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By Seyi Babalola
Actress and filmmaker Grace Adebayo Arinze has opened up about the inspiration behind the movie OYIZA, revealing that the project was created to shed light on the growing issue of domestic violence in society.
Speaking during the private screening of the film, Grace, who stars in the movie and also serves as its executive producer, explained that OYIZA is derived from an Ebira word that means gift, goodness, and everything nice.
According to her, the title reflects the symbolic role of women in relationships and families.
“OYIZA is an Ebira word that means goodness, gift and everything nice. The Bible says he that finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favour from the Lord. That is what a woman is supposed to represent,” she said.
She noted, however, that the film intentionally contrasts the meaning of the name with the character’s experience in the story.
Arinze explained that the female lead in the movie is named Oyiza, a woman who endures domestic abuse, creating a powerful contradiction between her name, which symbolises a gift, and the way she is treated.
The actress said the film aims to raise awareness about domestic violence and encourage victims to speak up or walk away before situations escalate.
“Domestic violence is a menace that has eaten deep into our society. It is a no-no. It can happen both ways—a man can face it and a woman can face it. But when it starts, it is better to walk away because it is better to be alive to tell the story,” she added.
Arinze also revealed that producing the movie came with several challenges, particularly financial constraints and casting difficulties.
According to her, the production budget was demanding because the project was designed to meet cinema and international streaming standards.
She disclosed that some actors initially turned down roles in the film because she was a first-time executive producer.
“Some actors rejected the job because they didn’t know my name as a producer. Many want to work only with established producers, but new producers also deserve opportunities,” she said.
Despite the hurdles, Arinze expressed satisfaction that the team was able to complete the project successfully, describing the film as a meaningful story aimed at sparking conversations about domestic violence.
Also speaking at the screening, actor and singer Nonzo Bassey shared his excitement about being part of the project, describing OYIZA as a short film with a powerful script and a socially relevant message.
Bassey said the role challenged him as it required him to portray a villain, a character he used to highlight the dangers and consequences of domestic violence.
He noted that the intention was not only to tell a story but also to provoke conversations about abuse and how society responds to it.
The actor further stressed the importance of giving more visibility to short films and documentaries in Nigeria, noting that greater accessibility would help promote the art form.
According to him, creating a central platform where audiences can easily watch such productions would help deepen cultural understanding and raise awareness about critical social issues.
Bassey added that the arts remain a powerful tool for shaping societal values and influencing how people think about important matters affecting their communities.
Meanwhile, the director of the film, Yemi Morafa aka Filmboy, said the project had been in development for several years before it eventually made it to the screen.
Morafa explained that the idea for the film began about five to six years ago when the executive producer approached him with a script proposal.
According to him, the screenplay was written by a young and emerging writer and focuses on the often overlooked dimensions of domestic violence.
He described the production as a collaborative effort among the cast and crew, noting that extensive pre-production planning helped make the filming process smooth.
“We had a very strong pre-production process, which helped us complete the filming in less than three days without major challenges,” he said.
The director acknowledged that Nigeria’s film industry often faces structural and logistical difficulties but noted that proper planning helped the team avoid many of those obstacles.
Morafa also praised the lead female actress for her dedication to the project, stating that she was particularly enthusiastic about taking part in a film that allowed her to fully showcase her acting abilities.
The short film OYIZA is expected to spark conversations about domestic violence while highlighting the role of storytelling and the arts in addressing pressing social issues.
