It was a pleasure to engage with Onyeka Nwelue at TIFF 24, where he brought both his film and literary works to TIFF24. Nwelue and his team are at TIFF to showcase The Other Side of History, a compelling biopic about Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, the influential leader of the Biafran forces during Nigeria’s Civil War from 1967 to 1970.
This thirty-month-long conflict resulted in the tragic loss of over five million lives, including many who died due to starvation. Nwelue’s film, which took nearly six years to complete, is making its mark at the festival, offering an exploration of this harrowing period in Nigerian history.
In addition to his film, Nwelue’s literary work The Women of Biafra describes the often-overlooked experiences of women during the Nigerian Civil War. The book aims to fill a significant gap in the literature by focusing on the active roles and profound struggles of Biafran women. Despite a lot of work that do address the wars, very few have centered on the female perspective, making Nwelue’s narrative a vital contribution to understanding the personal impact of the conflict.
Central to The Women of Biafra is the character of Ngozika, who embodies the trials faced by women and children in wartime. Nwelue discusses the challenges of portraying Ngozika’s journey through the brutality of war and her evolution from victim to a formidable force shaping her destiny and that of others. The character’s development was a meticulous process, aimed at authentically representing the profound suffering and resilience encountered by many.
During our meeting he emphasized the importance of maintaining the historical integrity of the Nigerian Civil War while crafting a narrative that resonates emotionally with readers. .
Through The Women of Biafra, Nwelue hopes readers will gain a deeper understanding of the Biafran War’s human cost and the strength of those who endured it. His ultimate goal is to foster awareness and ensure that such history does not repeat itself.
As TIFF 24 continues, Nwelue expresses his excitement about watching films, including his friend’s work, Freedom Way. He also recommended exploring films by Nigerian directors Kayode Kasum, Kunle Afolayan, and Kemi Adetiba.
Yugbodh (YB) is a contributing writer at Onside Media, he skillfully weaves captivating stories. For him music and movies serves as an escape, and he finds them fascinating as they constantly evolve. If you have interesting tales to share, feel free to reach out via email at: info@theonside.com
