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SEEKING REFUGE

By Niyi TOWOLAWI

Drama - Completed 2021

Hard-working immigrant father Jeffrey - a former doctor in Nigeria - struggles to provide for his family whilst steering his son Chidne towards medical schooling. Jeffrey’s wife Blessin’s suspicions set off a chain of events that lead to the dissolution of their family.

- Year of production
- 2021
- Genres
- Drama
- Countries
- UNITED KINGDOM
- Languages
- ENGLISH
- Budget
- N/A
- Duration
- 100 mn
- Director(s)
- Niyi TOWOLAWI
- Cast
- Kate HENSHAW, Yami BLAQ
- Producer(s)
- Olufemi ONABAJO (global visionz)
- Synopsis
- Doubt. Perseverance. Redemption.
  
  Despite being a qualified doctor in his native Nigeria, Jeffrey must work as a delivery driver to support his family. With rent in arrears and bills piling up, Jeffrey and his wife Blessin feel the financial pressures of raising a family while their friends live in comparative wealth. This is worsened by their attendance at a party, condescendingly offering Jeffrey work and discussing marital infidelity. Jeffrey’s desire for social betterment and a fulfilling career is passed on to his uncertain son Chidne through talk of attending medical school. Meanwhile, Jeffrey assists in saving the life of a young boy, whose mother - Erica - expresses her gratitude. Jeffrey becomes a surrogate father for the boy.
  Their financial situation, Jeffrey’s long hours and visits to Erica and her son, and her friend’s experiences of betrayal begin to raise Blessin’s defences, culminating in openly accusing Jeffrey of having an affair. Chidne becomes disillusioned with his family life and loses respect for his father, spending an increasing amount of time with a local gang. Chidne’s delinquency drives Jeffrey over the edge when he rejects Jeffrey’s wishes for his career; a domestic disturbance results in Jeffrey being arrested for assaulting a police officer.
  Six months later, Jeffrey is paroled, but finds his family in disarray. Blessin refuses to accept him back into their lives. Chidne spends all of his time with his criminal friends, whose behaviour is becoming increasingly dangerous. The only beacons of hope in Jeffrey’s life are his daughter Remy’s faith in him and working with at risk youths. Can Jeffrey bring his family back from the brink of collapsing?