ruthless traders and pimps, Òlòturé finds warmth and friendship with Blessing, Linda and Beauty, the prostitutes she lives with.
However, she gets drawn into their lifestyle and finds it difficult to cope. In her quest to uncover the truth, this rookie reporter pays the ultimate price – one that takes her to the verge of no return.
EbonyLife Films Executive Producer, Mo Abudu said that tackling a controversial, globally important topic like human trafficking was a challenge – but a necessary one. “Òlòturé explores a world very few people know anything about, and that had to be dealt with in a particular way,” she said.
“It’s not a documentary, but it addresses real issues most of our society doesn’t see, harnessing the talents of some of the country’s top actors and filmmakers to produce a film that is both intelligent and profound – and breaks bold new genre and stylistic ground for Nollywood,” she added.
The film promises to be a gripping one for audiences across the globe and hopes to lift the veil on an almost invisible crime at a time when so many young people, especially women seeking greener pastures, have little idea of just how dangerous searching for a better home can be.
This film will have particular appeal for audiences which are increasingly seeking out content that carries a social message while providing a riveting story, memorable characters and excellent production values. Abudu added, “We hope that Òlòturé will lead the charge in a bold new direction for narrative filmmaking in Nollywood, and take more Nigerian stories to the world.”