31st January, 2013
NEHRU ODEH
Nigerian female drummer, Araola Olumuyiwa, better known as Ara, is set to release a new movie titled Osunfunke. She made this disclosure in a chat with P.M.NEWS Entertainment Cafe on her birthday, which she celebrated recently.
The movie, which is being sponsored by the government of the State of Osun, tells the story of Osunfunke, a young, troubled female from the Arungba family in Osogbo who was supposed to be the Arungba for the year but could not because she was raped in her first year at the university. Her younger sister had to do that. After graduating from the university, the love for her culture took her to a place where she started working with a foreign boss. While in her new job, she met, Teju, a dashing young man who had come to watch the Osun Osogbo featival with his fiancee. When Teju realised that Osunfunke could sing and dance, he invited her to Lagos so that his producer/ friend, played by Deejay Tee, could produce her music. On getting to Lagos, the producer tried to make her become a modernised superstar but she insisted on maintaining her originality.
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Ara plays Osunfunke in the movie, while popular Yoruba actor, Saheed Balogun plays Teju. The movie, which will be set in Osogbo and Lagos, will be directed by Deejay Tee and co-directed by Kola Olaiya.
Asked what message she is trying to pass across in her movie, the Ondo-State born drummer said she is educating the youths, via the movie, about the virtues of virginity.
“I am just saying in essence that virginity is not a thing of the past. You could be a university undergraduate today and still maintain your virginity. In Osunfunke’s case, she maintained her virginity but it was taking from her. So I am just trying to talk about the importtance of being a decent young lady, of appreciating our culture and where our culture can take us,” she said.
Ara also said her fans should expect the movie very soon, as it will be premiered at the forthcoming Osun Osogbo festival.
“We are going to take the movie on tour of the United Kingdom. France and
the United States,” she enthused..
Ara, who released a music video last December, is also set to release two albums this year. One of tthe albums is gospel and will contain tracks such as E malo and Baba You Too Much. The Second album, titled The Sound Of The Enigma will conttain tracks such as arade, Orimi, You Are, Dumiminu Yeye and Kolongo.. Ma a gospel and a hip-hop two albums this year