Nigerian producer Mo Abudu says The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives explores “the consequences of the decisions we take as women”.
The EbonyLife Films production premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
The film screens in the Centrepiece strand. It marks the fifth official Toronto selection for Abudu’s EbonyLife Films.
The movie adapts Lola Shoneyin’s 2010 debut novel. It tells the story of Baba Segi, a wealthy Yoruba patriarch.
Baba Segi has three wives and seven children. He also runs a tightly controlled household.
However, his family faces trouble after Bolanle joins them as his youngest wife.
Her arrival changes the family’s balance. It also brings hidden secrets and betrayals to light.
Speaking to Variety from Lagos, Abudu explained why she chose the novel for a film adaptation.
“[The film] really delves into the lives of the women,” she said. “You try to understand why they made the decisions they made.”
Abudu described the movie as “a study of the consequences of the decisions we take as women.”
Abudu defends cultural story
Abudu knows that the film may challenge some Western viewers. She urged audiences to keep an open mind.
“It’s a very relatable cultural story for us as Yoruba people. Polygamy is real in this society, and I think the characters are extremely relatable,” she said.
“It was important for us to be authentic in telling the story in the right way.”
Daniel Oriahi directed the movie. The cast includes Odunlade Adekola, Iyabo Ojo, Mercy Aigbe, Bimbo Ademoye and Omowunmi Dada.
Nkechi Blessing, Bimbo Manuel, Bisola Aiyeola, Olarotimi Fakunle, Constance Olatunde and Maleek Sanni also feature in the film.
Oriahi previously directed The Weekend. The thriller premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival.
He also directed Taxi Driver: Oko Ashewo. The film premiered at TIFF 10 years ago.
Abudu said she has always admired Oriahi’s work. She also chose him to teach at the EbonyLife Creative Academy.
After TIFF, the film will head to the BFI London Film Festival. It will screen in the Journey strand.
The movie will then open in Nigerian cinemas in December.
The release will mark EbonyLife’s first theatrical film since 2019.
The company focused on films and TV series for Netflix during the period.
Abudu said the cast and the story made the film ideal for EbonyLife’s return to cinemas.
“When I look at the skill of the cast, when I look at the IP, and how well it’s known and loved and respected around the world, we felt that it definitely deserves that recognition,” she said.
“Having been out of cinemas since 2019, we wanted to come back into cinemas with something as powerful as this story.”
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