By Chris Onuoha

New Nollywood is about to witness a significant milestone as Dr. Princess Ezinne Agwu, a fresh yet formidable entrant, completes her multi-million Naira debut film project, “The Mandate,” in Paris. Dr. Ezinne, transitioning from a stellar career in international law and jurisprudence to filmmaking, has teamed up with the globally acclaimed Nigerian director Ike Nnaebue to bring this political drama to life.

Ike Nnaebue, who returns to fiction filmmaking after the success of his documentary “No U-Turn,” is the Director on the project. His documentary earned him numerous accolades, including a Berlinale Jury Special Mention and awards from the African Movie Academy and the Durban International Film Festival.
Speaking about “The Mandate” and his collaboration with Dr. Ezinne, Ike remarked, “It is every director’s dream to work with a highly creative producer who is never afraid to throw in all the resources a story of this magnitude requires. ‘The Mandate’ is a tale of bravery in a world where fear has become the order of the day.”

Sources close to Royalty Life Studios, where Dr. Ezinne serves as CEO, indicate that the film’s budget exceeds 700 million Naira. However, Dr. Ezinne declined to confirm the exact figures, stating, “The film is not finished yet. We will reveal the budget of the film when the film is ready.”

“The Mandate” follows the story of Dr. Ezinne Egbuna, Director-General of the Financial Crimes Bureau, who challenges the status quo in Nigeria’s male-dominated political arena. In her quest to combat corruption and spur development, she resigns from her prestigious position to run for governor. Her candidacy, under the DPC Party led by Hon. Lucas Amadi, faces fierce opposition from the DPA and hidden enemies within her own party. The narrative explores whether Dr. Egbuna can overcome these formidable challenges and fulfill her mission.

The film features a stellar cast, including Femi Adebayo, Deyemi Okanlawon, Ali Nuhu, Kalu Ikeagwu, Okey Bakasi, Queen Dimma Edochie, Chioma Nwoha, and introduces Peter Ngene.

Dr. Ezinne emphasized that the decision to conduct post-production in Paris aligns with her vision of producing local stories with a global appeal. “We are committed to telling local stories for the global audience,” she stated during a press event in Abuja. Details on the film’s release plan and dates will be announced soon.

As the anticipation builds, “The Mandate” promises to be a landmark film that not only showcases the talent of its cast and crew but also highlights critical societal issues through a compelling narrative. With Dr. Ezinne Agwu’s legal acumen and Ike Nnaebue’s directorial prowess, this film is set to make waves both locally and internationally.