‘Farmer’s Bride’ co-director, Opukeme Speaks on Core Message, Lessons Behind the Film
Jack’enneth Opukeme, the writer and co-director of Farmer’s Bride, has opened up about the central themes and lessons woven into the narrative of the film. Speaking at a press screening in Lagos on Thursday, Opukeme, who co-directed the movie alongside Adebayo Tijani, delved into the complexities of human nature, a driving force behind the film’s storyline.
Drawing inspiration from the character of Odewale in Ola Rotimi’s The Gods Are Not to Blame, Opukeme highlighted the unpredictability of human behavior when individuals are placed under intense pressure. According to the filmmaker, the tragedy that unfolds in Farmer’s Bride could have been avoided had the central character, Funmi, not been coerced into a marriage she did not want.
“Humanity is complex,” Opukeme explained. “You can’t control someone’s reaction after putting them in a tight corner. The film’s message is clear: the consequences of our actions create the monsters we face tomorrow. If the central character had been left alone, the tragedy could have been averted.”
Farmer’s Bride tells the story of Odun, a wealthy farmer whose search for companionship in his old age leads him to marry Funmi, a young woman forced into the union by her parents. As Funmi struggles with the loveless marriage, she becomes involved in an illicit affair with Odun’s nephew, Femi, setting off a chain of betrayal, heartbreak, and ultimately, a tragic conclusion.
The film, which debuted in cinemas on September 27, 2024, features an ensemble cast including Tobi Bakre, Gbubemi Ejeye, Femi Branch, Mercy Aigbe, Efe Irele, and Wumi Toriola.
