Celebrated Nigerian filmmaker Kunle Afolayan (Citation, October 1) is set to release his next feature, and Netflix Original film Swallow starring Eniola ‘Niyola’ Akinbo as the lead character. The film is an adaptation of the best-selling book of the same name from Nigerian-American novelist Sefi Atta.
According to plot details made available by Netflix, the drama-thriller explores the burgeoning drug trafficking trade, set against a backdrop of 1980s Lagos, struggling under the weight of austerity measures and the infamous War Against Indiscipline. The adaptation is from a script by Atta and Afolayan.
Swallow is the first film from Kunle Afolayan’s multi-title Netflix slate and gives a feature film debut to musician Eniola ‘Niyola’ Akinbo in the lead role of Tolani Ajao — a bright-eyed young woman who tries to make it in the obstacle-ridden Lagos. Other actors on the stellar cast list include Ijeoma Grace Agu (as Rose), Deyemi Okanlanwon (as Sanwo), Eniola Badmus (as Mrs Durojaiye), Chioma Akpotha (as Mama Chidi), Kevin Ikeduba (as OC), Offiong Anthony Edet (as Johnny) and veteran Olusegun Remi (as Mr Salako).
Afolayan said of the film, “this is the very first book I am making into a movie. Once I read the book, I had to decide on what aspect of the book I wanted to focus on and whose perspective I wanted to share based on the story because Swallow as a book focused on the life of Tolani’s mother and Tolani herself. Once that was sorted every other thing was put in place.”
The film will debut on October 1st, 2021, exclusively on Netflix.
See the official teaser below:
