The 16th edition of the Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards, held on Sunday, September 24, at the Sugar Factory Film Studios in Ilorin, Kwara State, was a night of glitz, celebration, and groundbreaking advocacy. The standout film of the evening, UNLEASHED, produced and directed by Kemi Adekomi, made waves as it won the ‘Best Social Message’ Award category, cementing its place as one of the year’s most impactful Nollywood projects.
UNLEASHED is a poignant and gripping advocacy film tackling the often-overlooked subject of child sexual abuse, particularly from the boy-child perspective. The movie delves into the life of Akin, a man haunted by the trauma of being sexually abused by a home gateman during his childhood. The psychological scars have left him grappling with his identity, failing to meet the expectations of masculinity, and struggling in his role as a husband and father.
The narrative intensifies as Akin’s wife, Esther, worries about the absence of a strong father figure for their children, fearing it will impact their moral development. As the storyline unfolds, Akin confronts his past demons, with viewers left on edge, wondering if redemption and healing will come before it’s too late.
The star-studded cast includes Lateef Adedimeji, Queeneth Agbor, Seun Kentebe, and Sam Uche Anyamele, all of whom delivered stellar performances. Kemi Adekomi’s directorial finesse and her dedication to shining a light on sensitive societal issues resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike.
Speaking about the inspiration behind the film, Adekomi said, “I made DARK CLOUDS about the girl child, which my NGO took to schools and showed free of charge. This time, I decided to create a story focusing on the boy-child narrative, which is often underreported and overlooked. UNLEASHED was born out of a true story and aims to break the silence surrounding male survivors of sexual abuse.”
The BON Awards 2024 celebrated not only the artistic achievements of Nollywood but also the industry’s growing dedication to addressing societal issues through film. UNLEASHED stands as a testament to the power of storytelling in creating awareness and driving advocacy.
With UNLEASHED, Kemi Adekomi has once again proven her ability to merge entertainment with education, leaving a lasting impact on the audience while addressing the pressing need to support survivors of child sexual abuse, especially the boy-child. As Nollywood continues to evolve, films like UNLEASHED highlight the industry’s ability to foster conversations that matter, making this year’s BON Awards a memorable celebration of impactful storytelling.
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.
