Tiwa Savage’s new movie titled ‘Water and Garri’ which was premiered on Thursday was exclusively released in more than 240 countries on Friday by Prime Video.

Before the premiere, Tiwa Savage along with the cast and crew during a press briefing provided insight into the efforts and activities that berthed the film.

The movie was filmed in Cape Coast, Ghana, and directed by Meji Alabi, featuring Tiwa Savage as lead character as well as stars like Mike Afolarin, Andrew Bunting and Jemima Osunde.

Commenting on her switch from music to acting and film production, Tiwa said that it has been a dream for her to go into film production, disclosing that acting was even her first love before music.

She, however, said that looking back into when the project started and now, the lesson she said is: “We don’t have to stay on one thing and we do multitask excellently well.” She added that she hopes to use the project to prove that it was possible to do more than one thing and execute it excellently.

On how she would be balancing the two considering they are both time and energy consuming, she jokingly said that she would go for the one that pays more per time but said that she would balanced it effortlessly because she has the right people around her aside it would be about accepting the offers that make sense.

On her entry into film, she said that the team was very supportive though she was nervous at the beginning being my first outing. “So, the shift was not as difficult as I thought it would be,” she stated.

“Life is never black and white. There are ups and downs. Water and Garri has a global message, and it has resonated with both African Americans and people who are not of African descent. Do not be afraid to pursue your dream.
“Where Aisha’s coming from, you would never imagine that she could be anything. But she ended up being very successful as a fashion designer, but then she still went back home. So, I think the film can encourage anyone. I don’t care if you’re from the slums; all it takes is just that dream, and it definitely can happen. Whatever you put out, what you speak with your tongue, it has to—it will come back.”

The director of ‘Water and Garri’, Meji Alabi, also shared his thoughts on why he decided to shoot it as his first film aside from being a go-to music video veteran.

Alabi said: “When we were creating it (Water and Garri), we weren’t thinking about balance. We were thinking about telling the story in an exciting and relatable way. I am happy with what we have been able to achieve, and I can’t wait for everyone to see it.”

Executive Producer, Vanessa Ogbonna, shared Savage’s thoughts on excellence, as she pointed to the power of the female characters to navigate life as the most fascinating part of the movie for her.

The Executive Director, Jimi Adesanya recognised the movie’s cast for being supportive of each other and bringing the drama to life, applauding Savage for her financial investments, and the significance of shooting the movie at Cape Coast, Ghana.

“Tiwa bought a house in London before the film. She basically took part of her mortgage fund to finance the film project.”

“We may have built a reserve but we did not have enough. But we wanted to do it well because everything worth doing is worth doing well, especially as it is a first gift for us. It is literally putting your money where your mouth is.”

Adesanya noted that the fictional setting of the movie is a representation of West Africa’s unity. “That was a beautiful way for us to make our mark: the Cape Coast, which also signifies the door of no return—some of our black brothers and sisters were taken away from us to another part of the world many decades ago.

“That was a beautiful way for us to make our mark: the Cape Coast which also signifies the door of no return – some of our black brothers and sisters were taken away from us to another part of the world many decades ago.”

The premiere of the film was supported by the office of the Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima. Speaking at the briefing, the Special Assistant to the President on Digital and Creative Economy, Fegho Umunubo, stated that Federal Government’s support for the film’s premiere is evidence of its show of support for the creative industry.

He added that Tiwa Savage has committed a lot to the creative industry and so she deserved to the support to do more.
“We saw the need to support her, knowing how much it takes to move from music to film.”

According to him, the FG in partnership with Providus Bank has made available N5b to support creatives, especially those in the movie industry. He further said that applicants do not need to present collateral, disclosing that the first set of four beneficiaries had been picked and they would be getting a total sum of N1.4b.

On his part, the Special Assistant to the President on Arts, Culture and Digital Economy, Ayo Adeagbo, highlighted the present government’s several supports for the creative industry including formulating policies that would place the sector rightly. According to him, the government understood that no sector will thrive without good policies.

The ‘Water and Garri’ movie tells the story of Aisha (Savage), an ambitious fashion designer, as she returns to her native home after 10 years away in the U.S., following a family bereavement. At home, things have changed—violence has escalated and tensions have been high.
As she reconnects with family, old friends, and her past love, she must learn to live with her scars and confront the guilt she left behind.