The Story⚡
Neon has secured worldwide rights to Clarissa, the Esiri brothers’ contemporary Nigerian reimagining of Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway, highlighting a strong supporting cast of established Nollywood actors.
Tell Me More
Clarissa, the sophomore feature from Nigerian twin filmmakers Arie and Chuko Esiri is a contemporary reimagining of Virginia Woolf’s 1925 novel Mrs Dalloway, relocating the story’s single-day structure and introspective tone to Nigeria while preserving its exploration of memory, societal expectations, communication versus privacy, the fear of death, and the lingering threat of oppression.
Shot entirely on 35mm film in Lagos and Delta State between November and December 2025, Clarissa centres on Sophie Okonedo as the titular society hostess navigating the preparations for her gathering and the unexpected reappearance of past acquaintances. She is supported by a transatlantic ensemble that includes David Oyelowo, Nikki Amuka, Danny Safani, Fortune Nwafor, Joy Sunday, Ayo Edebiri, India Amarteifio (who plays the younger Clarissa in flashback sequences), Toheeb Jimoh, and Modesinuola Ogundiwin.
Veteran Nigerian actors round out the cast in key supporting roles: Joke Silva, Chigul (Chioma Omeruah), Chuks Joseph, Ego Boyo, Nobert Young, Timi OJ, Kehinde Cardoso, Ovunda Ihunwo, and Eric Emeka. This combination brings together recognised international names with African heritage and established local performers, grounding the production in authentic Nigerian voices while broadening its appeal across markets.
The Esiri brothers, born in Warri and raised in Lagos, first gained attention with their debut feature Eyimofe (This Is My Desire), a poignant dual portrait of Lagos residents chasing opportunities abroad that premiered at the 2020 Berlin Film Festival and screened at numerous international events. Clarissa represents a significant step forward in scale, with a larger ensemble and more ambitious production, yet retains their signature focus on nuanced, character-driven narratives.
A particularly noteworthy aspect of the project is its financing: the film was backed entirely by African sources, specifically Afreximbank’s Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme and Lagos-based MBO Capital. This marks a meaningful development in the industry, as continental investors increasingly support homegrown stories positioned for major global distribution, competing directly with traditional Western funding models. Production relied on local crews and locations throughout, underscoring the growing technical infrastructure within Nigeria’s film sector, capable of delivering international theatrical-quality work without overseas resources.
Neon will handle the U.S. theatrical release and represent the film for international sales. Whether the film gets a theatrical release at home or goes straight to streaming depends entirely on Neon’s final distribution strategy, leaving local exhibitors and audiences waiting to see if the internationally backed production will play in domestic cinemas.
In Summary
Clarissa stands out for its fully African-financed production, securing worldwide distribution through Neon, a rare achievement that highlights shifting dynamics in global film funding and distribution.
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