Following the conclusion of its cinematic release in Nigeria, American distribution film company, Janus Films, has announced the acquisition of the Nigerian feature film ‘Eyimofe‘ (This Is My Desire) for the North American market.
Based on an agreement reached recently in the United States, the film will be released in theatres on July 23 and followed by a streaming release on the Criterion Channel and a home video release via the Criterion Collection.
Speaking on the acquisition, Criterion President and Janus partner Peter Becker said: “Arie and Chuko’s EYIMOFE (This Is My Desire) does not feel like a debut film. At once a migration story told from the perspective of those longing to leave and a love letter to the filmmakers’ home city of Lagos, this incisive, beautifully shot, and deeply humanist work deftly evokes global issues of class, migration, and social stratification without ever straying from the intimate lives of the ordinary people at its heart. We couldn’t be more thrilled to bring this exciting new work to screens and audiences across the country.”
The film had just completed its New York Festival premiere at the 2021 New Directors/New Films, capping an illustrious run at festivals, which started with a World Premiere at the 2020 Berlin International Film Festival.
It also toured festivals in over twenty countries, including BFI London Film Festival, AFI Film Festival in the US, Sao Paulo International Film Festival, Vancouver International Film Festival and Seattle International Film Festival where it won the New Directors Grand Jury Prize.
“This acquisition by Janus Films is exciting news from the incredible global journey that the film has had so far, and a proud moment for our film industry,” said Toke Alex Ibru, Executive Director of GDN Studios. “We’re thrilled with this achievement and hope it inspires other Nigerian filmmakers at home or abroad, to dream big, persevere and want to bring more of our stories to the world.”
In his reaction, one of the brothers, Chuko Esiri said, “When you trace the thread it begins with us watching the Criterion edition of Vittorio De Sica’s Bicycle Thieves. That film and so many others bearing the twin-faced logo of Janus taught us that the world was much closer than we could have ever imagined and that the stories of disparate cultures and people mattered. To be able to bring Eyimofe to audience’s across North America with Janus and Criterion is truly a dream come true and we cannot wait to share our corner of the world.”
Fully financed in Nigeria and shot on 16mm, Eyimofe is the first film from GDN Studios. It was directed by twin brothers Arie and Chuko Esiri and produced by Melissa O. Adeyemo. Executive producers include Maiden Alex Ibru, Toke Alex Ibru, Olorogun Oskar Ibru, Kayode Akindele, and Ifeoma Esiri.
Set in Lagos, it is a two-chapter film that follows the stories of Mofe (Jude Akuwudike), a factory technician, and Rosa (Temi Ami-Williams), a hairdresser, on their quest for what they believe will be a better life on foreign shores.
