Star Wars sequel trilogy star Lupita Nyong’o is to search for a forgotten female army in a documentary for UK terrestrial broadcaster Channel 4.
The network has commissioned Warrior Women with Lupita Nyong’o (w/t), which will see the actress, who also appeared in 12 Years A Slave, journey across Benin, West Africa to uncover the ‘Agoji’ – or as Europeans labelled them, the ‘Amazons’.
These armies, of up to 4,000 women, fought African and European powers from the 17th to the 19th centuries in the Kingdom of Dahomey, not too dissimilar to Marvel’s Black Panther story.
The one-off doc is produced SandStone Global Productions, which has produced Bettany Hughes-fronted docs including Egypt’s Greatest Treasures and The Nile: Egypt’s Great River for Viacom’s Channel 5.
It was ordered by Channel 4’s Commissioning Editor, Specialist Factual Shaminder Nahal.
Nahal said, “Lupita Nyong’o’s investigation into the real story of the all-female army is thrilling, haunting and emotional. It’s amazing the true story of these kick-ass female fighters isn’t more widely known – and in telling it, the film challenges dominant narratives about race, women and power. With some surprises along the way.”
