In a remarkable achievement for African cinema, the highly anticipated film ‘Love & Seclusion’ has been announced as an award recipient in the fiction feature category of the 2023 New York City Women’s Fund. The groundbreaking initiative, launched by the City of New York Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME), aims to address the underrepresentation of women and women-identifying artists in film, television, theatre, and music.
Directed by the talented and fast-rising filmmaker Orire Nwani, and produced by Josh Olaoluwa of Conceptified Media, ‘Love & Seclusion’ emerged as the sole African project among the four feature films recognized this year. With its captivating storyline and exceptional cast, the film stood out among numerous submissions.
Set against the backdrop of the pandemic, ‘Love & Seclusion’ delves into the life of Tola, a young wife residing in Lagos, who is determined to seize the opportunity presented by quarantine to conceive her first child. Unbeknownst to her, her husband harbors different intentions regarding starting a family.
The announcement of the grant was met with immense joy and gratitude from the film’s writer and executive producer, Clementina Ojie. Reflecting on the achievement, Ojie expressed her excitement and humility, stating, “I’m thrilled and humbled to be named a recipient of the 2023 NYC Women’s Fund. Not only is it an honor to be among the talented women creators and artists awarded the finishing grant, I’m also thankful to the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment for believing in me and helping me complete this project.”
Adding to the film’s appeal are the stellar performances of Efa Iwara and Tope Olowoniyan in the leading roles. The supporting cast includes Inem King, Olanrewaju Ayanwale, Jaybo Charles, Anthonia Okojie, and Odiah Emmanuel, who all contributed to the film’s immersive storytelling. The captivating visuals were captured by cinematographer Adebowale Raji, while line production duties were expertly handled by Roberta Orioma.
The New York Foundation for the Arts facilitated the finishing grant, which will provide essential support for the film’s post-production phase and ensure a highly anticipated New York premiere in early 2024. Audiences can expect ‘Love & Seclusion’ to captivate them with its poignant narrative, compelling performances, and insightful exploration of relationships and personal aspirations.
This remarkable achievement not only shines a spotlight on the extraordinary talent and creativity of the African film industry but also highlights the significance of initiatives such as the NYC Women’s Fund in promoting diversity and inclusion in the global cinematic landscape. ‘Love & Seclusion’ promises to be a significant milestone in African cinema and a testament to the power of storytelling to transcend boundaries and connect audiences worldwide.
