We built 38 sets from scratch for 'The Black Book' - Editi Effiong
The director Editi Effiong closely collaborated with the late Pat Nebo on production design, spanning locations, to bring his vision to life.
Effiong emphasized Nebo’s significant contribution, stating that everything in the film that isn’t human is a result of production design, with 38 sets built from scratch.
Shooting the film, which Effiong described as “the most logistically advanced adventure ever undertaken in the Nigerian film industry,” took four months, followed by approximately a year and a half in post-production.
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Released on September 22, 2023, “The Black Book” has proven its worth as one of the most-watched movies globally and the largest film from Nigeria on the streaming platform.
The movie’s plot centers on Paul Edima, a man seeking justice after corrupt police officers kill his only son.
In his quest for revenge, he delves into his own shadowy past, intertwined with Nigeria’s history of drug trafficking.
The cast of the film includes Richard Mofe-Damijo, Ade Laoye, Sam Dede, Alex Usifo Omiagbo, Shaffy Bello, Ikechukwu Onunaku, Denola Grey, and Boki Ofodile.
One of the biggest challenges we faced as the production team was to recreate its distinctive architecture, fashion, and culture. We wanted to be as authentic and accurate as possible, so we decided to build our own sets from scratch.
“We can’t talk about The Black Book without talking about Pat Nebo. Everything that you see in the film that is not human is production design. We built 38 sets throughout the film, and every single one of them looks amazing. He built everything from scratch.”
We built 38 sets in total ranging. We used local materials and craftsmen, and consulted with historians and experts to ensure that every detail was correct. We also hired hundreds of extras and dressed them in period costumes.
The result was a stunning visual representation of a turbulent and tragic period in Nigeria's history, which we hope will resonate with audiences around the world. The Black Book is more than just a film; it is a tribute to the resilience and courage of the people who lived through the war, and a reminder of the importance of peace and reconciliation.
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