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Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Seven Doors: sweeping Nigerian Netflix series masters the art of storytelling
From the opening credits of the new Netflix six-part series Seven Doors, the viewer is poised for a captivating cinematic experience. An array of sculptures dot the landscape as a montage of scenes unfolds, establishing the back story of the historical epic that is about to be played out. Femi Adebayo, the actor turned director and producer, had a huge hit in 2023 with the film Jagun Jagun (The Warrior), a historical epic love story that he produced. Now he's back on Netflix acting in, producing and co-directing Seven Doors. As a theatre professor, author, playwright and film scholar I follow the output of Nollywood. Nigeria's thriving film industry is increasingly attracting higher budgets and producing films and series of high screen value. Seven Doors is one of these. Seven Doors has some weaknesses, like not knowing the specific period the beautifully designed costumes represent, but it's mostly a masterpiece. It's a metaphor for Nigeria's current realities. For their leading roles, Adebayo won the lead actor award at the 11th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards on 11 May and Chioma Chukwuka won lead actress. The film also won Best Score/Music. I find the plot very intricate, exciting and engaging. The cast also nails it. Among them are Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha, Hafiz Oyetoro, Adebayo 'Oga Bello' Salami, Gabriel Afolayan, Jide Kosoko, Dele Odule, Muyiwa Ademola and Adebayo himself. No better cast could have interrogated the world of Yoruba culture and myth that Nollywood is currently exploring. Seven Doors opens eerily, with a group of seven female characters who appear as if in trance from a bush path. At the call of their names by a priest, each falls off a cliff into a cascading waterfall, hitting their heads on stones at the bed of the fall. The scene is swiftly succeeded by the introduction of a young family of four on a lawn tennis court in the middle of a game. The line at the end of this scene, 'We all win together in love', resonates throughout the movie's narrative. The story also revolves around them. A door can be an opening or a barrier. The six episodes are each creatively titled: Door Threshold, Door Jamb, Door Frame, Door Lock, Door Swivel, and Door Peephole. The audience is left to imagine and add the title for the seventh 'door', perhaps. Each episode provides access to the intriguing story as it unfolds. The story begins in the ancient town of Ilara and excavates a sacrilegious crime – two princes as siblings aspire to become the Oba (king and ruler) of their kingdom. The Ifa oracle, the last arbiter in such matters, counsels that both princes are eligible and will rule over the kingdom with prosperity following. However, the way forward is for them to have a heart-to-heart talk among themselves so that one withdraws from the race. One remembers that recently, a state government, Oyo, in south-west Nigeria, sought the counsel of an Ifa priest to determine who should be the Alaafin of Oyo, a prominent king. What follows in the narrative of Seven Doors is disastrous: the younger prince strangles his elder brother and cunningly gets the throne, setting the tone for the calamity that besets the kingdom. Flash forward to the present. Adedunjoye, a young prince of the Adekogbe Ruling House, turns down the choice to be the next king, Onilara of Ilara. There is an echo of the recent not-too-young-to-run agitation by a section of the younger generation in Nigeria. Read more: Seven Doors boasts aesthetically designed period costumes (Lola Awe and Yolanda Okereke) and makeup and special effects (Hakeem Onilogbo). The hairstyles (Oyewale Omolara), props, vehicles and other details (Olorunnisola Omowonuola) show that the story is set in Nigeria's 1950s-1960s. I was impressed by the art direction and scenography in the film, handled by Olatunji Afolayan, right from the opening montage, with the credits rolling and superimposed on the sculptured figurines (handled by Gabriel Udeh and Abayomi Olamakinde). To me, this is a celebration of the culture and the past of the traditional institution. The post-production is clinical too. Overall, I like the non-intrusive special effects in the movie. The subtle way the filmmaker used each scene and each episode to make different statements on the past, present and future is commendable. It comes with the impression that the sins of the father can become a stumbling block to the sons. It is a well-handled, visually appealing storytelling. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Adediran Kayode Ademiju-Bepo, University of Jos Read more: Funding terror: how west Africa's deadly jihadists get the money they need to survive Colonial-era borders create conflict in Africa's oceans – how to resolve them Why Meta is in trouble in Nigeria and what this means for Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp users Adediran Kayode Ademiju-Bepo does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Business Insider
30-04-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Pulse Africa welcomes media veteran Biola Alabi to its Board of Directors
Lagos, Nigeria – April 29, 2025 – Pulse, Africa's leading innovative media company, has announced the appointment of Biola Alabi to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Biola Alabi is a distinguished business, media, and venture investment leader, with over two decades of experience across corporate America and Africa. Renowned for her strategic vision and transformative leadership, Biola has consistently driven market expansion, fostered impactful partnerships, and accelerated growth across the media, technology, and investment sectors. Commenting on the appointment, Katharina Link, CEO of Pulse Africa, said: 'Biola's extensive leadership experience and commitment to innovation perfectly align with Pulse's vision for the future. We are thrilled to welcome her to our Board of Directors as we accelerate our mission to inform and engage young people across Africa.' Biola is a venture partner at Delta40 and leads investments in climate-focused agtech and fintech innovations across Africa. She previously served as General Partner at Acasia Ventures, spearheading fundraising and strategic initiatives across Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. Her investment portfolio includes backing startups such as Lengo AI, Winnich Farms, and Fez Delivery. Biola also brings extensive governance experience, having served as a non-executive director on the boards of Unilever Nigeria, Big Cabal Media, Odu'a Investment Company subsidiaries, and Akili TV. Her expertise spans strategy, audit, risk management, finance, remuneration, and crisis management, often contributing to corporate turnarounds and governance reforms. Tim Kollmann, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pulse Africa: 'Pulse has consistently raised the bar in connecting with Africa's digital audiences while delivering impactful media and marketing solutions for partners. The appointment of Biola Alabi to the Board reflects a strategic commitment to strengthening governance and unlocking new value for both our audiences and commercial partners. Her insight and leadership come at an important time, and we look forward to the opportunities this next chapter presents.' Beyond boardrooms and investments, Biola is a champion of African storytelling and talent development. As the founder of Biola Alabi Media, she produced acclaimed films such as Lara and the Beat and Banana Island Ghost, amplifying authentic African narratives. Her tenure as Managing Director of M-Net Africa (Multichoice Group) saw the expansion of the Africa Magic brand and the establishment of the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards --- About Pulse Pulse is Africa's leading innovative media company, informing and engaging the continent's young audience across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Senegal, and Côte d'Ivoire. Pulse operates news platforms, social channels, and production units across both Anglophone and Francophone markets. Pulse reaches over 60 million people monthly through Pulse Media, Pulse Sports, Pulse Marketing, and Business Insider Africa. Pulse Marketing serves more than 100 clients across the continent and beyond with creative, strategy-driven digital marketing solutions that deliver measurable results. The company is also the licensed publisher of Business Insider Africa, a premier destination for business and economic insights tailored to Africa's digital audience. The company has built a vibrant ecosystem through flagship initiatives like the Pulse Influencer Awards and Pulse Fiesta, celebrating creativity, culture, and community. Media Contact: Brand and Communications Unit
