''Orah'' is a Canadian crime thriller film, written and directed by

Lonzo Nzekwe Lonzo Nzekwe is a Toronto, Canada-based filmmaker. He creates transnational Nigerian content, including Anchor Baby, his 2010 debut film which became the first Nollywood film available on iTunes. Anchor Baby was released on Netflix on May 20, 20 ...

, and released in 2023.Angelica Babiera
"Circle Blue, Freddie Films, IronFlix team up on Orah"
''

Playback Playback or Play Back may refer to: Film * ''Playback'' (1962 film), a British film in the ''Edgar Wallace Mysteries'' series * ''Playback'', a 1996 film starring Shannon Whirry * ''Playback'' (2012 film), an American horror film by Michael A. N ...

'', November 21, 2022. The film stars Oyin Oladejo as Orah Madukaku, a Nigerian woman who moved to Canada as a

refugee A refugee, conventionally speaking, is a displaced person who has crossed national borders and who cannot or is unwilling to return home due to well-founded fear of persecution.

after intentionally killing a man in her youth. Getting involved in a

money laundering Money laundering is the process of concealing the origin of money, obtained from illicit activities such as drug trafficking, corruption, embezzlement or gambling, by converting it into a legitimate source. It is a crime in many jurisdictions ...

scheme in the hopes of finally being able to bring her son to Canada, she runs afoul of ringleader Bami Hazar (Lucky Ejim), who orders the murder of her son, sparking Orah to go on a revenge spree to settle the score. The cast also includes Morgan Bedard, Agape Mngomezulu,

Somkele Iyamah Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama (born 23 March 1988) is a Nigerian TV and film actress and model. She is well known for her roles in '' 93 Days'' (2016), '' The Wedding Party'', '' The Arbitration'' (2016), and the TV series ''Gidi Up'' (2013–2014) and ...

, Oris Erhuero,

OC Ukeje Okechukwu Ukeje, known as OC Ukeje is Nigerian actor,model and musician. He came into prominence after winning the Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO) reality show. He has received several awards including Africa Movie Academy Awards, Africa Magic Vi ...

, Christopher Seivright, Chris Farquhar, Emeka Nwagbaraocha, Femi Lawson, Jim Calarco,

Tina Mba Tina Mba is a Nigerian actress who was nominated for Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in the 7th Africa Movie Academy Awards. Career In 2017, she starred in ''Isoken'', ''Bariga Suger'', ''Okafor's Law'' among ...

, Phil Popp, Ruby Akubueze, Angel Oduko, Eric Obinna, Novo Imonieroh, Moc Madu and

Kelechi Udegbe Kelechi Udegbe is a Nigerian film actor and voice over artist. He is best known for starring as the lead character in ''Officer Titus''. Since his screen debut in 2009, Kelechi has starred in several films and soaps including ''Behind The Smile ...

Production

The film was shot principally in

Sudbury Sudbury may refer to: Places Australia * Sudbury Reef, Queensland Canada * Greater Sudbury, Ontario (official name; the city continues to be known simply as Sudbury for most purposes) ** Sudbury (electoral district), one of the city's federal e ...

, Ontario, in 2022, with some later location shooting in Lagos, Nigeria where it was art directed by Nigerian production designer and art director, Abisola Omolade.

Distribution

The film was screened for distributors and industry professionals at the

2023 Toronto International Film Festival The 48th annual Toronto International Film Festival was held from September 7 to 17, 2023.Victoria Ahearn"TIFF reveals new programmers and other 2023 festival details" '' Playback'', April 20, 2023. The most noted change from past years was tha ...

, in the Industry Selects program. The film had its official public premiere at the

2023 Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival The 2023 edition of the Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival, the 35th edition in the event's history, took place from September 16 to 24, 2023 in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten province ...

.Clement Goh
"Cinéfest Sudbury marks 35 years with focus on comedy and vampires"
CBC Northern Ontario, August 23, 2023.

References

External links

* 2023 films 2023 drama films English-language Canadian films Canadian crime drama films Black Canadian films 2020s Canadian films Films shot in Greater Sudbury Films shot in Lagos {{2020s-Canada-film-stub