LOGLINE
With Nigerian queer history erased from the national narrative of Nigeria, queer Nigerians in the UK gather to tell their stories, documenting their experiences so
they can never be erased again.
SYNOPSIS
"When will you come home?"
Tim's mother asks. Little did she know that Tim had fled Nigeria to seek asylum in the UK. They cannot return home for another 5 years. To explain the series of events that lead them here, would mean coming out to their mother as a lesbian and admitting that they left the country for fear of persecution.
The Archive: Queer Nigerians follows five queer Nigerians living in the UK as they document their lives through audio diaries. From childhood to the present, participants share stories that explore how universal ideas of family, love, and finding oneself are obfuscated within the intersection of blackness, African-ness, and queerness.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
As a first-generation Nigerian immigrant and a queer individual, my desire for community is what motivates this project and is woven into the fabric of its production. The Archive: Queer Nigerians seeks to connect the personal histories of queer Nigerians in the UK to broader Nigerian queer history.
To do so I wanted to create a unique aesthetic that synthesises traditional Yoruba storytelling modes with new traditions being built in the UK today.
Nigerian oral tradition served as the primary medium for historical and cultural preservation. This project brings this traditional technique into a modern context in the form of audio diaries, placing emphasis on recording history from the mouths of those who experience it. Audio diaries prioritise participant autonomy, and afford incredible access into people's lives in a way that interviews alone cannot. Thus what we hear is unfiltered and raw.
The film weaves together three textures of video images: black and white 16mm film footage of a queer retelling of the Yoruba origin story, colour 16mm film footage of each participant in their safe spaces, and found footage that depict London and Nigerian homes. These visuals are deeply poetic, employing composition and colour to create a distinct visual tone for each contributor.
My choice to film parts of the documentary using an analogue camera is in response to the erasure of queer past, present and future in Nigeria. The sheer act of recording something on film transforms it into an archival moment that cannot be ignored. Here the iconic powers of photographic imagery - to recall and challenge history - are activated.
CONTRIBUTOR STATEMENTS
TIMINEPRE | (They/Them)
"How can queerness be un-Nigerian when my life journey is a testament to the power of embracing personal authenticity, challenging societal norms, whilst celebrating the richness of my heritage."
MORYAO | (She/Her/They)
"participated in the film to create history for those before and to give hope to those to come. To provide a snapshot into the joys and tribulations that come with my identity. To provide a voice for those not as fortunate as I."
KOLA | (He/Him)
"I'm deeply invested in dismantling myths/lies that Nigeria and Africa as a whole wasn't home for queer people & so now shouldn't be home for queer people. I count it a privilege to do any & everything I can to move the needle in this work, participating in this documentary, putting my body/image/ essence into it is one of such privileges."
ALEX | (He/Him)
"I hope to inspire resilience to those who faced discrimination and homophobia. I would like for British audiences to be reminded that the legacy of colonialism in Nigeria has resulted in unshifting homophobia which can damage lives. I hope that this documentary will open a dialogue for change and equality towards LGBTQ+ Nigerians who are often voiceless"
CHIMA | (They/Them)
"I participated in the film because I wanted my family and our experiences to be recorded in the archive. I believe archiving experiences such as ours to be vital. I want Nigerian and U.K audiences to learn that there are many alternative ways to build a fulfilling life and queer community is a key way for that to happen."