“Blood Vessel”, a Netflix Original, premiered this week on Netflix. The Nollywood thriller was executive-produced by Charles Okpaleke from Play Network Studios and directed by Moses Inwang.
This Nigerian original film, a mystery and crime thriller, unfolds in the Niger Delta region. The plot revolves around six individuals brought together by chance, escaping a town devastated by oil pollution, who inadvertently become stowaways on a mysterious ship, unaware of the dangers that await. What was meant to be a shot at a better life becomes a fight for survival, testing friendship, betrayal, love, vulnerability, time, and chance.
“Blood Vessel” features an ensemble cast including Adaobi Dibor, David Ezekiel, Jidekene Achufusi, Sylvester Ekanem, Levi Chikere, Obinna Okenwa, Alex Cyr Budin, and René Mena. The film is set in Southern Nigeria, where characters Abbey, Boma, Degbe, Olotu, Tekena, and Oyinbraekemi desert their small island village in the Niger Delta region for different reasons. Tekena and Olotu sail to the Americas for a shot at a better life, Boma and Degbe escape the military after a protest gone wrong, and Abbey and Oyinbraekemi, ill-fated lovers, try to escape destiny. The film promises a gripping on-sea survival drama with numerous twists and turns.
Actor Adaobi Dibor spoke about being in the film. “Acting, to me, is the highest form of empathy. Taking on the entirety of Oyin’s pain, joy, sadness, and giving her a voice is one of the best experiences I have had. I’ll do it a thousand times over.’
“Blood Vessel” is the newest production from Play Network Studios, executive-produced by Charles Okpaleke and directed by Moses Inwang. Produced by Charles Okpaleke, Arafat Bello-Osagie, Roxanne Adekunle-Wright, and Agozie Ugwu, “Blood Vessel” delves into the immigration narrative from lower-income countries, exploring themes of love, friendship, loyalty, and brotherhood, while also exploring the depths of desperation and determination.
Producer and executive producer Charles Okpaleke spoke about the importance of telling stories accurately. “In developing countries like Nigeria, there’s immense potential across industries, and it’s crucial for Africans to authentically share our stories; raw, unfiltered, showcasing both successes and challenges. Our experiences are uniquely ours, and we must tell them with excellence, professionalism, honesty, and precision, as no one else can fully understand or convey them better than we can
With a runtime of 1 hour and 58 minutes, the film is presented in Ijaw and Pidgin English, with additional spoken languages including Russian and Igbo. Subtitles are also available.
