Lyndsey Efejuku Discusses Nollywood’s Epic Film Challenges

As Nollywood grows its range of movies, the epic film category is becoming more popular, presenting both advantages and obstacles. Lyndsey Efejuku, the director of the recently released thriller “Kilometer 17,” discussed her thoughts on the development of epic movies in Nigerian film industry.

In a recent discussion with The Nollywood Reporter, Efejuku pondered the development of the epic genre in Nollywood. In technical terms, the genre has significantly increased in strength. She pointed out,. “Technically, the genre has become much stronger. We’ve evolved a lot, especially in the technical aspects,” she noted. However, she was quick to point out that the industry is still in its early stages compared to more established film industries. “Nollywood is still a young industry compared to Hollywood, which has had hundreds of years to develop. We’re still finding our feet, but the epic genre has definitely grown.”

Efejuku highlighted the progress made in recent epic productions, citing films like “House of Gaa” as examples of the industry’s advancement. “I watched ‘House of Ga’ and was thoroughly entertained,” she said. “We’re trying our best, and with every new project, we just keep getting better.”

Despite the progress, Efejuku identified several challenges faced by filmmakers venturing into the epic genre. “For epic films, the challenges are mainly with location, props, and costumes,” she  explained. “In drama, you can just go to the market and buy everyday clothes for the actors, but with epics, you’re creating an entire world, which is a huge task.”

The director also emphasized the complexity of world-building in historical dramas. “You have to commend the producers and directors who take on this challenge—they’re creating either a fictional world or recreating a historical one,” Efejuku said. She also pointed out a significant obstacle: the lack of readily available historical references. “Unfortunately, as a country, we don’t have a lot of historical references available, so filmmakers have to rely heavily on their imagination.”

Additionally, Efejuku stressed the importance of historical accuracy in epic films. “I think if we did more research into our actual history—particularly how battles were fought, for example—and reflected that in our films, it would add authenticity,” he suggested. She also highlighted the challenge of avoiding anachronisms, noting that filmmakers must be careful not to include modern items in historical settings.

These observations echo sentiments expressed by other industry professionals. Last month, director Bolanle Austen-Peters, following the success of her epic film “House of Ga’a” on Netflix, also commented on the financial challenges of producing such ambitious projects in Nigeria. Austen-Peters highlighted the disparity between Nollywood and Hollywood budgets, emphasizing the need for greater resources to fully realize the potential of Nigerian historical dramas.

Efejuku’s observations illuminate the advancements and challenges that still exist as Nollywood pushes boundaries in the epic genre. The director’s remarks imply that although the industry has advanced greatly in technical skills and storytelling, there is still potential for improvement in research, resources, and historical accuracy.

The development of grand movies in Nollywood is indicative of a larger pattern in the growth of the industry, with directors aiming to narrate expansive, culturally significant narratives that appeal to audiences both within and outside the country. Efejuku highlighted that the development of the epic genre has been thrilling to observe. Despite the obstacles ahead, Nollywood is edging closer to achieving its grand aspirations with every new endeavor.