Conversations from the Past takes us on a journey back in time, imagining a fiery conversation between two influential Nigerian women: Efunroye Tinubu (Fadekemi Olumide Aluko), a wealthy merchant aristocrat, and slave trader, and Sara Forbes Bonetta (Kuchi Chris), Queen Victoria’s Nigerian-born goddaughter. Set in 1863, the film explores their heated debate on the perspectives of sellers and slaves in the slave trade.

Scheduled to premiere on April 7th, 2024, at the Alliance Francaise in Ikoyi, Lagos, the short film boasts a team of accomplished storytellers. It is  written and executive produced by Tunde Leye, author of the critically acclaimed historical fiction novels, Afonja The Rise and Afonja The Fall.

Adesola Oni, whose film projects have won acclaim and inclusion in festivals around the world such as S16, AIHFF, FLICKFAIR, ATLANTIC BRIDGE, etc, serves as director. Damilola Aleje, with a filmmaking pedigree that boasts of projects with Multichoice Africa and Netflix Nigeria, is the producer. 

Under the meticulous eye of Ifan Michael, responsible for production design, and the lens of Otitoola Oluwaseun, director of photography, the film presents a visually intriguing narrative. The proficient crew of 20, overseen by Assistant director Julio Duggan with credits on popular American Drama series like “Ozark,” and production manager Yanmife, collaborated under Ghost Media Productions, a Lagos-based film and video production company.

The film is an adaptation of an excerpt from Leye’s upcoming book Fireflies On The Lagoon, based on the 1851 British Bombardment of Lagos and slated for release later in 2024.