Burna Boy Backs Revenge Thriller ‘3 Cold Dishes’

Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy is making a significant foray into the world of cinema, taking on an executive producer role for the high-stakes revenge thriller, ‘3 Cold Dishes’. This ambitious film is poised to elevate Pan-African cinema, aiming to transcend national borders and establish a unified African genre on the global stage.

The Narrative and Vision of ‘3 Cold Dishes’

‘3 Cold Dishes’ unfolds as a gripping tale of three African women—Esosa, Fatouma, and Giselle—who were trafficked as teenagers into the sex trade. Thirteen years later, they reunite across West Africa, driven by a shared trauma and an unyielding desire to exact revenge on the men who exploited them. The film is set across Nigeria, Benin, and Côte d’Ivoire, showcasing a diverse cultural and linguistic landscape.

Nigerian filmmaker Asurf Oluseyi, who honed his craft watching YouTube and has directed several music videos for Burna Boy, helms ‘3 Cold Dishes’. Oluseyi’s vision extends beyond creating a compelling thriller; he aspires for “African cinema” to become a globally recognized genre, much like Afrobeats. He believes in the power of shared African stories and realities to create a cinematic identity that is not confined to individual countries but represents the continent as a whole.

Burna Boy’s Global Impact on Film Promotion

Burna Boy’s involvement as an executive producer through Spaceship Films, a company he co-founded with Bose Ogulu, significantly amplifies the film’s reach and Pan-African ambition. His global influence, akin to his impact on the music industry, is strategically leveraged to promote ‘3 Cold Dishes’. The artist also contributes two tracks to the film’s soundtrack.

The film’s strategic rollout underscores its Pan-African aspirations. ‘3 Cold Dishes’ premiered in London on October 3 ahead of its November 7 nationwide U.K. release. This choice was deliberate; according to Oluseyi, starting the premiere in London, a hub for Burna Boy and a large Nigerian diaspora, helped position the film as Pan-African rather than solely Nigerian. The film is also slated to open the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in Lagos, Nigeria, on November 2, followed by a theatrical release across approximately 26 African countries. International theatrical outings are planned for France, the U.S., and Canada, with premieres in cities like L.A., Atlanta, and Houston coinciding with Burna Boy’s U.S. tour, and a Canadian release confirmed for December 16 during his Canadian tour. A trailer for the film was even showcased to an audience of 80,000 people at Burna Boy’s concert at Paris’ Stade de France.

Crafting a Transcontinental Cinematic Experience

‘3 Cold Dishes’ distinguishes itself through its multilingual approach, featuring dialogue in English and French, with an alternate full French dub version—a rare undertaking for an African film. This linguistic diversity, alongside its CinemaScope photography, contributes to its broad appeal.

Narratively, the film also offers a crucial perspective on sex trafficking. Unlike many films that depict trafficking from Africa to Europe, ‘3 Cold Dishes’ focuses on the stark reality of intra-African trafficking, where 90% of victims are trafficked from one African country to another. This focus on an often-overlooked aspect of the issue adds depth and authenticity to the story. The production was shot across Nigeria, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, and Mauritania, featuring a diverse African cast.

Paving the Way for Mainstream African Films

A key objective for ‘3 Cold Dishes’ is to be a mainstream, commercially viable movie, a departure from many African films that primarily target Western art house audiences. With a budget of approximately $1 million, considered substantial for an African production, the filmmakers intend for the movie to be accessible, engaging, and profitable. This focus on commercial success aims to establish a sustainable model for African filmmaking, allowing for reinvestment and further development of the industry.

Conclusion

Burna Boy’s executive producer role in ‘3 Cold Dishes’ represents a strategic and impactful move to propel Pan-African cinema onto the global stage. By leveraging his immense popularity, supporting a compelling and relevant narrative, and employing a sophisticated distribution strategy, the film aims to not only entertain but also to redefine perceptions of African storytelling. ‘3 Cold Dishes’ stands as a testament to the ambition of creating a distinct, unified “African cinema” genre, mirroring the global triumph of Afrobeats, and fostering a new era of cinematic reach and recognition for the continent.