ODILE

“This script is heart-breaking … We can only commend the writer for creating an emotionally engaging piece of work.” – Amy Lotherington, Original Film, Sky Cinema

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Inspired by true events, ODILE is a powerful socially relevant family drama, focusing on one mother's all-or-nothing drive to succeed in the betterment of her family's future. 

The story is about a Black French immigrant mother whose ultimate quest to make a better life for her mixed-race son in London, turns into her ultimate grief. Her estranged alcoholic husband is found dead in a homeless shed and then her son is viciously attacked by a notorious gang in the social housing flat they recently moved into. 

ODILE intertwines social issues such as the housing crisis (currently affecting an estimated 8.4 million people in England), domestic violence, racism, and youth gang culture in London. With planned bi-lingual English and French English subtitles, the story brings together a mixed international cast to London to help tell this tragically relevant tale, including the following celebrities who've agreed to play in the film: Nollywood royalty, actress Shaffy Bello, stunning Ivorian actress and daytime TV queen Kadhy Touré, South African actor and TV Presenter Hlomla Dandala, and, from here in the UK, Mica Paris MBE and David Harewood OBE.  

Story & Screenplay | Director: Elsie Nemlin

Executive Producers: Mica Paris MBE, Shaffy Bello & Kadhy Touré

From a six-part series plan to a feature-length film plan, ODILE has been a long time coming project. On many occasions, I felt like abandoning it all together, but then, something kept reminding me of the importance of telling it. 

The story of ODILE was triggered by an event I was requested to provide support for, over fifteen years ago, when I was the CEO of Stand Up For Africa, a charity in Battersea (South London) that used to work with young people here in the UK and in Africa. With poverty, social housing crisis, domestic violence and gang-related crime reaching an all-time high, I am truly hoping ODILE becomes a voice for families caught in the middle of these occurrences and helps bring more attention to these tragic issues. 

We just can't wait to complete the production soon! 

Thank you!

Elsie Nemlin