In a conversation with The Rustin Times, Nigerian Screenwriter and Director, Uyaiedu Ikpe-Etim said: “I wanted to write a love story with queer characters… I really wanted to see two black women together in love and living normal lives.”
Queer people have not had a fair shot at representation all over the world. That’s a fact. In Nigeria, where they the existence of Queer people is criminalized, where religious dogma and homophobic laws give homophobia license, the situation is even worse. Not only do Queer people have to navigate homophobia in their daily life, but they also look to the screen and have to experience their existence, their being, their struggle be misrepresented.
Equality Hub says they exist to correct this. Founded in 2017 by Pamela Adie, The Equality Hub is a nonprofit organization working to advance the rights and elevate the voices of lesbian, bi, & queer women in Nigeria. One of the ways they get this done is through visual storytelling.
In 2019, Equality Hub premiered their first documentary, Under the Rainbow. In ‘Under The Rainbow’, Pamela Adie, founder of Equality Hub takes us through her experiences, a first-hand journey of what it is to be openly gay in Nigeria.
Just before we could catch our breaths, Equality Hub reminds us that the work is plenty, that there is so much that needs to be done and that the work is urgent.
Hence, Ìfé The Movie! Ìfé is a two-person cast movie acted by Uzoamaka Aniunoh and Cindy Amadi. The movie tells the love story of two lesbian partners, Ife and Adaora, who have to struggle through the challenges of being in a same-sex relationship in Nigeria.
“This project was really to align in sharing our (Equality Hub) vision and mission with Nigerians, increase visibility and accelerate social acceptance,” Pamela Adie said in a Behind-The-Scenes Interview for the Project.
“Ife and Adaora’s story is really not an exception. It is actually one that is really common and that is why it should be told. I really hope that people will see this story, and that every one that is able to identify with this story will feel seen.” She added.
The trailer of Ìfé is here, even in the middle of pushback by the National Film and Video Censors Board, in the middle of a pandemic, and in the middle of homophobia.
In Ìfé, love doesn’t always mean happily ever after.
Watch the trailer below
“The main message is love. Love doesn’t show up differently when it is same-sex. They (the characters) are just two women in love. They love their families and they are existing. And that is the message I want to share” Uyaiedu Ikpe-Etim added
The release date has not been announced.
