Why ‘Mami Wata’ was shot in black and white − Mautin Olorunleke

Mautin Olorunleke, a filmmaker and executive producer of the film ‘Mami Wata,’ has stated that the film was shot in black and white due to its historical perspective.

Olorunleke, who is also the founder of Guguru Media, told Saturday Beats, “One of the reasons I got involved in the production of the movie was because the compelling narrative lent itself to the striking imagery of black and white. I asked the director, CJ Obasi, about the choice of black and white, and he responded that there was no better approach to convey the story, as it delves into historical issues.

We are aiming to shatter conventions, move beyond the ordinary, and embark on a distinctive path. The story goes back to an era when we witnessed such events unfold on black and white television screens. I am not surprised by its resounding success on the global stage.”

Olorunleke noted that he was excited by the acclaim the film had been garnering, including winning the ‘World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Cinematography’ at this year’s Sundance Film Festival in Utah, United States of America.

He added, “I am glad that at the end of the day, we were able to tell a story that the world will be excited to see. The people who have seen the film have given great feedback on it. It is a proud moment for me, as a film and media executive, to have the foresight to recognise that the project was worth investing in.”