By TAIYE OLAYEMI
A cultural documentary, “Bigger Than Africa”, is set to debut May 13, on Netflix, a global streaming platform.
This was disclosed by Toyin Adekeye, Founder of Motherland Productions, based in the United States, who is the director of the film, on Tuesday in Lagos.
Adekeye while relaying the film synopsis, said, “Bigger Than Africa” documents the journey of enslaved Africans through the lens of the Yoruba culture of West Africa.
He said this historical documentary takes one through six countries – Brazil, Cuba, Nigeria, Trinidad & Tobago, The Republic of Benin and The United States of America.
“When the slave ships docked in North America, Brazil and the Caribbean, hundreds of cultures, traditions, and religions landed with Africans on board.
“One transcended slavery beyond imagination to remain alive till this day in the new world; the culture of the Yorubas.
“I hope it becomes a unifying documentary for all people of African descent irrespective of their countries.
“It is a film that uniquely tells the stories of our commonalities rather than our differences,” he said.
Adekeye noted that the documentary featured some foremost and prominent Yoruba culture enthusiasts and traditional leaders.
According to him, some of them include, the Ooni of Ife, the Alaafin of Oyo, the Alaketu of Ketu, King of Port Novo, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Wole Soyinka, Prof. Wande Abimbola, Chief Nike Okundaye, Fayemi Elebuibon and Femi Kuti among others.
He noted that the well researched documentary would expose the international audience to the historical influence of Yoruba culture and how it transcends continents and connects the black diaspora.
“Bigger Than Africa” is Adekeye’s first feature documentary and had screened at film festivals worldwide.
The documentary has won multiple awards and earned prestigious screening invitations from venues like the United Nations and the Schomburg Centre for Research on Black Culture among others.
The film is distributed by KAP Film with the participation of a New York-based management agency, EGMNY. (NAN)
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