Unveiling '3 Cold Dishes': A Gripping Tale of Survival, Revenge, and Justice

 

BY- EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN 

Human trafficking has been a significant issue affecting millions worldwide, causing long term physical and emotional harm to victims. In this interview, Nigerian award-winning filmmaker Asurf Oluseyi Samson reveals how he started as a filmmaker and unveils what prompted him to shed light on the harrowing reality of human trafficking through the movie "3 Cold Dishes," which explores themes of trauma, revenge, and survival, showcasing women's strength and resilience in the face of human trafficking.

Asurf Oluseyi, founder of Asurf Films Ltd., directed the movie "A Day with Death," which received 10 international nominations and won Best Short Film at AMVCA 2016. He is also the director of the movie "Hakkunde," which represented Nigeria at the 50th anniversary edition of the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) in 2019. EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN brings excerpts.

1. How did you get into movie production?

I started out with a deep love for storytelling. In my early days, it was about experimenting with a camera and using a VHS recorder looped into our TV. Over the years, that curiosity grew into a career. I moved from short films to TV, to corporate videos, to commercials, to events, and then to full-length features. Hakkunde (2017) was my breakout, but even before that, I had been building quietly, studying the industry, working behind the scenes, and telling small stories with big messages. Producing for me came naturally from directing; when you care deeply about the project, you want to be involved in every stage.

2. What triggered the story of “3 Cold Dishes”?

The inspiration hit me in 2019 at the FESPACO film festival in Ouagadougou. I heard a real story of three young African women while traveling across West Africa under shocking circumstances. It stuck with me, their pain, their silence, their strength. I couldn’t let it go. What started as a simple idea turned into a 3-year journey of research, writing, and collaboration. It wasn’t just about revenge; it was about reclaiming power, about survival. I knew this story had to be told through a Pan-African lens, with bold female leads and unapologetic truth.

3. The film is massive in scope. What were some challenges of filming across West Africa?

Everything you can imagine, we faced it. Logistics: moving over 100 crew members and equipment across four countries; Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, and Mauritania, was a beast. Language: we shot in English, French, and local dialects, so translation and cultural accuracy mattered. Permits and customs: each country had different rules, and we had to build new local partnerships to navigate them. Security and terrain: some locations were remote, but we chose them because they brought authenticity to the film. What saved us? Planning, passion, and people. We had strong local crews, translators, fixers, and production support across every country. It was difficult, but it was also beautiful.

4. Can you share a sneak peek of the lead characters: Esosa, Fatouma, and Giselle, and their bond?

Each woman represents a different face of survival: Esosa is the fighter, a Nigerian woman trafficked young, who later undergoes military training. She’s the tactical mind behind the revenge. Fatouma is the connector, a Malian football hopeful turned trafficked victim; she ends up running drug operations to regain control. Giselle is the heart, a quiet, deeply hurt Beninese girl, abandoned by her family and sold. But she finds her voice through her sisters. Their bond wasn’t forced; it was born out of shared trauma, pain, and the refusal to be defined by what happened to them. In the film, that bond is everything. It’s what holds them together through chaos.

5. The film explores pain, power, and justice. How were these themes woven into the story?

We didn’t want to preach. We let the characters live their truth. Pain: you see it in their silence, in the flashbacks, in their rage. Power: comes not from fighting, but from choosing to stand back up, to plot their own path. Justice: it’s messy; it’s not always clean. But for these women, it’s personal, and it’s necessary. Every scene, every location, every decision the characters make is layered with those three themes. They don’t just tell the story; they are the story.

6. What sparked the collaboration with your incredible team of Executive Producers.

It was organic and intentional. Burna Boy came onboard through Spaceship Collective. His Pan-African mindset and global influence aligned perfectly with the film’s soul. Osas Ighodaro started as a lead actor, but her commitment, drive, and personal connection to the story earned her an Executive Producer credit. Mrs. Bose Ogulu brings a wealth of experience in cultural strategy and artistic development; her support gave the project clarity and structure. Ifind Pictures believed in the vision early, even when things were messy. Their belief helped us push through tough stages. Each one brought more than just name value; they brought real firepower—emotionally, financially, and strategically. Their presence amplifies the film’s chances of reaching global audiences.

7. When will “3 Cold Dishes” be released in cinemas?

We are rolling out in two phases: November 7, 2025: Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Cameroon.

November 28, 2025: Francophone countries: Côte d’Ivoire, Benin Republic, Senegal, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Guinea Conakry, Equatorial Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Central African Republic, DRC, Rwanda, Senegal,Chad, Togo, Tunisia and Togo. 

3 Cold Dishes is a statement. Africa is watching. The world will listen.

NB: This interview was originally published on Nairaland on October 7th, 2025.