“Dust to Dreams,” a short film written and directed by Idris Elba and produced by Nigerian media mogul Mo Abudu, will premiere on streaming platform EbonyLife ON Plus on Nov. 14.
Set in Lagos, the film follows a dying nightclub owner who passes her legacy to her reserved daughter. When the woman’s estranged soldier father returns, old family tensions emerge, but music becomes their path to reconciliation. The story culminates in a duet that heals their fractured relationships and revitalizes the storied club.
The cast features English singer-songwriter Seal alongside Nollywood actors Nse Ikpe-Etim, Eku Edewor, Atlanta Bridget Johnson and Constance Olatunde.
“This film was the most collaborative process from the production to the actors and musicians. It was made because family matters and love doesn’t die,” Elba said.
Abudu launched EbonyLife ON Plus, an African lifestyle destination celebrating creativity, culture and opportunity, earlier this month.
“Bringing ‘Dust to Dreams’ to life has been a dream come true. This film is a heartfelt reflection of who we are, our love for family, our passion for music, and our deep connections to one another,” Abudu said. “These emotions are universal, and through this story, we invite the world to see that we are not so different after all. This is not a film about poverty or pity porn that the Western world often expects from us.”
Abudu produces alongside Heidi Uys, Gina Carter, Temidayo Makanjuola and Inem King under EbonyLife Films. The project is sponsored by Afreximbank.
“Dust to Dreams” had its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in September, followed by a European bow at the BFI London Film Festival. The film is now qualifying for both Oscar and BAFTA consideration.
A behind-the-scenes special documenting the production will also premiere on EbonyLife ON. The film’s original soundtrack, “Mama,” written by Seal, Olatunde, Elba and The Cavemen and performed by Seal and Constance, will be released globally on Spotify on Nov. 14.
variety.com
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