Wukda’s short film explores the intrigue and fear felt when you truly face yourself

In Wukda’s new short film, War Within, we follow a troubled character as he attempts to escape his internal troubles and self-doubts. Set in a typically bucolic English countryside location, he flees a lonely, dark house and hits the open road in a classic car but is ultimately forced to confront those deepest secrets and fears.

Udara is an experimental fantasy by Daniel Obasi that isn’t time bound rather draws inspiration from the past and present in an attempt to broaden the perspective of what is possible with igbo culture. The film is an ode to the diverse layers of being igbo through; symbolism, music, traditional beliefs, the mild conflict and inter dependence between christianity and traditional religion within the igbo communities. Udara approaches spirituality softly and sheds light on certain igbo beliefs like reincarnation “the belief that someone can be re born in another lifetime’’. It Blends abstracts concepts with characters from the film metaphorically. The tone of the film is one of loss and not entirely about celebration with hopes to draw attention to a culture that is gradually dying. Udara is a visual experiment that shows how igbo culture can be discussed alternatively. Designers Gozel Green Fruché Cast: Ada - Marvelous Mamuro Nne - Blessing Dike Agu - Joshua Adelubi Eze- Ezemeju Jude Crew: Director and Stylist – Daniel Obasi Director of Photography – Ugo Oparadike Assistant Camera – Joseph Isaac Editor – Gina Amama Colorist – Remano De Beer BTS – Daniel Okei Makeup – Lauretta Orji Sound Design – Emmanuel Ejidike Sound consultancy – Falana Voice Actor – Chidi Ihejiagwa Production Manager – Ifeoma Kalu Special Thanks to: Asaga and Ebem Communities (Ohafia) Abia State Terykel Hotel Abia State

“War Within is a metaphor on how myself and many others felt at times during 2020. No one could prepare mentality for what happened and as a result a lot has changed and questions were asked,” explains Wukda of this personal project.

The emerging director’s tender, cinematic eye moves from the micro (an unanswered phone) to the macro (a dramatic cliff-top landscape) and uses the protagonist’s movements - sometimes slow and poetic, other times tense and frantic - to ask the viewer how uncomfortable they feel about looking inward.

“Overall, I wanted to make this film relatable to everyone and even though times seem hard now, express the feeling that things will get better,” he adds. “A quote from the film that sticks with me is 'I choose to remain in hope of the future'.”

Read our story on Wukda’s film Free here.


Words Helen Jennings

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Published on 11/03/2021