By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
In a rare and symbolic convergence of royalty and literary excellence, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka attended the premiere of veteran filmmaker Muyiwa Ademola’s latest cinematic work, Ori Rebirth, at the cinema over the weekend.
The event, which drew an eclectic mix of dignitaries, culture enthusiasts, and entertainment stakeholders, underscored the growing significance of Yoruba-themed storytelling in the global cinematic landscape. The presence of the Ooni and Prof. Soyinka elevated the status of the film, attracting widespread attention both online and offline.
Muyiwa Ademola, popularly known as “Muyiwa Authentic,” expressed heartfelt appreciation for the dignitaries’ attendance, describing it as a monumental endorsement of the message and cultural depth of Ori Rebirth.
“It is indeed Ori Rebirth — a moment of cultural validation and historic unity,” Ademola said. “To have His Imperial Majesty, the Arole Oodua, and Prof. Wole Soyinka under the same roof to watch my work is beyond an honor. It’s a call for us, as filmmakers, to preserve and project our heritage.”
The film Ori Rebirth is a sequel to Ademola’s 2004 classic Ori, which explored destiny, choices, and the invisible battles of life. The new film, years in the making, revisits these themes while introducing modern-day challenges facing identity, spirituality, and cultural erosion among the Yoruba people.
Also present at the premiere was the Brazilian Consul General to Nigeria, further emphasizing the international interest in Yoruba heritage and the trans-Atlantic cultural ties linking Nigeria and Brazil.
Speaking briefly after the screening, Prof. Wole Soyinka praised the thematic depth of the movie and commended Ademola’s commitment to culturally rooted storytelling. “Cinema, when used truthfully, becomes a mirror. Muyiwa has held up that mirror, and we all must look closely,” Soyinka said.
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The Ooni, who has consistently advocated for the preservation of Yoruba culture through modern platforms, emphasized the importance of creative expression as a tool for cultural continuity. “This is a renaissance of our identity,” the monarch noted. “Let us continue to tell our stories ourselves, not through foreign lenses.”
The premiere of Ori Rebirth signals a renewed momentum in Nigeria’s indigenous film industry, known as Nollywood. As streaming giants and international distributors look towards Africa, stories like Ori Rebirth stand as testaments to the power of local narratives.
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The film is currently showing in cinemas nationwide.
