How to make a breathtaking thriller by denouncing physical violence against women? It is the successful bet of Blood Sisters with an impressive cast and directed by Biyi Bandele and Kenneth Gyang. The first Nigerian mini-series produced by Netflix tells the tribulations of Sarah (Ini Dima-Okojie), a young woman supposed to marry a rich heir, Kola (Deyemi Okanlawon). But at the last moment, she decides to say no to her abusive fiancé. A rebellion that will cost him dearly and in which his best friend Kemi (Nancy Isime) becomes an essential ally. The four episodes, available since the beginning of May on Netflix and which are today in the top 10 of the platform in Nigeria, were produced in partnership with Ebony Life Studios, a Nigerian structure directed by Mo Abudu. Interview with the villain of this series, Deyemi Okanlawon aka Kola Ademola.
You are the absolute anti-hero in “Blood Sisters”. How do you decide to portray a violent man?
Deyemi Okanlawon: I have always campaigned against domestic violence, rape and all forms of violence against women as well as for gender equality by participating in various workshops, debates, thanks to organizations that raise awareness on these issues. Because I respect women – my mother, my sisters, my wife − I think it is important to protect their rights, especially when they are violated. The scenario of Blood Sisters got me hooked. Although I play the villain of the story, I quickly realized that for it to have impact, each of its protagonists had to be convincing. Including Kola Ademola that I interpret. Although personally it worried me that some could not distinguish between fiction and reality. Which has happened in the past. However, my desire to help tell an impactful story outweighed any discomfort I might possibly feel in this type of situation. I then imposed on myself an intense preparation to take on this role.
It was physical, you say, but above all psychological…
I was brought up well, like many Nigerian men I grew up with. We were taught to respect people in general, women in particular, and children as we grew up. Whatever the situation, except when it comes to self-defense, violence is always the wrong answer. However, as an actor, when I play a character, I don’t claim to be, I am. And to camp Kola, I obviously put aside all the values in which I believe, a mentally trying process. So much so that every time we had to shoot scenes where my character was violent, I remember I had goosebumps and I felt nauseous. Then it took me months to get out of that character. I didn’t go home until I found a sense of normalcy. It was almost like going to rehab. To date, in my career, it is the character who has been the most difficult to manage.
You made this film for its sensitizing dimension. The success of the series, not only in Nigeria, is therefore good news. How do you explain it ?
This demonstrates that the subject is of concern all over the world, not just in Nigeria. Domestic violence and violence against women in general are of concern. The success of Bloodsisters shows that the audience found themselves in this fiction because it was well done, whether in terms of the quality of the production, the story or even the acting. It also means that people were touched because they identified with the characters in this series. I am very happy that the victim of this story finally found his voice with the support of someone who loves him. Women can identify with it and tell themselves that they can stand up and say no. I am very proud of the success of Blood Sisters and its impact, especially on young women. Furthermore, I believe that it is important for men to mobilize when it comes to educating other men. Between us, we can literally shake each other off and tell each other the truth. It is our responsibility to have these kinds of conversations among ourselves. Its very important. I have seen many men mobilize in this direction and I am very proud of them.
The broadcast of the mini-series came a few weeks after the death of a famous Nigerian gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu, victim of domestic violence according to those around him and for whom a petition was launched to demand justice. What reaction did the series get in Nigeria ?
A question haunts people: how Osinachi whom we love and whose music we appreciate got to the point where she was unable to defend herself and preserve her life ? And Blood Sisters arrives and depicts us how it all begins : if you see red flags, you need to take matters into your own hands before it’s too late ! I hope and pray that people take this from Bloodsisters, that they’ll tell themselves that when a situation isn’t right for them, whatever gains they think they’ll get from it, it’s just not worth it. We see in this film the beginning of an abusive relationship. Also in real life we have already seen what happens after years of abuse. I hope we will learn a lesson or two from all of this. For example, that the family and friends of such people should not systematically oppose those who denounce them under the pretext that it does not look like them. You always have to look for the truth in this type of situation. This is the approach adopted in the series Akin, played by Daniel Etim Effiong, Kola’s best friend who discovers the hidden side.
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What Netflix Is Changing For Nollywood Professionals ?
Collaborating with a platform like Netflix first allows us to finally have the funding to tell the stories we want to tell. Films produced in other parts of the world benefit from this funding, which allows them to hire the right people and gather all the necessary resources to produce a story that is as believable as possible. With Blood Sisters, this is one of the few times we have had this opportunity in Nigerian broadcasting. Next, Netflix has a global platform. So we not only have the funding, but also the right distribution channels that allow our stories to travel around the world.
We never stop advocating for “African stories by Africans” and advocating that we need to tell our stories to the world. Now we have the financing and the distribution channel. Today, we have what it takes for the world to discover our productions, especially the most accomplished ones. It is crucial for our industry. I hope other platforms will follow Netflix’s lead and people will be encouraged to invest in a very successful and rapidly growing industry. The growth rate observed over the past five or ten years is impressive. I worked in distribution and I was therefore a privileged witness. I am very happy to belong to this generation of cinema professionals. However, I want to emphasize that this could not have happened if our elders and pioneers had not built a solid foundation.
I also hope that Nigerian actors can be featured in Netflix productions around the world and other international films. The French series Lupin is Netflix original content and I still wonder why there is no Nigerian in the credits. More broadly, it would be welcome to promote diversity everywhere in the world because I think it is the only way to highlight the struggles of each of us, provided that we are correctly represented. You have to make sure that he there there is diversity not only in our stories, but also in the people who star in these films.
To see on Netflix
Bloodsisters, by Biyi Bandele and Kenneth Gyang
With Ini Dima-Okojie, Nancy Isime, Deyemi Okanlawon, Gabriel Afolayan, Kate Henshaw, Joke Silva, Ramsey Nouah, Segun Arinze, Uche Jombo, Wale Ojo, Kehinde Bankole and Daniel Etim Effiong.