Nollywood actress and producer Efe Irele has called for a shift in Nigeria’s cinema culture, urging filmmakers to tell more emotionally resonant stories. Speaking in an interview with ADENIYI ADEWOYIN, Irele reflected on her journey as an actor and producer, emphasizing the power of films that touch real-life experiences.

Her cinema debut, My Mother is a Witch, was born out of a desire to challenge herself and tell stories that audiences can truly connect with.

“I want to do something for the big screen, a story that people would relate to and connect with. I love stories that people can connect with,” she said.

Irele revealed that the most profound feedback from viewers was how the film resonated deeply with their personal experiences:

“A lot of people said to me, ‘You told my story – thank you so much. I feel like I healed from watching your film.’ Seeing that connection was mind-blowing for me.”

While acknowledging the commercial pressures of Nollywood, Irele believes there is room for more emotionally-driven films alongside the traditional love and comedy genres.

“It’s nice to go to the movies and laugh, but some other time, let’s watch things that would water our minds like a plant,” she added.

Reflecting on her approach to acting, Irele shared how personal experiences, particularly with her own mother, informed her performance:

“My mom is a tough-love type of mother, so I literally took back even from when we were working on the script… it was a hard place to go to, but it made the story authentic.”

She also weighed in on broader industry issues, including cinema accessibility, the impact of female filmmakers, and collaborations among women.

“If we have more accessible cinemas and if we don’t make the cinema culture more of something like a whole event, it will really help our industry,” she noted.
“Seeing the number of female storytellers coming out makes me proud. Women are bringing more detail and depth into storytelling.”

On fame, Irele admitted it took time to adjust, particularly for her family, but she has embraced the spotlight:

“It was weird at first, but I kind of got used to it. This is my new life.”

With her unique approach to storytelling and commitment to emotionally engaging films, Efe Irele is pushing Nollywood toward more thoughtful, relatable cinema.