Ferdinand Ekechukwu
Trust the CEO of EbonyLife Group, Mo Abudu when it comes to making statements off her gigs. It was the exclusive private screening of her two directorial debuts – ‘Iyawo Mi’ and ‘Her Perfect Life’ – last Sunday at EbonyLife Place and the renowned media mogul took the evening a notch up with the array of beautiful guests from across the diplomatic, corporate, and entertainment spheres.
Mo Abudu had prior promised an “unforgettable evening filled with cinematic magic” and it sure lived up to expectation as the screenings of these movies thrilled the star-studded guests and significant figures drawn from across sectors. Her latest endeavor marks a profound personal and professional milestone in her multifaceted career.
“Iyawo Mi” and “Her Perfect Life” mark Mo Abudu’s foray into directing, adding another feather to her cap, which already boasts numerous successful productions through her company, EbonyLife Media. Beginning on Friday, the 6th of October, 2023, these cinematic works will open to audiences during their scheduled release at EbonyLife Place cinema.
These two extraordinary films have already graced prestigious film festivals this summer, including the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, the Rhode Island Film Festival, and the HollyShorts Film Festival. ‘Her Perfect Life’ and ‘Iyawo Mi’ (My W), a predominantly Yoruba language film are fictional stories that touches on societal issues of mental health challenges
In ‘Her Perfect Life’, Onajite Johnson-Ibrahim, 39, seems to have the perfect life – a flourishing career, a growing business, a loving husband and two bright, beautiful children, but appears to want to end it all. If features Pearl Thusi and Joseph Benjamin, supported by Omawunmi Dada, Uzo Osimpka, Christian Paul and Mary Lazarus.
While ‘Iyawo Mi’, Abudu follows the story of Kunle who arrives home one night to find a horror awaiting him. His wife, Eniola, seems to have gone mad; hallucinating, screaming at their children and neighbours, and threatening to kill everyone. Kunle takes matters into his own hands, with tragic consequences. The cast of ‘Iyawo Mi’ includes Adedimeji Lateef, Bolaji Ogunmola, Segun Arinze and Jude Chukwuka.
Both films boast a distinguished production team, with Mo Abudu, Bola Atta, Wale Tinubu, and Shola Akinlade serving as executive producers. Heidi Uys, Inem King, Joshua Olaoluwa, and Sonia Nwosu take on production roles, with Temidayo Makanjuola contributing to the production design.
These two projects have received invaluable support from the British High Commission and the French Embassy in Lagos, Nigeria. The generous sponsors behind these endeavors include the UBA Foundation, Wale Tinubu, Artsplit Limited, and Sporting Lagos.
