Òlòtūré is an intense film that shows the best of what Nigerian filmmaking has to offer.

Story

Òlòtūré tells the story of a young and naive reporter that goes undercover as a prostitute to undercover the brutal world of human trafficking in Nigeria.

The movie tackles a tense topic through the lens of a social taboo. Prostitution and sex work is something that is completely condemned with no regard to the people involved and how they get there. A lot of people forget (or conveniently ignore) that sex workers are people and this movie shows you that they are people with feelings, emotions, dreams and aspirations. It shows how a search for a better life can lead to exploitation and intimidation. It’s a harrowing story that is tense and sometimes uncomfortable while also being insightful.

In a movie like this, there needs to be a main character you can anchor onto and Òlòturé is that character. Sharoon Ooja’s performance is the emotional core of the film. You follow her throughout the turmoil. Òlòturé’s goes from naive and almost excited to be undercover, which then switches to jaded and then fearful. You also see her resolve and drive as well as the outright terror at the things she experiences. Sharon delivers a powerhouse performance, especially in the last 45 minutes of the film. Her pain makes everything more harrowing.