The fascinating narrative of Queen Idia, the formidable mother of the Oba of Benin (1504-1550), is destined to captivate viewers across the world as US-based Nigerian director Patience Ojheneovo Okhuofu brings this ancient Amazon’s tale to life on film. Queen Idia was a tenacious fighter who contributed significantly to her son’s emergence and reign as monarch of the Edo Empire.
Shooting on the big picture will begin before the end of the month. Okhuofu gained the permission of Benin’s Oba Ewuare II two years ago to embark on the praiseworthy endeavour. Okhuofu, a member of the Uyiedo Theatre Troupe, told the press about the big budget movie over the week, saying he spent ten years researching Queen Idia’s life, motivated by a desire to highlight female achievers.
Patience Ojheneovo Okhuof will produce and direct the historical drama “Queen Idia: A Wife, A Mother, and A Warrior,” with popular female director Patience Oghre Imobhio serving as assistant director. The film, which will be shot in Benin, will include a large cast. Okhuofu, a supporter of female achievers, stated that her objective was to use the tube to tell Queen Idia’s narrative from a female perspective.
She stated, “Our objective is to build a major body of work that resonates not only in Nigeria, but throughout the African continent and beyond. Her story captivates me. While many authors have documented various portions of Queen Idia’s voyage, today’s audience is more visual, preferring movie storytelling to traditional literature.
“Given that many young people are drawn to the screen rather than the pages of books , it has become imperative to reclaim our narratives from Hollywood, which too often presents our stories through a foreign lens.” Speaking further, Okhuofu stated that by translating Queen Idia’s story for film, she hopes to preserve the spirit of her heritage while reaching a global audience in an engaging format that appeals to younger generations.
According to her, “Queen Idia was not only a supportive spouse, but also a staunch advocate for her husband’s return to power.” After his death, she remained resolute in defending her son’s claim to the throne while preserving the safety and prosperity of the whole Benin kingdom.
Her son commissioned the legendary festac mask, as a monument to her invaluable services to the preservation of the royal bloodline, which was unfortunately stolen during the British conquest of Benin. This commission served as a permanent emblem for future kings, reminding them of the sacrifices she made and the strength she shown during difficult times.”
