‘Baby Farm' Is a Harrowing Nigerian Drama
The five-part Nigerian thriller 'Baby Farm,' on Netflix (in English and Nigerian Pidgin, with subtitles), follows a desperate young woman trapped in a sadistic maternity-care facility. Adanna (Onyinye Odokoro) finds herself pregnant, alone and broke in Lagos when a seemingly friendly sex worker ushers her into the welcoming arms of the Evans Foundation, a glam nongovernmental organization that claims to help women like her. Once there, the blond, British Sister Barb (Jenny Stead) really lays on the high-pressure sales tactics.
Even though Adanna is uncomfortable, she agrees to move in. She is worried that living outside might damage her gestating baby, and she has nowhere else to turn. She can leave if she wants to, right? 'Leave where, exactly?' replies Sister Barb.
Adanna's relief to have food and medical care is short-lived. She isn't in a comfortable place for women to receive prenatal care; she is in a terrifying, abusive prison, run by Barb and her cartoonishly evil husband (Langley Kirkwood), the doctor and face of the organization. 'You are here for one thing and one thing only: making babies,' he bellows. Once delivered, the babies are ripped from their mothers' arms and sold to wealthy couples.
The third prong here is Cherise (Rita Dominic), a Nigerian actress poised for a big break and international success. She and her husband are trying everything they can to have a baby, but nothing has worked. She regrets speaking so openly with the press about her miscarriages because now gossip bloggers hound her about it. Legal paths to adoption are off the table because of her husband's arrest record, and her desperation and despair are so profound that she is willing to turn a blind eye to some of the sketchiness surrounding the Evans Foundation. She wants a baby through any means necessary.
'Baby Farm' feels like a less-turgid 'Handmaid's Tale,' faster and soapier. The show moves between gutting, grounded moments and campy melodrama, which tempers the misery substantially. The topics at hand here are among the heaviest imaginable, and while this show is not based on a true story, Nigerian 'baby factories' are real. But 'Baby Farm' manages not to be a didactic, punishing slog. It is energetic, and even as its characters consider themselves utterly stuck, the story really moves.
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New York Times
9 hours ago
- New York Times
‘Baby Farm' Is a Harrowing Nigerian Drama
The five-part Nigerian thriller 'Baby Farm,' on Netflix (in English and Nigerian Pidgin, with subtitles), follows a desperate young woman trapped in a sadistic maternity-care facility. Adanna (Onyinye Odokoro) finds herself pregnant, alone and broke in Lagos when a seemingly friendly sex worker ushers her into the welcoming arms of the Evans Foundation, a glam nongovernmental organization that claims to help women like her. Once there, the blond, British Sister Barb (Jenny Stead) really lays on the high-pressure sales tactics. Even though Adanna is uncomfortable, she agrees to move in. She is worried that living outside might damage her gestating baby, and she has nowhere else to turn. She can leave if she wants to, right? 'Leave where, exactly?' replies Sister Barb. Adanna's relief to have food and medical care is short-lived. She isn't in a comfortable place for women to receive prenatal care; she is in a terrifying, abusive prison, run by Barb and her cartoonishly evil husband (Langley Kirkwood), the doctor and face of the organization. 'You are here for one thing and one thing only: making babies,' he bellows. Once delivered, the babies are ripped from their mothers' arms and sold to wealthy couples. The third prong here is Cherise (Rita Dominic), a Nigerian actress poised for a big break and international success. She and her husband are trying everything they can to have a baby, but nothing has worked. She regrets speaking so openly with the press about her miscarriages because now gossip bloggers hound her about it. Legal paths to adoption are off the table because of her husband's arrest record, and her desperation and despair are so profound that she is willing to turn a blind eye to some of the sketchiness surrounding the Evans Foundation. She wants a baby through any means necessary. 'Baby Farm' feels like a less-turgid 'Handmaid's Tale,' faster and soapier. The show moves between gutting, grounded moments and campy melodrama, which tempers the misery substantially. The topics at hand here are among the heaviest imaginable, and while this show is not based on a true story, Nigerian 'baby factories' are real. But 'Baby Farm' manages not to be a didactic, punishing slog. It is energetic, and even as its characters consider themselves utterly stuck, the story really moves.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Yahoo
With ‘F1,' rising star Damson Idris enters Hollywood's fast lane
Damson Idris was trying to tune out the noise, but that's a little difficult at a Formula One race. The British-Nigerian actor was in the zone, in character, filming the high-octane summer movie 'F1' with Brad Pitt at some of the world's most famous racetracks. While Idris' profile has been rising in recent years, after six seasons starring in the FX series 'Snowfall,' there's nothing like being next to globally famous Formula One drivers and a Hollywood megastar to put things into perspective. He was pretty sure he was going to coast under the radar. Then he started hearing not just his own name from fans in the crowd but 'Franklin Saint,' too, the name of his drug kingpin character on 'Snowfall.' 'It's funny, because I see myself as a young actor who nobody knows,' Idris, 33, said in a recent interview with The Associated Press. Revving up to the next level Anonymity may already be a thing of the past for Idris, though. In May, he made a splash at the Met Gala, arriving in a full racing suit (branded with 'F1's' fictional team name APXGP) and a Swarovski crystal-studded helmet that he and two ushers removed to reveal a second look underneath. The boldness and theatricality of the stunt made it one of the most talked about moments at an event where everyone is trying to stand out. And things are poised to rev up even more when 'F1' opens globally Friday. Speeding into theaters on a wave of great reviews and the promise of a 'Top Gun: Maverick'-style spectacle, filmmaker Joseph Kosinski is pretty sure Idris is going to start hearing people shout 'Joshua Pearce' at him too. That's the name of Idris' character, the hotshot rookie driver of the worst team on the circuit who's desperate to prove himself and hang on to one of the coveted seats. 'I'm very excited for people to see him own this character and go toe to toe with a giant movie star,' Kosinski said. 'I think he can do anything. He's just super talented, and I feel like I'm lucky to see him at the beginning of what's going to be a pretty stratospheric launch.' Idris tries to seek out projects that challenge him and characters who are as different as possible — from each other and, especially, from him. Joshua Pearce fit the bill in a moment when he was preparing to say goodbye to Franklin Saint. After he read the 'F1' script, the character even infiltrated his dreams. 'I said to myself, 'Man, no one's going to be able to play this part like I will.' I remember writing Joe (Kosinski) a letter and telling him that,' Idris said. 'When we finally jumped in the cars for the first time, I was hooked. I was like, 'Yep this movie's mine. It's no one else's and I can't wait to give my all to it.' And that's exactly what I did.' Giving it his all at 180 mph 'F1' wouldn't just require playing a part. Both he and Pitt had to learn how to drive the cars at speeds of up to 180 mph. It took months of training behind the wheel the supervision of stunt drivers Luciano Bacheta and Craig Dolby, as well as physical training to adapt to the G-forces they'd feel in the car. When it came time to film, which they did with special cameras attached to the cars, sometimes they were driving during breaks at real races with hundreds of thousands of spectators around. Every time you see Idris' or Pitt's face in the car, Kosinski said, they're really driving that car. 'It's so insane. It's actually quicker in real life and it looks really fast on the screen,' Idris said. 'In a split second, a decision could be really detrimental. But I couldn't imagine doing this movie any other way. If it was on green screen, you'd be able to tell.' There's a bit of art-meets-life symmetry wrapped up in 'F1,' in which an up-and-comer teams up with a veteran. In the film, it's a reluctant pairing of two alphas. The mentorship is fraught, the lessons are hard-earned and the competition is not exactly friendly. Unlike Joshua, Idris is more than willing to get advice from those around him, whether it's producers like Jerry Bruckheimer and Jeremy Kleiner, his director Kosinski, or his co-stars, from Pitt to Javier Bardem. 'I speak to them every day and I ask for advice,' he said. 'The main focus is on stories, playing characters that I can be proud of and range. That's everything I'm setting out to do in this career.' Acting was not always the goal for Idris. Like many kids in South London, he once dreamed of being a soccer player. Sure, the idea of being a renowned athlete held some appeal, but he also loved the sheer discipline it required. Then, at age 18, he realized he'd never be as great as Lionel Messi. 'When I see him one day, hopefully I'm blessed to meet him, I'm going to tell him that he's the reason why I quit football, because he was so good,' he said. 'Wonderfully, acting is a subjective industry, so I can at least cheat my way into working with Brad Pitt.' Cheating is, of course, a bit of cheeky hyperbole for an actor who studied drama at university and continued training at London's Identity School of Acting afterward. Since he made his stage debut in Ade Solanke's 'Pandora's Box' over 10 years ago, Idris has been hitting the pavement like the rest of his peers. And he's just getting started. What's next for Damson Idris Idris recently wrapped filming the Tomi Adeyemi adaptation 'Children of Bone and Blood' in Cape Town, South Africa. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, Idris plays Prince Inan in the African fantasy that co-stars Viola Davis, Cynthia Erivo, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Idris' idol and real-life mentor Idris Elba. 'It's not just a namesake,' Idris said. 'I feel so blessed to be able to say that I'm like his little brother and I can call him and get advice.' Next up, Idris will prepare to portray Miles Davis in Bill Pohlad's 'Miles & Juliette,' about the jazz legend's romance with French singer Juliette Gréco. He's also founded a fine jewelry line, named Didris, inspired by his mother, and is getting into producing as well — his production company has a deal with FX Networks and wants to make opportunities for emerging talents. And like his character in 'F1,' Idris is learning to block out the noise. He knows that a film career is a long journey and there will be ups and downs. 'It's a huge moment, but I'm fortunate to have so many people in my life that keep me grounded,' Idris said. 'I've soaked in information from people I admire who say the same thing during these higher moments: Pinch yourself, stay grounded, remember where you came from. 'That's exactly how I'm walking through this portal and into these next couple of years. I'm excited, I'm humbled, I am blessed and I can't wait to see what the future brings.'
News24
15 hours ago
- News24
The Londie London Hair Genie competition gives hope to young braiders
Supplied The reality TV star launched the Londie London Hair Genie competition to support young braiders across SA. At least 13 finalists from different provinces battled it out in Sandton. The top five shared the R200 000 prize money and vouchers to use on the Afrotex website. @citypressza All these hairstyles were done by different hairstylists who were competing for the Londie London Hair Genie Competition! Such creativity 🙌 Congratulations to the winners! ♬ Reflections on 52nd - AGM3 In April 2023, reality TV star, musician and entrepreneur Londiwe 'Londie London' Zulu launched what she called the longest braid in Africa. Two years later, she has contributed to the growth of young braiders' businesses across the country through the Londie London Hair Genie competition, which started last year. Recently, 13 braiders from different provinces battled it out during the competition finale in Sandton. The journey began last April when the braiders posted their work using the Londie London Braid on social media. The second phase of the competition featured the top 30 contestants. 'The competition has been successful. It also encourages hairstylists to be bold and try new things. Some people get bored with just doing a regular hairstyle; they want to do something out of the box. So, this also serves as a chance for them to showcase their talent,' she said. She added that last year's winners shared the R100 000 prize, which doubled this year. The winner, Bernice Momina, took home R30 000 in cash and a R15 000 voucher to use on the Afrotex website. The model she worked with won R15 000 in cash and a R5 000 voucher. Supplied Zulu spoke about her partnership with Afrotex, saying it took them three years to develop the Londie London Braid. 'I have tried a lot of things, everybody knows that. The braid business found me. Afrotex wanted to work with me because I was hectic on braiding, especially when I was a musician. I said if I am going to have a braid line, it has to be the best one with the best texture because I understand braiding and I can braid,' she said. The musician, who is currently working on an EP, said she balanced her busy schedule with prayer and the gym. She added that she was grateful for her mother because she helped her take care of her two children. Zwivhuya Tshifularo, a braider from Madombidzha in Limpopo, took second place. She attributed her success to God, saying: 'God kept His promise yet again.' The 23-year-old said the R20 000 cash prize came at a perfect time as she was working on a new business venture to be launched in August. Tshifularo initially pursued accounting science at the University of Johannesburg but dropped out in her final year to focus on entrepreneurship, aligning with her passion for the beauty industry. She started braiding when she was 11 and wanted to create neat, long-lasting, yet pain-free braids. The hairstylist said her journey to the finale had been overwhelming and filled with sleepless nights. I've been working hard in the braiding industry and I've always anticipated moments such as these where I could showcase my craft. My work is faith-centred and I believe God is doing the work and I'm just a vessel. Zwivhuya Tshifularo Tshifularo's winning hairstyle was inspired by Youth Month and the resilience of the braiders. 'I have always felt like hairdressers were not recognised for their craft and the impact they have on people's lives, putting a smile on people's faces and giving them confidence in their beauty. For Afrotex to give me an opportunity that I have longed for for years, it made so much sense for me to thank them through the craftsmanship of my work,' she said. Supplied Tshifularo's vision is to teach people that beauty lies in braiding hair and help those in the industry perfect their craft. 'I want to teach people to fall in love with every braid before money. I also want to let people know that you can make a good living out of braiding, because I know it's often undermined,' she said. Magcino Nzima, Refiloe Maleka and Phumla Ngomane won the third, fourth and fifth places, respectively. Everyone who did not make it to the top five got R2 000 for participating. Zulu announced the opening of Londie Beauty Shop in Sandton and invited hairstylists to contact her for jobs.
