Versatile Nigerian producer-director-actor, Kunle Afolayan’s latest crime drama work, “October 1” is set to make its USA premiere at the Cultural Confidence event presented by The Nollywood Diaspora Film Series, which is a platform for Nigerian films to be showcased for international audiences.
According to a report by IndieWire, the film was produced by his Golden Effects production company, “October 1” is set in 1960, against the backdrop of Nigeria’s independence, and is said to be of the serial killer genre.
The show is written by Tunde Babalola and is described thus: “… A psychological thriller detailing the activities of a northern police detective, Dan Waziri who was posted to the western region to unravel the mystery behind a series of female murders in the community. He soon discovers that the prime suspect is Aderopo, the prince of the community. Waziri, however does not have plenty of time as he is expected to bring the Prince to book before the Nigerian flag is raised on October 1.”
“October 1” stars Sadiq Daba, Kehinde Bankole, David Bailie, Kayode Olaiya, Nick Rhys, Fabian Lojede, and Demola Adedoyin.
Afolayan’s last film, the romantic-comedy “Phone Swap,” a film we also covered, screened internationally, in 2012, and is available via digital platforms currently.
And the film he made before that, the thriller, “Araromire” (“The Figurine”), is now available for streaming online on streaming sites like Ndani.TV, which features primarily Nollywood cinema – or what the founders call “the best of New Nollywood as well as the classics.”
Please find below the film’s full trailer, and poster. Afolayan talked about the film (made with a reported $2 million budget), the Nollywood and Nigerian film industry overall, producing films that can compete on the international film stage, specifically at an acclaimed festival like Cannes. He also talked about his struggles in getting a general release for his last film, “Phone Swap,” outside of Nigeria, despite festival play around the globe, as well as general struggles in getting films made in Nigeria.
