The Mansu Unveils “Behind The Glass” in Abuja, Short Film Rooted in Literature, Real-Life Struggles

Recently, the city of Abuja played host to the private premiere of Behind The Glass, a powerful short film written and directed by the budding filmmaker, Monsurah Alli-Oluwafuyi (The Mansu), at the stylish VOMNETWORK venue. The intimate evening gathered film enthusiasts, young creatives, mental health advocates, and members of the press, all eager to witness a story that bridges cinema, literature, and social realities.

The 20 minutes feature, inspired by Akin Akingbogun’s acclaimed book, Dreams from Yesterday, particularly Chapter 10, “Too Impaired to Deal”, brought to life a raw and relatable narrative. At its heart is the story of Tokunbo, a 22-year-old haunted by childhood trauma and determined to stay away from alcohol and the environments tied to it. But on his last day as a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, the insistence of his friends, lead him into an environment he has long resisted. What begins as a harmless night out quickly spirals into a sequence of reckless decisions, testing the limits of friendship and exposing the fragility of human choices.

Monsurah Alli-Oluwafuyi, who also wrote the screenplay, teamed up with Jerry Ogbe as Director of Photography, Adejumo Oluwatimilehin as Editor/Colorist, and Blessing Timothy as Assistant Director to craft a project that balances technical excellence with emotional storytelling. The cast, Mallum Arik, Ogwuche Jerome, Amale Yakong Sodor, and Nankam Jemimah Abu, delivered compelling performances that struck a chord with the audience.

Guests at the premiere noted how the film avoided clichés while addressing some of the silent battles faced by many Nigerian youths. By anchoring the film on a Corps member’s last day in service, The Mansu also tapped into a collective experience familiar to millions of Nigerians, weaving nostalgia and relatability into the narrative.

The screening atmosphere was one of reflection and appreciation. Guests watched in silence, many nodding along as Tokunbo’s inner battles played out on screen. When the credits rolled, the applause was not merely for the artistry but for the resonance of the story itself. In post-screening conversations, attendees praised the film’s ability to spark important dialogue on trauma, decision-making, and the pressures of young adulthood.

For The Mansu, the film is both personal and universal.

“Behind The Glass is more than entertainment. It is a mirror of our society and a reminder that choices carry consequences. I wanted to tell a story that young Nigerians could see themselves in—because many of us carry silent burdens we don’t talk about,” she said.
But The Mansu’s vision does not end with cinema. As revealed at the event, the film has birthed a larger initiative: The Behind The Glass Toolkit. Developed with input from a medical doctor, a mental health practitioner, and a communications specialist, the toolkit is a practical resource designed to accompany the film and extend its impact among Nigerian youth.

Containing interactive exercises, reflection prompts, and actionable guides, the toolkit explores themes such as trauma recovery, empathy, boundaries, and stigma. It aims to move conversations from the cinematic space into classrooms, youth organizations, and communities.

Significantly, The Mansu announced plans to collaborate with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to introduce the toolkit into orientation camps and community programs nationwide. By doing so, the project hopes to reach thousands of Corps members every year, ensuring the message of Behind The Glass becomes part of the national conversation on youth development and mental health.

For a debut on this scale, Behind The Glass signals a promising new voice in Nigerian cinema, one unafraid to merge storytelling with advocacy. By drawing inspiration from literature, grounding the narrative in Nigerian experiences, and pushing beyond the screen to provide tangible tools for change, The Mansu demonstrates that film can be more than entertainment; it can be an instrument of healing and social progress.

As the Abuja premiere closed, one message was clear: Behind The Glass is not just a film to be watched, but a story to be felt, discussed, and lived out in the choices of Nigeria’s next generation.