Of all her many talents, acting is one side to Oreka Godis that is still shaping up. Gradually, she’s been able to build a decent portfolio in television, from the zany, female-focused talk series 3LiveChicks to Dowry, the EbonyLife TV miniseries directed by Victor Sanchez Aghahowa.
And there was the unexpected depth and complexity Godis brought to her performance in the 2014 stage play For Coloured Girls, alongside Funke Akindele and Osas Ighodaro. That said, I find Faces curiously interesting, a feature film that distinguishes itself from the other projects that Godis has been involved in. Side note: it’s not your typical Nollywood production.
Directed by Joseph Adesunloye, the award-winning British-Nigerian filmmaker known for works like 46, White Colour Black, and Beyond Plain Sight, Faces was shot in London, and employs a multi-narrative voice that follows a group of characters as their lives begin to unravel against the backdrop of a bustling city. And yasss, the movie has gay characters. Eat your hearts out, homophobes!
Louie and Gaspard, played by Denver Isaac and Adam Strawford, are the happily-in-love gay couple until a woman from Louie’s past arrives in their lives and splinters their relationship. That sucks, really. Godis plays Chika, and the trailer posted to the actress’ Instagram page shows her moving hurriedly into a house and kissing a man in the opening shot. Give us more, Chika! Or Godis. Ah, whatever.
Faces also stars Michelle Tiwo, Suzette Llewellyn, Matthieu Charneau, Mitch Morgan, Tunji Falana, and South African actress Terry Pheto, whose face looms on the official movie poster. The Durban International Film Festival will celebrate its 39th edition from 19th to July 29th in Durban, South Africa, and Faces will screen on July 22, at Suncoast Cinecentre 5; July 24, at Garden Court, and July 27, at Musgrave 6.
Perhaps Faces could propel Godis into more cultural recognition. And after that – Nollywood.
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