Bolanle Austen-Peters, renowned director of Netflix’s House of Ga’a, has shared her commitment to filmmaking with deep historical context in an interview on Rubbin’ Minds.
Austen-Peters, known for her dedication to showcasing the rich tapestry of Nigerian culture, revealed her motivation for creating films that highlight Nigeria’s best.
“I do what I do because I enjoy it; telling Nigerian stories through the different avenues that I have, ensuring that we put Nigeria on the front burner,” Austen-Peters explained.
“People get to see the best out of Nigeria. This is the connect for Nigerians in the diaspora. We bring home to them wherever they are.”
Her journey into storytelling began in the theatre, where she directed acclaimed stage plays such as Saro, the Musical. Austen-Peters emphasized how her theatrical background enriches her work in film.
“The strength that I bring in is also the strength that I have had from stage. The years of honing my skill on stage have taught me that you can’t cheat. People see everything,” she said.
Austen-Peters is driven by a vision to reach a global audience with her films. “We see movies abroad and they spend billions of dollars to give you the content they give you for you to chew,” she said.
“In Nigeria, we have to get to the point where we cannot compromise. We cannot compromise talents. We cannot think that we’re operating for a local audience. The world is smaller. Everything you do here is seen across many oceans in nanoseconds.”
I’m not operating with the mindset that this is local. I’m operating with a mindset that whatever I do must have that global standard of excellence in it.”
Through her work, Austen-Peters aims to elevate Nigerian cinema to a global stage, reflecting her unwavering dedication to both her craft and her country’s cultural narrative.
READ ALSO: Police arrest 40 over looting, violence in Borno protest
