AFRIFF: Getting Involved In The Woman King And Half Of A Yellow Sun Grew My Hunger To See Nigeria Bring Out A Movie That The World Notices – John Boyega

At the 13th edition of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), British actor John Boyega took centre stage, sharing his journey from a London classroom to Hollywood stardom. With Nigerian roots and a passion for storytelling, Boyega expressed his ambition to see Nigerian cinema globally recognised.

Boyega, whose full name is John Adedayo Bamidele Adegboyega, grew up in London as the son of Nigerian parents. One of his first sparks for acting struck when he witnessed a live set featuring Johnny Depp as Black Sparrow for Pirates of the Caribbean at his school. He was in awe and watched Johnny Depp perform the whole day. “That was the last day I came to that school,” Boyega added, recalling how this experience motivated him to pursue acting seriously.

His first breakthrough came with the 2011 action/horror film Attack the Block, where he played the lead role, Moses. Though the film initially struggled in the U.K., its success in the U.S. helped him enter the American film industry. An unexpected encounter with Tom Cruise, who recognised Boyega from Attack the Block, reinforced that he was on the right path.

Years later, Boyega’s career-defining role in Star Wars was hard-earned, involving nine months of auditions and screen tests. During the Star Wars auditioning and waiting period, Jack Snyder and the Power Rangers offered him roles in Justice League. It became a “gambling game”, as he called it. He couldn’t accept any audition whilst still waiting on Star Wars and wasn’t even sure that Star Wars would choose him. He decided to reject the offers and stay on Star Wars.

Boyega teared up on stage, recalling how J.J. Abrams had confirmed he had gotten the part to him in a restaurant.

Reflecting on his favourite roles, Boyega singled out They Cloned Tyrone and The Woman King. In The Woman King, he enjoyed a unique on-set experience, working alongside powerful female leads in a film that explored African history.

In The Woman King, I just enjoyed. I enjoyed myself. I experienced true equality. The women were fighting. I was pampered in robes. With many, many wives, he caused a burst of laughter in the audience.

Boyega also spoke about his curiosity and pride for Nollywood. Watching his mother enjoy Nollywood films and working on projects like The Woman King and Half of a Yellow Sun, which was shot in Nigeria, deepened his interest. He hopes for a future where Nigerian films achieve global acclaim. “Getting involved in The Woman King and Half of a Yellow Sun grew my curiosity and hunger to see Nigeria bring out a movie that the world notices”.

As for Nollywood’s potential, Boyega believes that quality filmmaking will be essential in bridging the gap between Nigerian actors and their Western counterparts.

To collaborate, people need to get off their high horses. You need to get off your Nollywood high horse. I need to get off my Hollywood high horse, he added.

Boyega also praised Nollywood actress Genevieve Nnaji as a role model, admiring her performances and career-Boyega expressed his vision for a thriving Nigerian film industry – one that can earn billions in dollars in the global space, and it will be possible depending on the kind of content the industry puts out. “It’s not just about making films that are cool for us but films that the world can praise you for,” he said.

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