Actress Omotola Jalade‑Ekeinde has given a detailed account of why she produced and directed her new movie, Mother’s Love.
The film is her first as a director and is due in cinemas on March 6.
Omotola, in an interview said she was inspired by her own life as a mother and as a daughter, especially her relationship with her own mother. She said the project grew from her desire to tell grounded emotional stories about women’s strength and resilience.
“So the inspiration for the movie Mother’s Love came from my own experience. Actually, being a mother and also a daughter. And a first daughter at that,” she said.
She described how her childhood relationship with her mother shaped the story:
“My mom, as a first‑time mother, felt she needed to train me, and she never had any time for me. So the only times we ever had together were during the weekends. Actually, it’s precisely Sunday… And I didn’t understand it, I didn’t understand her. First, I didn’t think I felt motherly love…
“But I didn’t know that it was tough love, cause my dad was charming to me. You see, he was always with me. So my mother felt like she had to be the one to bring the discipline. And I always questioned why she never understood me.
“In fact, I claimed other people as my mom, you know, against my own mom. And so I actually started getting close to my mom after I got married. And that was when I began to understand her and vice versa. So my husband coming into the picture and the two of them having a perfect relationship helped my relationship with her.”
Omotola plays the character Labake Rhodes in the film and said some moments in the story reflected her real reactions. She explained that while she helped write the script and was deeply involved in editing, watching the story come to life revealed similarities between her and her character.
Speaking on her directing and acting, she said “So doubling up as a director and actor in Mother’s Love was tough. It was tough.”
She also added that she found directing brought a fresh challenge. “Interestingly, I enjoyed being a director more than an actor… I totally enjoyed using my brain alone, not my looks, and not having to act or come in front of the camera.”
Omotola also addressed her time away from screens. She told fans she hoped the film would remind audiences of classic Nollywood acting and craft. “I expect people to see finesse. I expect them to know that many people say they miss old Nollywood… the audience will take home a lot from this movie.”
She closed with a message for aspiring filmmakers and the public: “So, this is my movie, Mother’s Love. Please watch it. Bring your kids. Bring your family. Tell everybody to tell everybody… It’s a gift to families. It’s a gift for mothers. It’s a gift for first daughters. And this will not be the last. We’re going to do another part two.”
The film has also featured internationally. It screened at the 34th Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles as part of its rollout ahead of the Nigerian release. The screening followed showings at festivals such as the Toronto International Film Festival and the Silicon Valley African Film Festival.
Mother’s Love stars Olumide Oworu, Noray Nehita, Ifeanyi Kalu, Lilian Afegbai and Nosa Rex alongside Omotola, and explores themes of family, identity and resilience.
