Editi Effiong dedicated four years to create his movie “The Black Book.”
This lengthy timeline was well-justified, given the intricate nature of the project.
Effiong collaborated with co-writer Bukunmi Ajakaiye to develop the story and spent about two years on pre-production planning.
Filming commenced in Lagos once the world was in recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The director closely collaborated with the late Pat Nebo on production design, spanning locations in Lagos and Kaduna, to bring his vision to life.
Effiong emphasized Nebo’s significant contribution, stating that everything in the film that isn’t human is a result of production design, with 38 sets built from scratch.
Shooting the film, which Effiong described as “the most logistically advanced adventure ever undertaken in the Nigerian film industry,” took four months, followed by approximately a year and a half in post-production.
Released on September 22, 2023, “The Black Book” has proven its worth as one of the most-watched movies globally and the largest film from Nigeria on the streaming platform.
The movie’s plot centers on Paul Edima, a man seeking justice after corrupt police officers kill his only son.
In his quest for revenge, he delves into his own shadowy past, intertwined with Nigeria’s history of drug trafficking.
The cast of the film includes Richard Mofe-Damijo, Ade Laoye, Sam Dede, Alex Usifo Omiagbo, Shaffy Bello, Ikechukwu Onunaku, Denola Grey, and Boki Ofodile.
“The Black Book” is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
