A Nigerian filmmaker, Busola Komolafe, has called for a shift toward ethical, psychology-driven storytelling, prioritising responsible representation and emotional depth over sensationalism, particularly in documentaries and African brand storytelling. 

Ms Komolafe made the call in an interview on Sunday in Lagos. She noted that filmmakers wield enormous power to shape public perception.

According to Ms Komolafe, founder of Jyraes Motion Pictures, storytelling goes beyond entertainment but is also a tool that can influence how society understands trauma, behaviour and truth.

Reflecting on the responsibility of creatives in shaping narratives, Komolafe said filmmaking felt like a call to action to tell more stories. She further noted that many stories, especially those about women, often dwelt on visible experiences while ignoring deeper psychological struggles that shape behaviour and identity.

Recalling one of her works, she recounted a short film about a kidnapped woman whose trauma was overlooked after her release.

Ms Komolafe emphasised that such gaps reflected a broader societal failure to engage with mental health, particularly among women who, she said, silently carry multiple burdens.

Beyond extreme cases of trauma, she pointed to everyday psychological pressures shaped by cultural expectations, relationships and lived experiences.

Ms Komolafe further emphasised that filmmakers had a duty to explore these backstories, rather than reinforce shallow judgments.

The filmmaker, who has worked both as a TV executive and on production sets, described filmmakers as gatekeepers who decide which stories are told and how they are framed.

Speaking on the ethical responsibility that comes with narrative control, she illustrated the persuasive power of storytelling with an example of a crime documentary that altered her perception of guilt.

She also challenged assumptions about the marketability of women-centred stories, noting that they resonate strongly with audiences.

Ms Komolafe further drew attention to the economic and social realities faced by women, especially those in the informal sector who shoulder family responsibilities with little recognition.

She added that many women quietly bear financial responsibilities to conform to societal expectations of male dominance.

For Ms Komolafe, these untold stories, from psychological struggles to economic resilience, offer rich material for more authentic filmmaking.

She explained that her approach to storytelling is rooted in psychology, aiming to spark recognition and shared experiences among audiences.

(NAN)