Actor and filmmaker Daniel Etim-Effiong has expressed immense joy over the widespread acclaim his latest film, The Herd, has received, describing the experience as both “exhilarating and humbling.”
In an interview with Saturday Beats, Etim-Effiong revealed that the overwhelmingly positive feedback from audiences has been deeply gratifying.
“I am ecstatic. I am really excited that the reception has been great. I have not got one bad review as of today. My favorite thing right now is to go into the cinema hall, sit down, and see people react to the film. I cannot really stop watching it myself. It’s a truly exciting time for me,” he said.
While celebrating the success, the actor noted that he also feels the pressure to ensure the film’s commercial performance matches its critical praise.
“There is also the burden of making sure the film does well in the opening weekend. We are out here trying to push the film and make people see it. But because we have a limited marketing budget, there is only so much we can do to promote it,” he explained.
Reflecting on what The Herd means to him personally, Etim-Effiong described the project as a reaffirmation of his storytelling abilities.
“I have always known it, but this movie proves that I can tell good stories,” he stated.
Speaking on the film’s inspiration, he shared how his childhood experiences influenced the story’s themes.
“It’s something I am passionate about. When I was growing up, I used to take road trips with my dad. Now, I would love to take road trips with my kids, but because of the fear of hijackers on the highway, I won’t dare. I would rather fly anywhere I want to go with my children. It’s tragic that we have such beautiful scenery in Nigeria, and one can’t access it because of insecurity.”
Etim-Effiong’s The Herd continues to draw strong cinema audiences, further solidifying his growing reputation as one of Nollywood’s most thoughtful and versatile filmmakers.#newsafro_
