Faithia Williams alleges cinemas reduced screenings of ‘Efunroye: The Unicorn’

Nollywood actress and filmmaker Faithia Williams has voiced frustration, alleging that several cinemas are deliberately sidelining her latest movie, "Efunroye: The Unicorn." The historical drama, which premiered on May 1st, explores the life of Madam Efunroye Tinubu, a prominent but controversial 19th-century Yoruba merchant and political figure.

Williams claims that despite audience interest, cinemas have reduced the number of screenings and assigned inconvenient late-night slots, including 9 p.m. and midnight showings. In a recent Instagram video, she questioned the scheduling, stating it hinders public access to the film. "I do not know what is happening," she expressed, urging continued support for the project and suggesting similar issues have affected other actresses.

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I do not know what is happening.

The film's portrayal of Efunroye Tinubu, particularly her alleged links to the transatlantic slave trade, has sparked public discussion. Williams has previously clarified that the movie aims for a broader interpretation of the historical figure's life and impact, rather than glorifying or whitewashing her legacy. She described the production as "a work of artistic interpretation and storytelling."

Social media reactions to Williams' claims have been varied. While some Instagram users corroborated her experience, reporting difficulty finding the film in certain locations or facing inconvenient showtimes, others indicated they were able to watch it, albeit sometimes after checking multiple times or accepting late showings. Many comments suggest a widespread perception that the film is not being shown widely enough or is harder to access than anticipated.

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a work of artistic interpretation and storytelling.