Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ The Nigerian action thriller “The Black Book” has gained widespread popularity on Netflix, spending three weeks among the platform’s top 10 English-language titles globally. Directed by Editi Effiong, the film achieved 5.6 million views within 48 hours of its release on September 22. By the second week, it was featured among the top 10 titles in 69 countries. Effiong emphasized that the success of “The Black Book” is a natural progression for Nigeria’s film industry, Nollywood, which has been a global phenomenon since the 1990s. The film industry is gaining international attention, with “The Black Book” being a testament to the global appeal of Nigerian storytelling.
Nollywood, known for its prolific output with around 2,000 movies released annually, has consistently produced films that resonate globally. The success of “Living in Bondage” in the 1990s and Kunle Afolayan’s “Aníkúlápó” in 2022, peaking at No. 1 on Netflix’s global chart, highlights the industry’s impact. “The Black Book” follows the story of a bereaved deacon seeking justice for his son, who is framed for kidnapping, and taking on a corrupt police gang. The film addresses universal themes of delayed justice and revenge, with parallels to real-life events like the 2020 protests against police brutality in Nigeria.
Effiong emphasized the empathy and deeply rooted human feelings in African storytelling, noting that African stories provide a sense of novelty and connection. Richard Mofe-Damijo, a Nigerian movie icon, plays the main character, Pastor Paul Edima, in the film. “The Black Book,” with a runtime of 2 hours and 4 minutes, marks Effiong’s first feature film. Financed with a budget of $1 million, the film received support from experts and founders in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, showcasing collaborative efforts in the country’s creative and entrepreneurial sectors. Effiong sees the success of “The Black Book” as a testament to Nollywood’s capability to create stories with global appeal, rooted in African experiences and emotions.
