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Eyimofe

This Is My Desire
Forum 2020
© Eyimofe LLC
The two parts of Eyimofe are entitled "Spain" and “Italy”. The European countries remain invisible as we follow the stories of Mofe, a factory technician, and Rosa, a hairdresser, in Lagos. A passport, photos and a visa form recurring, yet still marginal elements in each part of the film, which only touch briefly, while the daily lives of the protagonists are described in detail. Their misfortunes are not narrated in overly dramatic fashion and seem normal as such, sketching out the need to leave Nigeria and accompanying problems. At the bottom of the socio-economic ladder, status, money, gender, skin colour and family structures are inextricably connected. Eyimofe speaks of these entanglements with emphatic patience, which grow ever tighter. The longing for another life is but one thread in this complex mesh, a promise that floats above things and far away from them at the same time.
by Arie Esiri, Chuko Esiri
with Jude Akuwudike, Adetomiwa Edun, Temi Ami-Williams, Cynthia Ebijie, Toyin Oshinaike, Jacob Alexander, Fortune Nwafor, Chioma Omeruah, Bimbo Manuel, Sadiq Daba Nigeria 2020 English 116’ Colour World premiere

With

  • Jude Akuwudike (Mofe)
  • Adetomiwa Edun (Seyi)
  • Temi Ami-Williams (Rosa)
  • Cynthia Ebijie (Grace)
  • Toyin Oshinaike (Vincent)
  • Jacob Alexander (Peter)
  • Fortune Nwafor (Wisdom)
  • Chioma Omeruah (Mama Esther)
  • Bimbo Manuel (Clarence)
  • Sadiq Daba (Jakpor)

Crew

Director Arie Esiri, Chuko Esiri
Written by Chuko Esiri
Cinematography Arseni Khachaturan
Editing Andrew Stephen Lee
Music Akin Adebowale
Sound Design Randy Matuszewski
Sound Pius Fatoke
Production Design Taisa Malouf
Costumes Daniel Obasi
Make-Up Francisca Otaigbe
Casting Kemi Lala Akindoju
Assistant Director Monica Palmieri
Production Manager Jide Opoola Adewale
Producers Melissa O. Adeyemo, Arie Esiri, Chuko Esiri
Executive Producers Toke Alex Ibru, Olorogun Oskar Ibru, Salman Zoueihed, Ifeoma Esiri, Kayode Akindele
Co-Producer Adé Sultan Sangodoyin

Produced by

Ominira Studios

Kimiera Media

GDN Productions

Photos

Arie Esiri

Born in Warri, Nigeria in 1985. He studied Screenwriting and Directing at Columbia University School of the Arts. Esiri works as a producer and directs commercials. Eyimofe is his first feature film.

Filmography

2017 Goose; Shortfilm, co-directed by Chuko Esiri

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2020

Chuko Esiri

Born in Warri, Nigeria in 1985. He has an MFA in Screenwriting and Directing from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Film Program. Eyimofe is his first feature film.

Filmography (short films)

2017 Goose · Goose; Shortfilm, co-directed by Arie Esiri 2018 Besida · Besida; 12 min., Shorts (Out of competition) 2018

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2020