“Ireke: Rise of the Maroons” is a historical fantasy film rooted in Yoruba mythology, set in the 18th-century Caribbean plantations. The film tells the story of a defiant slave warrior who leads a rebellion against his oppressors, which leads to the creation of the Maroons and how their resistance ultimately results in a truce and the end of slavery in the region.
Directed by Gbolahan Peter Macjob, an Emmy-nominated BBC journalist, “Ireke: Rise of the Maroons” blends elements of drama, romance, spirituality, and historical epic. Macjob emphasizes the importance of owning the African narrative, highlighting that this film is a monumental entry into African storytelling.
The movie features a stellar cast, including Bolanle Ninalowo, Tobi Bakre, Fathia Balogun, Antar Laniyan, and others.
“Ireke: Rise of the Maroons” made history as the first Nigerian local language film to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. The movie is set for a worldwide release on July 25 in over 100 cinemas across the UK, Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, and Austria – a first for any Nigerian movie.
