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Nollywood filmmaker Kunle Afolayan has addressed the mixed reactions to his latest series, Anikulapo: The Ghoul Awakens, emphasizing that his films are designed for audiences who appreciate layered, thought-provoking storytelling rather than mass-market entertainment.
The five-part series, which premiered on Netflix on January 30, serves as the threequel to his 2022 award-winning film Anikulapo. Some viewers have expressed confusion over the plot, prompting Afolayan to explain his creative vision in a video posted on Instagram on Tuesday evening.
“Something that is very peculiar to the kind of films that we make is that we make films for the intellectual. We make films for people who can think,” he said. “I don’t expect that everybody would like the film or understand the film. But I expect that the people I am trying to appeal to would get it.”
Afolayan referenced earlier works like Irapada and The Figurine, noting that these projects also faced initial skepticism before earning international acclaim and critical recognition.
He urged critics and viewers to withhold judgment until the full series is released, likening the experience to global series such as Game of Thrones, where audiences must follow each episode to grasp the complete narrative.
“I have read feedback from scholars, professors, and deep thinkers, and I appreciate them. To those who don’t fully get it, let me put it in simple terms: the series has multiple episodes, and what you have seen so far is only a portion,” Afolayan explained. “How can you conclude that the story is disjointed when you haven’t even seen the full series?”
He added, “When you watch series like Game of Thrones, you wait for new episodes each week. You don’t see the whole story at once, yet you don’t dismiss it. We’ve created new plots here. Those who understand literature and storytelling already get it. For those who don’t, it’s okay to ask someone who does. Our films are for those who engage with the story critically and thoughtfully.”
Afolayan’s comments highlight his commitment to crafting complex, multi-layered narratives that challenge conventional expectations and reward attentive viewing, rather than catering to broad commercial tastes.
With Anikulapo: The Ghoul Awakens, the director continues to push the boundaries of Nollywood storytelling, offering a series that combines rich visuals, cultural depth, and intricate plotlines, aimed at audiences willing to engage with cinema on a deeper level.
Watch him speak below…
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