# Eyimofe

Eyimofe (Eyimofe: This Is My Desire) also known as This Is My Desire is a 2020 Nigerian drama film produced, written and directed by twin brothers Arie Esiri and Chuko Esiri on their directorial debuts. The film is made of two chapters called Spain and Italy. The film stars Jude Akuwudike and Temi Ami-Williams in the main lead roles. The film was opened to positive reviews from critics and was screened at various global international film festivals in 17 countries.

## Synopsis

Split into two different chapters, the film revolves around printing shop technician Mofe (Jude Akuwudike) and hairdresser Rosa (Temi Ami-Williams) on their quest for what they anticipate and believe will be a better life on foreign shores. Mofe wishes to go to Spain and Rosa hopes to go to Italy. However, Mofe loses his family, while Rosa fails in taking care of her younger pregnant sister and marries her landlord out of necessity.

## Cast

* Jude Akuwudike as Mofe
* Temi Ami-Williams as Rosa
* Cynthia Ebijie as Grace
* Tomiwa Edun as Seyi
* Jacob Alexander as Peter
* Chioma Omeruah as Mama Esther
* Ejike Asiegbu as Goddey
* Sadiq Daba as Jakpor
* Imoh Eboh as nurse
* Chiemela Azurunwa as doctor
* Kemi Lana Akindoju as Hope
* Kelechi Udegbe as Dauda
* Emeka Nwagbaraocha as Akin
* Chidumebi Nzeribe as Celestine
* Omoye Uzamere as Precious
* Charles Ukpong as Abu
* Fortune Nwafor as Wisdom
* Rita Edward as Peace
* Emmanuel Adeji as Blessing
* Toyin Oshinaike as Vincent
* Nonso Odogwu as Barrister Onuah

## Production

The film was announced by twin brothers Arie Esiri and Chuko Esiri as they jointly worked on the project. The film marked the directorial debut for them as they co-directed the film. The film was funded entirely in Nigeria and was shot in 16mm and was filmed across 48 locations in Lagos where the film was set. Few portions of the film were also shot in New York. The film was awarded the 2018 Purple List Award and was chosen as one of the ten projects in 2019 IFP Narrative Lab in New York.

## Release

The film has screened at various international film festivals held in South Africa, Netherlands, US, Italy, Poland, UK, Spain, Brazil, Portugal, UAE, Canada, Austria, China, Greece, Egypt, Germany and India.
The film was officially selected to be premiered in 17 countries in their respective film festivals as follows
* 70th Berlin International Film Festival, Germany (24 February 2020)
* Vancouver International Film Festival, Canada (26 September 2020)
* BFI London Film Festival, UK (11 October 2020)
* 2020 Film Africa
* 2020 Indie Lisboa International Film Festival, Portugal
* 2020 Internacional de Cinema São Paulo International Film Festival/Mostra São Paulo Film Festival, Brazil
* 2020 Cinecitta International Film Festival, Netherlands
* AFI Film Festival, USA (20 October 2020)
* 2020 Valladolid International Film Festival, Spain
* Sharjah Film Platform Festival, UAE
* 2020 Cairo International Film Festival, Egypt
* 2020 Thessaloniki International Film Festival, Greece
* 2020 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
* 2020 New Horizons International Film Festival, Poland
* Torino Film Festival, Italy (24 November 2020)
* 2020 Hainan Island International Film Festival, China
* Viennale, Austria
* World Panorama section of the 51st International Film Festival of India (24 January 2021)
* 2021 BlackStar Film Festival

## Reception

The film received positive reviews from critics. Glenn Kenny of RogerEbert.com gave it 3.5 stars out of four, writing that it is "a confident, knowing, empathetic effort. While the themes here are, of course, redolent of neorealism, the filmmakers don’t make ostentatious nods to cinema past. Their voice is their own; the camera is mobile when it needs to be, but stands still much of the time, letting the excellent cast build their characters as the events of the film test their endurance. And endurance rather than desire is what the movie is finally all about."
Writing in The New Yorker, novelist Teju Cole called it an "artful and luminous film" and "a search for how best to live." Comparing it to Wong Kar Wai’s In The Mood for Love, Asghar Farhadi’s A Separation, and Mati Diop’s Atlantics, he concludes: "It is a testament to Chuko Esiri’s compact and intelligent script that the film moves by its own persuasive logic, feeling neither like a catalogue of miseries nor a sentimental exercise in third-world pluck."
It was listed as one of the best African films of 2022.
The film maintains a "Fresh" score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, and an average score of 7.9, after 22 reviews by critics.

## Awards and nominations

The film received few awards and nominations at film festivals. It won the Achille Valdata Award at the 2020 Torino International Film Festival.
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
| 2020 | Berlin International Film Festival | Best First Feature | Nominated |
| 2020 | Indie Lisboa International Film Festival | Grand Prize City of Lisbon | Nominated |
| 2020 | Torino Film Festival | Prize of the City of Torino | Nominated |
| 2020 | Valladolid International Film Festival | Best Feature Film | Nominated |
| 2020 | Berlinale | Best First Film | Nominated |
| 2021 | BlackStar Film Festival | Best Feature Narrative | Won |
| 2021 | Africa Movie Academy Awards | Best Film | Nominated |
| 2021 | Africa Movie Academy Awards | Best Director | Won |
| 2021 | Africa Movie Academy Awards | Best Actor in a Leading Role | Nominated |
| 2021 | Africa Movie Academy Awards | Achievement in Editing | Won |
| 2021 | Africa Movie Academy Awards | Best Nigerian Film | Won |
| 2021 | Africa Movie Academy Awards | Best Sound | Won |
| 2021 | Africa Movie Academy Awards | Best First Feature Film by a Director | Won |