Faithia Williams reacts to misconception trailing upcoming movie, Efunroye Tinubu


 

Nollywood actress, Faithia Williams has responded to criticism surrounding her upcoming movie, ‘Efunroye: The Unicorn’.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that ‘Efunroye: The Unicorn’ is a biographical drama Yoruba aristocrat and trader, Efunroye Tinubu.

Efunroyei was known in the 19th-century for her political and economic influence in Lagos and Abeokuta in Ogun. She allegedly owned over 360 personal slaves.

The controversy started a few days back, when the ex-wife of Saidi Balogun teased her fans with her latest project, describing Efunroye as  “a warrior and ruler who rewrote history”.

“Power. Trade. Legacy. She was more than a warrior, she was a ruler who rewrote history. 

 ‘Efunroye: The Unicorn’ is coming to your screens soon!” she wrote.

The news however generated mixed reactions as some users queried the film’s focus, given Efunroye’s involvement in the slave trade. Others, argued that the veteran was celebrating Efunroye’s legacy while ignoring her role in promoting slavery.

“This Woman was a slave trader, in fact she was one of the people who didn’t want slavery to end. I’ve always wondered why people like her are celebrated,” a user wrote.

In a lengthy post on her social media, Faithia corrected the misconception surrounding the post, assuring that the film wouldn’t glorify or reshape historical narratives.

Accoridng to the  55-year-old filmmaker, her new project aims to present a balanced and nuanced portrayal of Efunroye’s life, highlighting both her triumphs and controversies.

“This film is purely a work of artistic interpretation and storytelling. As a filmmaker, my goal is to bring Nigerian stories to life on screen, and this is no exception,” she wrote on X.

“The movie is an attempt to present Madam Tinubu’s life in a balanced and nuanced way, showcasing her triumphs, challenges, and the complex legacy she left behind. It is not an effort to reshape or glorify the historical narrative.

“Efunroye: The Unicorn” is first and foremost a creative expression meant to entertain, educate, and spark thoughtful conversations. It is not a documentary nor a political statement.

“As with any artistic work, it draws from history but also takes creative liberties to make the story more engaging for modern audiences.

“To clarify further, “Efunroye: The Unicorn” has not yet been filmed. The project is currently in its development and preproduction phases. I am dedicated to ensuring that this story is told in the most authentic and impactful way possible.”