Lagos is Nollywood’s hub.  However, every day, films continue to be shot across other Nigerian cities such as Asaba, Enugu, Ibadan, and Abuja. These films may fit outside mainstream Nollywood, that is, films shot in Lagos for theatrical release, but they are equally watched and are even more reflective of the lives of the better percentage of Nigerians than the cinema films that mostly romanticize wealth and luxury living. Nollywood is typically sub-categorized into other branches like Asaba Nollywood (films shot in the less bustling city of Asaba or other parts of southeastern Nigeria) and Yoruba Nollywood (the Yoruba-language film industry), known for the less “artistic” films that are still released straight-to-video (the method of film distribution that birthed the industry) and, recently, on YouTube.

The industry is, however, quite de-structured. Sporadically, independent filmmakers outside of these industry divides, with a keen attention to both the technicality and art of filmmaking, spring up to tell quintessential Nigerian stories. For In Ibadan, first-time feature film director Taiwo Egunjobi disavows Nollywood’s penchant for crass comedies and maudlin dramas, offering instead a simple yet heartfelt story about love and forgiveness set in the ancient city of Ibadan.

Former Lovers, Ewa (Goodness Emmanuel) and Obafemi (Temilolu Fosudo), are reunited in their hometown of Ibadan, years after their breakup, which was partly a consequence of Ewa’s relocation to Lagos. They confront the issues that caused their separation and attempt closure. The story is inspired not just by the life of the director, but also other members of the cast and crew domiciled in Ibadan, who have had to juggle relationships and career opportunities between the ancient city and Lagos, the city of dreams.

Taiwo Egunjobi and I conversed about the making of In Ibadan and Nigerian cinema.