Nollywood actress Faycia Williams has responded to criticism surrounding her new movie, Efunloe: The Unicorn.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that “Efunroye: The Unicorn” is a biographical drama about Yoruba aristocrat and trader Efunroye Tinubu.
Efunloei was known for his political and economic influence in Abeokuta, Lagos and Ogun in the 19th century. She is said to have owned over 360 personal slaves.
The controversy began a few days ago when Saidi Balogun’s ex-wife teased fans with her latest project, describing Efunloye as a “warrior and ruler who rewrote history.”
“Power. Trade. Legacy. She was more than just a warrior, she was a ruler who rewrote history.
‘Efunloe: The Unicorn’ is coming to the screens soon! ” she wrote.
However, the news sparked mixed reactions as some users questioned the film’s focus considering Efunloe's involvement in the slave trade. Others argued that the veterans were praising Efunloe's accomplishments while ignoring his role in promoting slavery.
“This woman was a slave trader and was actually the one who didn’t want slavery to be abolished. I’ve always wondered why someone like her would be celebrated,” the user wrote.
In a lengthy social media post, Faithia asserted that the film does not glorify or alter historical narratives, and corrected misconceptions surrounding the post.
According to the 55-year-old filmmaker, her new project aims to provide a balanced and nuanced portrayal of Efunloy’s life, highlighting both her triumphs and controversies.
“This film is a work of pure artistic interpretation and storytelling. My goal as a filmmaker is to bring Nigerian stories to life on screen, and this is no exception,” she said. I wrote to X.
“This film is an attempt to represent Madam Tinubu’s life in a balanced and nuanced way, showcasing her triumphs, challenges and the complex legacy she left behind. This is not an effort to glorify or glorify it.
“Efunroye: The Unicorn” is first and foremost a creative expression that aims to entertain, educate and spark thoughtful conversation. This is not a documentary or a political statement.
“Like any work of art, this one is grounded in history, but also requires creative freedom to make the story more appealing to modern audiences.
“To be further clear, ‘Efunroye: The Unicorn’ has not yet been filmed. The project is currently in the development and pre-production stages. We strive to be told in a certain way.”
