Actress Joke Silva is among Nigerian actors confirmed for roles in Clarissa, an upcoming American drama film directed and produced by Arie Esiri and Chuko Esiri.
The film, a modern reimagining of Virginia Woolf’s 1925 novel Mrs Dalloway, follows the story of a society hostess preparing for a gathering while confronting memories and past relationships. The production was shot in Lagos and Delta State and features a mix of international and Nigerian actors.
Joke Silva joins a Nigerian cast that includes Chioma Omeruah, popularly known as Chigul, Chuks Joseph, Ego Boyo, Norbert Young, Timi OJ, Kehinde Cardoso, Ovunda Ihunwo and Eric Emeka. They appear alongside international actors such as Sophie Okonedo, David Oyelowo, Nikki Amuka, Danny Safani, Fortune Nwafor, Joy Sunday, Ayo Edebiri, India Amarteifio and Toheeb Jimoh.
According to the filmmakers, the project retains the novel’s focus on memory, societal expectations and communication while placing the story within a contemporary setting. The film is described as a character driven drama that maintains the single day structure of the original work.
Clarissa marks the second feature from the Esiri brothers, who gained international attention with their debut film Eyimofe (This Is My Desire), which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in 2020.
The film is backed by African financing through Afreximbank’s Creative Africa Nexus programme and Lagos based MBO Capital, with Neon handling United States theatrical distribution and international sales.
