First Look at Editi Effiong's Directorial Debut: The Black Book

The official trailer for Netflix Naija's next original, The Black Book, directed and produced by Editi Effiong, has been released.

The million-dollar film was in development for four years. Effiong and writer Bukunmi Ajakaiye began developing the story before the pandemic and filmed it in Lagos as the world recovered from COVID-19.

The film follows Paul Edima, a man seeking justice after his only son is killed by a group of corrupt police officers. He blames the tragedy on his dark, murky past in the military, which he must revisit to exact his revenge.

The man's shadowy past is intertwined with Nigeria’s violent involvement with drugs in the 80s.

“Nigeria has a history of drug trafficking, and The Black Book explores events from the 80s and how they continue to impact us today,” Effiong told CNN in 2021. “It also pays homage to the young people who have borne the brunt of that violence.”

Richard Mofe Damijo delivers what has been described as a career-best performance in the role of the father seeking justice. He underwent intense physical training and dietary changes for months leading up to the shoot to achieve the lean and fit look that the character required.

Effiong, who had only directed a short film titled Fishbone and co-produced several feature films before The Black Book, initially didn't intend to direct the film. However, he couldn't find a director willing to commit a year to a single project, which this film demanded.

Eventually, he had to take on the role while also producing alongside Kemi Lala-Akindoju. He describes it as “easily the most logistically advanced adventure ever undertaken in the Nigerian film industry.”

While The Black Book garnered attention from major American streamers in Nollywood, it ultimately found its home on Netflix.

The film was among the titles announced by the streamer at the recent Light, Camera and Naija gala, along with series sequels for Anikulapo and Oloture, Play Network Studios’ Blood Vessel, EbonyLife Studios’ War, and Kunle Afolayan’s coming-of-age adventure drama Ijogbon.

The Black Book is set to premiere globally on Netflix on September 22. It features an ensemble cast including Sam Dede, Alex Usifo, Taito Ajai-Lycett, Denola Grey, Bimbo Akintola, Ireti Doyle, Shaffy Bello, and many more.