Nigerian filmmakers Arie Esiri and Chuko Esiri are reimagining Virginia Woolf’s 1925 classic Mrs Dalloway with their upcoming feature Clarissa, set in contemporary Lagos and Delta State. Shot on 35 mm film between November and December 2025, the adaptation transports Woolf’s introspective story of memory, identity, and social connection into a modern Nigerian context, as reported by Afrocritik.
Clarissa follows a Lagos socialite preparing for a party that reunites old friends, prompting reflections on past relationships, unfulfilled ambitions, and the passage of time. While maintaining the novel’s single-day narrative structure, the film explores uniquely Nigerian social and cultural dynamics, blending local settings and themes with universal emotional depth, according to Pulse Nigeria.
The film features an ensemble cast, including Sophie Okonedo in the title role, alongside David Oyelowo, Ayo Edebiri, India Amarteifio, and Toheeb Jimoh. Production financing came from African investors such as Afreximbank’s Creative Africa Nexus and MBO Capital, reflecting the growing support for African cinema with international reach.
International distribution has been secured by acclaimed U.S. indie studio Neon, which will manage the film’s theatrical release in the United States and coordinate foreign sales. Screen Daily noted that the deal positions Clarissa as one of the most anticipated African films of the year, following the Esiri brothers’ award-winning debut Eyimofe (This Is My Desire), which premiered at major festivals worldwide.
