Eyimofe wins big at AMAA 2021

“This is Cinema that wears its influences on its sleeves. Eyimofe is that rare thing.” When the New Yorker spoke about this new flick from the fraternal duo, Chuko and Arie Esiri, it was evident that the film was something beyond just entertaining. And with its recent sweep at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) in Lagos, where it clinched five awards is testament of the film’s star power.

Typically woven with a narrative around emigration and the utmost survivalist nature of capitalism, Eyimofe (This Is My Desire) is a story that arrests attention with not just its emotive, satirical plot, but also its artsy celluloid-based cinematography, gripping sound design, as well as a remarkable pacing.

At the AMAAs, the film beats other avant-garde movies such as Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story, Ayinla, The Citation, Omo Ghetto: The Saga, La Femme Anjola, Collission Course, and Shadow Parties, among others to clinch the prestigious Best Nigerian Film award. It also goes ahead to win the Best Feature Film By A Director, Achievement in Sound, Achievement in Editing awards.

Cementing its wins, the movie also saw the twin brothers bag the Best Director award, beating other brilliant filmmakers such as Gilbert Lukalia of Mission To Rescue, Ryan Kruger of Fried Barry, Khadar Ahmed of The Gravedigger’s Wife.

It rained accolades all night for the GDN-studios flick, which has also won several international awards including the Distribution Support Award at the 35th Belfort Film Festival in France, Best Fiction and Best New Filmmakers awards at the São Paulo International Film Festival, among others.

“I think it is great that the film was recognised by the African Movie Academy. It proves that there is space for less commercially orientated work on the continent,” co-director of the film, Chuko Esiri, who received the award, said.

Likewise, his twin brother and co-director, Arie Esiri noted that, “I think Nigeria has been ready for a film like Eyimofe for a while and it’s about time we see ourselves and our reality reflected on screen.”

Fully financed in Nigeria and shot on 16mm, Eyimofe, which had its world premiere at the 2020 Berlin International Film Festival, is the first film from GDN Studios. Directed by twin brothers, Arie and Chuko Esiri and produced by Melissa O. Adeyemo, executive producers include Maiden Alex Ibru, Toke Alex Ibru, Olorogun Oskar Ibru, Kayode Akindele, and Ifeoma Esiri.