A sumptuous re-working of Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway moves the setting from 1920s London to contemporary Lagos during one lush summer’s day. Clarissa has planned a lavish party in the grounds of her home. While she waits for her guests to arrive, time slips from the present to the past as she reconsiders the events of a previous summer.  

The stellar cast features an enthralling Sophie Okonedo (who also stars in this year’s Mouse) alongside David Oyelowo (Selma, A United Kingdom) and Ayo Edebiri (The Bear). This is the second feature directed by twin brothers Arie and Chuko Erisi following their acclaimed debut Eyimofe (This Is My Desire).  

This dreamy evocation of modern Nigeria is also a telling exploration of society’s restrictions and the price to be paid for following the rules instead of your desires. 

‘Virginia Woolf’s interior epic “Mrs Dalloway” survives — and thrives — following a surprisingly successful transplantation from London to Lagos in brothers Arie and Chuko Esiri‘s vivid and velvety “Clarissa,” which places a superb Sophie Okonedo, radiant with melancholy, at the heart of its remarkably well-cast ensemble.’ – Jessica Kiang, Variety