Join The Billion Insights Podcast as we welcome Onuora Abuah, a Nigerian-British actor, director, producer, and writer with a passion for sharing powerful stories from African culture and history. Onuora takes us on his incredible journey, from a childhood spent across continents to finding his voice in filmmaking. Discover how he navigates the challenges of portraying African narratives authentically in a global media landscape and the importance of reclaiming African stories. Get insights into his award-winning films like "Woolwich Boys" and "Mona," his thought-provoking documentaries on ancient Egypt and the Dahomey Kingdom, and his upcoming projects that delve into political intrigue and social issues. Tune in for a captivating conversation on the power of storytelling, the future of African cinema, and the importance of representation. ONUORA ABUAH: Website: https://www.aeafilms.com YT: https://www.youtube.com/@aeafilmsukIMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3355616 Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction of Onuora Abuah 0:56 - Onuora's childhood: Growing up across continents as the son of a diplomat. 2:31 - Returning to Roots: Why Onuora is moving back to Nigeria after 20 years in the UK. 3:57 - The Journey into Filmmaking: From school plays to documenting African history and culture. 6:28 - "Woolwich Boys": Onuora's first feature film 8:01 - The Central Film School Experience: Why Onuora pursued a Master's degree after a decade in film. 10:37 - The Portrayal of Africans in Hollywood: Analysing authenticity, biases, and the need for African voices.14:47 - The US Government & Hollywood: Propaganda, the "Hero Complex," and the need to decolonize cinema. 18:10 - "Blood Diamond": The impact of Hollywood films on raising awareness and the responsibility of Africans. 22:35 - The Untold Story of the Rwandan Genocide: From colonial roots to the power of storytelling. 28:37 - AEA Films: Onuora's Production Company and the story behind the name and its significance. 33:04 - "Mona": Unveiling the history of Portuguese colonialism in Africa through a powerful narrative. 35:52 - "KMT:: A Journey Through the Black Land": A groundbreaking documentary series on ancient Egypt. 38:48 - Why Egyptians See the Pyramids as "Just Sand": The impact of cultural shifts and historical amnesia. 44:44 - Onuora's Dream Projects: Documenting the Niger River and bringing "Ku-Dita" to the screen. 47:18 - The Rise of "Popcorn Movies": The challenges of finding funding for meaningful stories. 51:54 - Christopher Nolan's Balancing commercial appeal 57:58 - Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers 1:00:17 - Balancing Storytelling with Sensitive Social Issues 1:06:01 - The Research Behind Authentic Filmmaking: Finding inspiration in history and personal experiences. 1:07:23 - "Instant Insights": Rapid-fire questions reveal Onuora's personality and perspectives. 1:19:11 - The Most Challenging Part of Filmmaking 1:22:13 - The Most Rewarding of Filmmaking 1:23:21 - Underrated Films to Watch: Onuora's recommendations for thought-provoking cinema from around the world. 1:27:59 - Onuora's Favorite Projects 1:29:38 - The Biggest Misconception About Filmmaking 1:35:08 - The Best Advice 1:35:30 - End of the podcast and closing remarks. 🎧 Listen To #TheBillionInsights On Spotify and Apple Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1JlSmPAMrdoFHEJfIKfY4q https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-billion-insights/id1755082121 ✅Subscribe to "The Billion Insights" for more intriguing episodes. https://www.youtube.com/@TheBillionInsights?sub_confirmation=1 Don't forget to like, share, and leave your comments below. Let's embark on a journey of discovery together! 🌍✨