Chilling Thriller ‘The Beads’ Premieres to Rich Cultural Celebrations

Iyke Bede

Recently, celebrities, movie lovers, and industry insiders convened for the premiere of ‘The Beads,’ a thriller set in southwestern Nigeria exploring the concept of temporal entrapment.

Produced by Akinbayo Morakinyo via H-Debay Production, the premiere was held at Filmhouse Cinema, Oniru, Lagos, heralding its debut on the global video-on-demand platform, Prime Video.

The event transformed the venue into a vibrant affair marked by rich cultural celebrations that showcased the beauty and diversity of Nigerian culture. Guests were treated to a culinary trip showcasing canapés and drinks served in traditional utensils. With traditional music, dance, and attire adorned with beads, the event captivated attendees and highlighted the significance of cultural preservation. The film stars Nollywood sensation Zainab Balogun, who delivers a riveting performance playing the lead role of Ranti, a former substance user stuck in a time loop and racing against time to save herself from dying on her wedding day.

“We only have one life and one chance. There are no second chances or opportunities to come back and redo life again. So whatever we do now, we must make sure we are intentional and do it well. Most importantly, we must make sure that we are at peace with the choices that we make,” Balogun reflected on the film’s morals.

Some of the notable personalities who attended include Iyabo Ojo, Tayo Faniran, Yvonne Jegede, and Idowu Philips, popularly known as Iya Rainbow, among others.

Written and directed by Muyinoluwa Ezekiel, the journey from script to screen spanned three years. Ezekiel describes the project as deeply personal, something she felt compelled to direct herself.

“I didn’t want it to be directed in such a way that the story is lost because two people cannot direct the same way, no matter how hard you try,” she said.

‘The Beads’ features an impressive lineup that includes Zainab Balogun, Shaffy Bello, Adedimeji Lateef and Efa Iwara, among others.