Production and directors note of the feature film, SLAVE WARRIOR, The Beginning by Oliver Mbamara

True Life Story (Chain and Chronology of history): The story of the "Slave Warrior" was inspired by a true life occurrence in the 18th Century told to my father, Sir Lazarus Mbamara Agonmuo Ekejiuba by his late father (my grand-father), Mbamara Durueshika Ojinkeyaeme Ekejiuba several score years ago in the early 20th century. Sir Lazarus Mbamara Ekejiuba told this same story to me, his son Oliver Oscar Obioma Mbamara Ekejiuba not too long ago in this 21st Century.

According to "Sir Laz" as he is popularly called, "in the days of our fore-fathers, before the coming of the "white man" into the main lands of Africa, it was an offence to kidnap another human being. Thus it was that slavery by kidnapping was also a very serious offence. One day..." Well,...sorry, we do not want to spthe story for you...enjoy the movie."

Cast And Crew: The cast and crew consist of a number of African and American artists. More On Cast And Crew

Location: The film was basically shot in a couple of communities in Imo State Nigeria, West Africa. There were a couple of scenes shot in the United States in line with the American connection to the storyline.

We welcome support and collaborations towards telling the next phase of the story. Contact us or call 718 617 6077

Production Notes, Director's Journal, Auditions, Casting, Making And Behind The Scenes:

Synopsis/Logline: A journey back in time as an African warrior becomes a slave to save his captors clan from the invasion of some ruthless slave- traders in 18th century Africa.

Time Frame: True Life Story and 18th/19th Century:
"When it is said that this film was inspired and/or based on true life events that occurred (in the 18th/19th century) in an African village in what is now known as Southeastern Nigeria, it is easy for some people to think it is such a long time ago removed from present day reality. However, it is important to note that my Grandfather whose character was one of those portrayed in the film, only died in 1972. He lived to be 124 years old. Meaning that the characters dramatized in this film SLAVE WARRIOR were in many cases only about two generations removed from the present or us. Hence, the story was only passed down two generations down from the original characters – to my father and then to my humble self." - Oliver Mbamara (who then wrote it as a story and directed it).

Motivation: After coming across the comments of Debbie Allen (Producer, Amistad) about the non-availability of essential courses about Africa and African ancestral/cultural history to African Americans in the American educational curriculum, Oliver was convinced to share with the larger public, his understanding of African ancestral history including slavery. To him it was a pleasure to do the same through the medium of a feature film like "Slave Warrior."

The Challenge: There were challenges with time, finance, and the high number of cast and crew members required to pull off the project especially with the location set in the remote areas of a community in Nigeria, West Africa and partly in New York City. Nevertheless, the determination to see the movie through remained undaunted.

The Team: Though Oliver Oscar Mbamara produced and directed this film, the production benefited from the experience and support of several others such as Sanctus Okereke, an experienced director in his own right; revered actors like Nze Fabian Adibe, David Ihese, Don Nkoloagu, Patrick Njoku, and Charles Mbamara, a Certified Public Accountant plus many others too numerous to mention. All these people were glad to be part of this bold experiment. It is quietly believed that the making of this film brought with it yet another dynamic to the field of African independent film making. It is also an African Events Production.

Script, Language, and Historical Impact: The script was written by Oliver Oscar Mbamara inspired by a true life story told him by his father Sir, Lazarus Mbamara Ekejiuba, who serves as the historical adviser to the film and its production crew. The script is a standard script written in English but the translation of it to Igbo language was an opportunity to uplift the Igbo language which is the true language of the Ibo tribe in which the true story events occurred. So, during pre-production, the script was translated to Igbo, the language of the Ibos of southeastern Nigeria, the true society where the inspiring story actually took place.

Using Igbo language presents the story behind the film in the closest manner possible to the true circumstances, especially since during the coming of western slavery (trans-Atlantic), many Africans spoke their traditional language and only managed to communicate with the foreigners through interpreters or by use of qualified language like broken-English, or such foreign other applicable language involved (whether English, French, or Portuguese, etc., for example). Most 16th -18th century Africans hardly spoke any of these foreign languages. There is the view that an African story should be told the African way (as much as possible). especially when they carry a historic message or appeal as does this movie - SLAVE WARRIOR.