Actress battles inner demons in horror film

AFRICAN storytelling meets horror in new movie.

London-based Nigerian actress Peace Oseyenum recently opened up about the challenges of starring in a horror movie as a Christian woman.

Peace (32) stars in A Song From The Dark, a film that blends horror with African storytelling.

She plays Anioji, an evil spirit, but was determined not to engage in any "hocus pocus" due to her Christian beliefs.

Speaking to Daily Sun, Peace shared her experience working in the film, which features Nigerian actors Vanessa Vanderpuye, Wale Ojo, and Nse Ikpe-Etim.

"Anioji is the protagonist and can be seen as the villain. But as you watch, you'll see she's more than meets the eye.

"Before filming, I asked the director many questions. I wanted to know if I was playing a real deity or not. As a Christian, I definitely will not be doing any hocus pocus for this character," she said.

Peace also reflected on her acting journey.

"I hadn't started any professional training at that time, so my choices were based on instinct and being present in the scenes. Now that I'm classically trained, I try to hold on to that raw instinct as it is void of overthinking and self-judgement," she said.

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The actress expressed her pride in showcasing the Igbo people and their culture.

"The African element was essential to the film, particularly the Ukwuani culture. From the characters to the design, and of course the language and music, this British-Nigerian film stays true to its roots," she said.

Anioji, her character, is always dressed in a long dress and covered in blood, appearing only when a specific song is sung.

"I loved seeing myself in costume, especially the blood, but I wasn't afraid on set. However, the first time I saw the trailer and the part at the end of me screaming, I did genuinely give myself a jump scare," Peace said.

Despite the eerie nature of the film, Peace enjoyed the experience.

"I didn't feel any hocus pocus, but the vibes and energy of the cast were joyous and fun. I sometimes think about how much fun we had styling at the big house. The energy was 10/10," she said.