Cinema Kpatakpata, Netflix partner to produce Adieu, Salut

The production company behind acclaimed films Confusion Na Wa and the Lost Cafe, Cinema Kpatakpata, is working on Adieu Salut, a short film, which will premiere on Netflix.

The project, written and directed by Korede Azeez, is one of the six winners of ‘Netflix and UNESCO African Folktales Reimagined Competition’.

At the time of the announcement of winners in March, Netflix Director of Content in Africa, Ben Amadasun, said that thousands of entries were whittled down to 21 and then six.

“It’s evident that Africa is filled with amazing storytelling talent that is ready to share their different perspectives and celebrate Africa’s rich culture and heritage,” he noted.

Adieu, Salut is a lo-fi sci-fi story about a young girl who fights for control over her own fate. Set in the not-so-distant future, where everyone, except a small Fulani village, has been uploaded into a virtual world, the plot unfolds in a familiar but different world.

According to Azeez: “The film is the product of thoughts I had held for some time, so,when Netflix made the call for entries last year, it wasn’t too difficult finding the right material to form the basis of my reimagined folktale. I submitted my entry, I got the email months later, and here we are.”

Kenneth Gyang, founder of Cinema Kpatakpata, is the director of Blood Sisters and Oloture, said he was looking to give Azeez’s story ‘the care it deserved’, adding that post-production of the film is ongoing at Cinema Kpatakpata’s facility in Nigeria and finishing would be done in South Africa.

“Korede is a talented writer and Adieu, Salut is a remarkable project,” Gyang said.

“Cinema Kpatakpata has a slate of films to be produced over the next year and we are incredibly proud to have Korede’s film with Netflix as part of our exciting lineup.

“I’m looking forward to viewers’ reactions after Adieu, Salut debuts,” he said.

“It’s wonderful to be able to make a statement through the magical medium of film, especially on such a big platform as Netflix. This story is dear to me and I hope the audience loves it as much as I do.”