.png)
In a world where the pursuit of success often leads to a life of quiet desperation, a new film project is set to expose the harsh realities of urban alienation and gentrification in Lagos, Nigeria. "I Live in V.I." is a gripping social class satire that delves into the lives of young people trying to make a name for themselves in the city, only to find themselves lost in the process. Director Ugochukwu Azuya's latest project is a powerful commentary on the Nigerian dream, and it's a must-watch for anyone interested in the complexities of urban living.
Background & Context
The project, which was showcased at the 2026 edition of the Locarno Film Festival's Open Doors platform, is a collaboration between director Ugochukwu Azuya and producer Olubunmi Ogunsola of Nigeria's Ensemble. The team behind the project won the Tabakalera-San Sebastian Film Festival Residency Award, a testament to the innovative storytelling and filmmaking skills that have gone into bringing this project to life.
Lagos, Africa's most populous city, is a complex and fascinating metropolis that is home to some of the continent's most vibrant and dynamic communities. But beneath its gleaming skyscrapers and bustling streets, Lagos is also a city of contradictions – a place where exorbitant displays of wealth exist alongside failing infrastructure and displaced people. It's this complex and often brutal landscape that "I Live in V.I." seeks to explore, using the story of a young woman named Florence as a lens through which to examine the challenges of urban living in Lagos.
Key Details
Florence, the protagonist of "I Live in V.I.", is a 23-year-old woman who leaves her small town in Akwa Ibom for the big city of Lagos to start a new job in the hospitality industry. But despite her best efforts, Florence finds herself struggling to cope with the demands of her job, the poor living conditions of her apartment, and the strenuous commute to Victoria Island (V.I.), a neighborhood strictly for the wealthy. In an attempt to sustain the illusion of "living the good life" in Lagos, Florence decides to squat in an abandoned construction site of a government building project from the 80s, much closer to her workplace.
As Florence navigates the challenges of her new life in Lagos, she begins to unravel, struggling to come to terms with the loss of her father and the disillusionment of her dreams. Her decision to live in V.I. is a desperate attempt to keep up appearances, but it also becomes a symbol of the disconnection between the wealthy elite and the struggling masses in Lagos. With its möbius-strip-esque structure, "I Live in V.I." is a surreal and thought-provoking commentary on the state of urban living in Lagos, and it's a must-watch for anyone interested in the complexities of social class and gentrification.
What Experts Say
According to director Ugochukwu Azuya, "I Live in V.I." is a film about the lost hope of the Nigerian dream. "We are all just a city," he says, "and Florence is a surrogate for myself and countless young people trying to make the most of their situations while dealing with survival in Lagos, Africa's most populous city." The film's use of satire and absurdity is a deliberate choice, designed to highlight the absurdity and cruelty of a system that seems designed to keep people in their place.
By exploring the complexities of urban alienation and gentrification in Lagos, "I Live in V.I." offers a powerful commentary on the state of urban living in Africa's most populous city. It's a film that will leave audiences thinking long after the credits roll, and it's a must-watch for anyone interested in the complexities of social class and gentrification.
Key Takeaways
- The film "I Live in V.I." is a powerful commentary on the state of urban living in Lagos, Nigeria.
- The project is a collaboration between director Ugochukwu Azuya and producer Olubunmi Ogunsola of Nigeria's Ensemble.
- The film explores the complexities of urban alienation and gentrification in Lagos, using satire and absurdity to highlight the absurdity and cruelty of a system that seems designed to keep people in their place.
- "I Live in V.I." is a must-watch for anyone interested in the complexities of social class and gentrification, and it's a powerful commentary on the state of urban living in Africa's most populous city."
What This Means For You
For everyday readers, "I Live in V.I." is a powerful reminder of the challenges faced by young people trying to make a name for themselves in the city. It's a film that will leave audiences thinking long after the credits roll, and it's a must-watch for anyone interested in the complexities of social class and gentrification. By exploring the complexities of urban alienation and gentrification in Lagos, "I Live in V.I." offers a powerful commentary on the state of urban living in Africa's most populous city, and it's a film that will leave a lasting impact on anyone who watches it.
As we watch the world around us change at an unprecedented rate, it's more important than ever to pay attention to the stories that are being told about the city. "I Live in V.I." is a film that will leave you thinking long after the credits roll, and it's a must-watch for anyone interested in the complexities of social class and gentrification. So why not take the time to watch it, and see for yourself what it has to say about the state of urban living in Lagos, Nigeria?
English (US) ·