Another film project financed by Bank of Industry, BOI, is currently shooting in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
The movie, Queen Amina, a story of the historical Hausa Muslim warrior queen, is being produced by Okey Ogunjiofor, a pioneer Nollywood filmmaker and producer of the landmark flick, Living In Bondage.
The movie project is a product of the BOI Nollyfund (BNF) scheme, an initial program limit of N1.0billion in single-digit interest loans.
Directed by Izu Ojukwu, a notable Nigerian epic film director, Queen Amina is the second of Nollyfund film project that is currently in production – Kunle Afolayan’s The CEO which also benefitted from the loan began shooting three months ago – and like The CEO, Queen Amina project also got N50million from BOI.
Through its support policy for the creative sector of the economy, BOI had in the past financed films such as Biyi Bandele’s Half of a Yellow Sun and Michelle Bello’s Flower Girl.
In its first roll-out, Nollyfund has already approved more than 12 movie projects, with another film, Ayanma, from the popular Royal Arts Academy, coming on the heels of Queen Amina.
Two officers of the Bank; Mrs. Cynthia Nwuka, Group Head, Creative Industry and Mr. Okechukwu Madu, Assistant Manager were at Shere last weekend to show support to the filmmaker and his team, who at that moment were shooting a war scene that had over 200 people at the desert location.
Queen Amina tells the story of Amina, who lived in the age of man in a man’s world. In an ancient world of brutal conflicts, ferocious animal passions, supressive timeless customs, and reckless, herioc exploits, she must resolutely carve out a part for her life in the face of scandalised tradition and antagonistic male dominance. To grasp her destiny, she must prove herself not just as able, but infinitely more capable than any man alive.
It is a thrilling epic movie about the most charismatic warrior, sovereign and queen in the history of Africa. Fathered by the legendary warrior, expansionist,and empire builder, BarkwaTurunku, Aminatu, alluring princess and first daughter to the renowned Barkwa nurses a burning ambition never before imagined: To sit as queen over a Zazzau empire that stretches from Kano to River Niger, from Idah to Jukunland. In an age of female subjugation and an oppressive , male sponsored traditional system, no sane woman would dare conceive such dreams; and only the most foolishly reckless would move on to attempt actualisation.
According to Ogunjiofor, “The movie chronicles the legendary many lives of this exceptional woman; the pain and the agony caused by the betrayal of cherished lovers; the ferocious savagery in the face of all battles and enemies; the cunning manipulation at will of the nobles and sovereigns of kingdoms; and the tender concern over the down trodden Talakawasor common people.”
The ace producer also spoke highly of his crew members whom he said are experts in their various fields. They include Izu Ojukwu who is the driver of the whole picture; Peter Kreil, a specialist in lighting and pictures from Austria who is the DOP; Dagogo Diminas and Gabriel Okorie who are handling Make-up and Millicent Jack who is in charge of costumes.
Others are Dan Chris, Line Producer; AfolayanOlatunji, Art Director; Peter Schumacher, Sound Engineer; Natty Bruce, Stunt Coordinator and Sele O. Sele, Props.