For actress and filmmaker Victoria Volta, the production of Ije Awele became much more than another entry on her professional résumé. It was an experience that brought together acting, personal reflection and a deeper appreciation of the responsibility that comes with telling stories rooted in difficult social realities.
At the centre of that experience was the late Onyeka Onwenu, the celebrated Nigerian musician, actress and advocate, with whom Volta shared the screen in the film.
Formerly known professionally as Victoria Nwogu, Volta said working alongside Onwenu remains one of the defining experiences of her career. She recalled an actress whose presence on set was marked by sincerity, depth and a strong belief in the importance of meaningful storytelling.
“There was a depth and sincerity she carried into her work,” Volta said. “You could tell she believed in stories having meaning beyond entertainment.”
In Ije Awele, Volta takes on the lead role of a young woman confronted with years of silence, betrayal and emotional trauma within her family. Onwenu plays her mother, a role that adds another layer of emotional complexity to the narrative.
The film deals with abuse, survival, healing and emotional rediscovery, requiring the cast to approach its subject matter with sensitivity. For Volta, portraying a character carrying such emotional weight meant recognising that the story reflected experiences that extend beyond the screen.
“It was not the kind of role you approach lightly,” she said. “Some stories demand emotional responsibility because they reflect realities many people silently live with.”
That responsibility extended beyond her performance. Volta also served as producer and co-executive producer on the project, giving her the opportunity to engage with the production from multiple creative and organisational perspectives.
The experience, she said, broadened her understanding of the filmmaking process and reinforced her belief that cinema can do more than entertain. Stories, particularly those dealing with family, trauma and personal recovery, can create conversations around experiences that are often left unspoken.
Her creative interests have increasingly centred on emotionally driven narratives, especially stories that explore womanhood, resilience and healing. Those themes have become an important part of the direction she is taking as she develops her career under the name Victoria Volta.
For the actress, Ije Awele therefore represents more than a film in which she played a leading role. It also stands as a meeting point between performance, production and social consciousness.
Her time working with Onwenu remains particularly significant. Rather than simply being an opportunity to share scenes with one of Nigeria’s respected artistes, Volta sees the experience as one that reinforced the value of purpose-driven storytelling.
As she enters a new phase of her career, she said the lessons from Ije Awele and her experience with Onwenu will continue to influence the kinds of stories she chooses to tell and the way she approaches them.
For Volta, the lasting significance of the project lies not only in the finished film but also in the creative journey behind it — one shaped by emotional honesty, human experience and the belief that stories can leave an impact long after the final scene.