Grammy-winning director examines his Nigerian grandfather's role in the Biafran war
A Grammy-winning Nigerian-American director has introduced a new documentary examining his grandfather's role in the 1967-70 Biafran war. The project pairs family archives with an exploration of the war's intergenerational legacy 55 years on. Filming drew on interviews with families in Lagos, Enugu and London.
BBC AfricaGrammy-winning Nigerian-American director Numa Perrier has told BBC Africa about a new documentary examining her grandfather Colonel Effiong Ekanem's role in the 1967-70 Biafran war. The film draws on family correspondence, oral history with witnesses in Lagos, Enugu and London, and looks at the conflict's intergenerational legacy 55 years on. Perrier said the documentary explores 'how history that has been kept quiet within a family surfaces and contributes to Nigeria's collective memory'.
The Biafran war was a 30-month civil conflict that followed the declaration of independence by eastern Nigerian regions. International observers estimate between 1 and 3 million people lost their lives, largely owing to famine and displacement. University of Lagos historian Professor Toyin Falola told the BBC that a new generation of Nigerian directors is 'opening a door to revisit the war era from multiple perspectives'.
The documentary, titled 'Echoes of Aba', will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. Perrier said she has committed to sharing the production process with industry peers, including Nigerian Filmmakers' Association president Adesua Etomi. The film received joint backing from the Nigerian National Film Commission and the Sundance Foundation. This article is not historical or policy advice; the documentary is offered as one source open to academic discussion.
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