By Jonathan Ugbal
Global streaming giant, Netflix will tomorrow, Saturday, July 31, 2021 commence streaming ‘The Lost Cafe’, a film produced by a Cross Riverian, Regina Idu Udalor.
The Lost Cafe’ tells a story of migration, love and discovery where the dreams of an immigrant face a complex reality.
Directed by Kenneth Gyang, known for his Confusion Na Wa, the film stars Tunde Aladese, Belinda Effah, Ann Njemanze, Tedgje Bruun Lien, Jenny Bonden, Anita Dan, Anders Lidin Hansen and Omatta Udalor.
Reacting to the decision of Netflix to stream the film, Regina, a native of Yache, Yala Local Government Area of northern Cross River State, said it was a dream come true.
“We have always wanted to have this movie viewed by Nigerians but it was difficult to get it into the cinema. But now we feel over the moon that such an opportunity as Netflix is now providing us a platform to reach even into the homes of Nigerians both home and abroad,” Regina told CrossRiverWatch.
She took to social media and shared never before seen behind-the-scenes pictures from the set.
It's been a while I made a facebook post… This had to be the proudest moment forme and at the same time humbling, I…
Posted by Regina Idu Udalor on Thursday, July 22, 2021
The film was shot in Nigeria’s southern port city of Calabar and Drammen, Norway.
The film has bagged at least five awards, seven nominations and was official selection in four different film festivals.
When published for streaming, Regina would have become the first Cross Riverian filmmaker to have her intellectual work streamed by Netflix which is a new trend in the Nigerian creative industry.
She joins filmmakers like Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade among others as the few who have had their movies streamed.
Watch the trailer below:
