Following the unveiling of his debut documentary Marked, Nigerian actor and filmmaker Amah ThankGod has shared insights into the project, including its inspiration, creative process, and production challenges.
Marked, based on a story by Chinelo Emmanuel Nwora, represents what ThankGod describes as a “small drop of hope” within the complexities of interpersonal conflict and identity, in a world where individuals often struggle with internal and external acceptance.
Speaking with The Nollywood Reporter, the filmmaker, known for his roles in A Tribe Called Judah and Sin, revealed that Marked emerged from a collaborative effort developed for a film festival competition, the details of which remain undisclosed for privacy reasons.
According to him, the story was drawn from the real-life experience of one of the collaborators.
“As we deliberated on which story to tell, we decided to go with the real-life experience of one of us, with her permission, which helped shape the story from pre-production to post-production,” he said.
ThankGod praised the courage of the contributor who shared her experience, adding that he was intentional as director in ensuring the story was handled with care, without altering its essence.
In a film landscape where documentaries are often underexplored in Nigeria, he admitted that he once considered the format less engaging. However, his perspective shifted after watching works such as Kachi Benson’s Madu.
Now beginning his journey into documentary filmmaking, he says his goal with Marked is to ensure the short film remains emotionally engaging while staying true to its documentary form.
He also believes Nollywood has not fully tapped into the potential of documentary storytelling.
“We are trying, truth be told, with works like Beyond Olympic Glory and Mother of Chibok, but we can do more. And yes, I see myself delving into this form of filmmaking. It is more critical and creative,” he said.
Like many independent productions, Marked faced challenges during production. ThankGod noted that funding and location logistics were the most significant hurdles.
However, he added that having a supportive team helped transform these challenges into opportunities for creative problem-solving.
With Marked, produced under Shake That Table Studios, he hopes audiences will see themselves reflected in the story, sit with its emotional weight, and find space for self-forgiveness and reflection.
For distribution, the team plans to prioritize film festivals and private screenings before exploring wider public release platforms.
