Fathia Williams is under fire over her new movie, Efunroye: The Unicorn. Here’s why.
Nollywood filmmaker Faithia Williams Balogun has responded to the backlash over her upcoming movie, Efunroye: The Unicorn, which has sparked heated debate online. Announcing the movie’s release on X (formerly Twitter) on October 23, 2024, Williams shared the official poster captioned with “Power, Trade, Legacy.” She introduced Efunroye: The Unicorn as a story about Efunroye Osuntinubu, a significant yet controversial figure in Nigerian history, described as “more than a warrior, a ruler who rewrote history.”
The controversy centers around Efunroye Osuntinubu’s legacy. Born in 1805, she was a powerful Yoruba aristocrat, merchant, and slave trader who established lucrative trade links with European merchants, dealing in slaves, tobacco, salt, cotton, palm oil, and firearms. Madam Tinubu’s influence extended to economic and political spheres, where her security force of enslaved individuals bolstered her authority and helped her impact local governance.
Addressing the backlash, Williams clarified that Efunroye: The Unicorn is neither a tribute nor an attempt to sanitize a divisive historical figure. She emphasized, “This film is purely a work of artistic interpretation and storytelling. It is not intended to glorify or whitewash Madam Tinubu, nor does it carry any political affiliation. The movie presents her life with balance, capturing both her achievements and controversies, rather than reshaping the historical narrative.”
Williams added that the movie, while inspired by true events, takes creative liberties for an engaging narrative, encouraging viewers to explore Nigerian history with an open mind. “Through this film, we can delve into important parts of our past, but it’s crucial to remember it’s a fictionalized retelling inspired by real events,” she concluded.
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