African production company Unbound Studios and its subsidiary JM Films have wrapped principal photography on their first feature Water and Garri, with Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage making her acting debut.
Savage (whose Water and Garri music EP was released in 2021) also wrote and performs the film’s original soundtrack and is an executive producer through her Everything Savage company.
Shot in the city of Cape Coast in Ghana, the film casts Savage as a fashion designer with a budding career in the US who returns to her home in Africa to confront the guilt she left behind.
Meji alabi directed the film from Comfort Emmanuel’s script. Unbound’s Jimi Adeanya produced. Alabi and Adesanya serve as executive producers along with Vannessa Amadi Ogbonna. Mike Afolarin and Andrew Bunting, along with Jemima Olsunde, are the executive producers for Savage.
Savage said: “This project was a total labour of love that has long been a dream for me. Aisha allowed me the freedom to be vulnerable and allowed me to express myself in a way I have never done before. It was an honor to share my debut as an actor with Meji while filming on Africa with a cast that I have great admiration and respect. “I’m excited for the film to be seen around the world.”
Alabi said: “Working with Tiwa and the team on Water was an amazing experience. We have worked together on many music projects over the years, and this film was a perfect progression in our creative growth and shared vision to explore beyond borders. It’s an exciting story, and Tiwa made a great debut as a lead actor amongst an amazing supporting cast. Adesanya stated: “Proud that this film was produced with a talented group from crew to cast. Tiwa Savage, the lead actor, and Meji alabi, the film director, made a strong debut. Our amazing support cast captured the story’s depth. Our goal is to produce TV and film projects that are equal in terms of collaboration and high-quality content with major and indigenous players. Nollywood is a very exciting industry right now, with a constant burst in talent and more distribution access. We look forward to playing our part in moving the needle even further.”
