At the start of 2023 Dries flew to Lagos, Nigeria to create a work exploring a potential future African exodus. However, the performers of Kininso Koncepts were hesitant to portray themselves as possible migrants. They preferred to turn the lengthy history of stereotyping on its head, and to direct their gaze at us, Europeans. A camera crew from Nollywood, the heart of the African film industry, leapt on board. Armed with cameras, film lighting, and a high-speed internet connection, they created a piece centred around our European self-image now that our expectations of the future here begin to falter. How deep-rooted are the images of ourselves and the other? How long can we hold onto our comfortable position of power?
Dear beloved friend, is a live film performance. The work was performed at the Seaside Cottage Theatre in Lagos and screened live in theaters and at festivals in the Netherlands.
concept and direction: Dries Verhoeven
creative producer: Joshua Alabi
performance: Ayoola Odubona, Israel Efosa Okpoko, Olorunniyi Zion Praise,
Uche Enechukwu, Uche Kingsley Mborogwu, John Zeblon
dramaturgy: Miguel Melgares
directorial assistance: Casper Wortmann, Naomi Steijger
technical staff: Roel Evenhuis, Jeremiah Anthony Irabor, Titus Duitshof, Bolaji Afolabi Rilwan
sound design: Peer Thielen
sound: Adebayo Habib Olaore
light: Biokorogha Tumbra, Anthony Monday
voice over artist: Moshood Fattah
internet technician: Bart van de Woestijne
internet Nigeria: Omotayo Charles Ogunfeibo
video: Adedire Badejo, Blessing Olalekan Okunola, Abiola Semiu Peter, Samuel Abaji
set: Athanasius Akojuru
media runner: Ebenezer Obiji
welfare: Olubanke Oyeniyi
drivers: Dare Oshoniyi, Adekunle Adesanya
executive production: ‘n More – Lise van den Hout & Ellen van Bunnik & Kininso Koncepts – Angela Peters & Emmanuel Anya
production: Studio Dries Verhoeven & Kininso Koncepts
office Kininso Koncepts: admin manager Chinenye Chukwudi, assistant admin manager Oloyede Aribilola, communications Aniefiok Inyang, legal representative: Praise Alabi
trailer: Thorsten Alofs
Dear beloved friend, is made possible by the Performing Arts Fund NL, Gemeente Utrecht, Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds, Dioraphte, Creative Industries Fund NL, Fonds 21 and the Dutch embassy in Nigeria.