Biafra is set to explore the Biafra war from the point of view of a young black British woman.
By Editor
Biafra, a six-hour limited series based on the Nigeria-Biafra War is set to be executive-produced by British-Nigerian actor, David Oyelowo, through his production company, Yoruba Saxons Productions, Argo Films, and Fremantle.
The series set in the UK and Nigeria currently being developed by the BBC explores the Biafra war from the point of view of a young black British woman.
The series is written by Bola Agbaje, directed by Ngozi Onwurah, and executive-produced by David Oyelowo, as well as founder and CEO of Argo Films, Richard Johns.
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On producing the project, Oyelowo reveals his rationale when he says, “My Nigerian heritage and desire to see African stories told at the highest level has led to Biafra being one of my most treasured projects. My parents married across the tabooed tribal lines of the Biafran conflict, and it shaped my life, much as it has done to millions of Nigerians.”
Speaking on the universality of the story in the series, Johns adds that, “Britain and Nigeria have a hugely important, multi-layered, and historic relationship, one that is very much alive today. With this series, we are setting ourselves the mission of telling an incredibly powerful story about discovering and reclaiming a lost identity and a forgotten history – all with a truly authentic West African voice.”
The producers reveal that Biafra will be a “character-led personal story, and a historical, political drama, with themes of family, identity and belonging at its heart.”