Beyond The Veil Season 2 Expanding Representation Of Northern Women

Beyond The Veil Season 2, a series depicting different facets of northern women and they struggle to balance their personal life, family and career, hosted a mini screening for its cast, crew and limited guests at the Dunes Center, Abuja.

The screening of Season 2: Episode 1, held hours post its premiere on Amazon Prime on June 7, which saw the series become the second most viewed series in Nigeria on the platform.

Created by Nadine Ibrahim and Sifa Asani Gowon, and directed by Ibrahim, the series though told from northern female perspectives hold universal experiences like inter-tribal and inter-religious relationships, drug abuse, domestic violence, conflicts arising from a polygamous setting and the question of choosing one’s career versus having a family or doing both, that every woman can relate to.

Speaking on the importance of portraying the story via a northern lens, and the FCT, Gowon said the aim was a narrative that is ‘relatable, authentic and real’.

“I grew up in the north, and recognize the lives of northern women. I recognize the culture, the tradition. I am not Muslim but grew up around Muslims. There are some sensitivities and sensibilities that I recognize. So, it was very important for Nadine and I to get together and tell a story that wasn’t a gimmick. And when people go see it they will go, “I know someone like this”, or “I recognize this”, “I can feel this”.

“We think we told a story that while centered on northern women, is something that something someone in South Africa or the Middle East can watch say, “I get this,””

Whilst they worked to navigate difficult issues with truth and respect, Gowon noted it was more an ‘one man’s meat is another’s poison’ situation.

“In as much as we did not set out to offend anyone, there is still very much a possibility that some might find it offensive,” said Gowon whose initial fear or viewers response to the first series was allayed, particularly, by the overwhelming positive response of northern viewers. And season 2 seems it’s off to a good start.

On how effective the positive response to the series has translated to a change of mindsets, attitude or behaviour towards women in northern Nigeria, Co-executive producer Beyond The Veil, Ishaya Bako said rather than breaking stereotypes, the series is focused on representation, and adding to the (ongoing) conversation.

“It is very tricky and difficult to access level of change, whether it is behaviour or perceptions. We are just trying to tell the story, and the pluralism on the story as well; because we are complex through and through, and society is a reflection of that. The show is a reflection of that.”

He, however, noted that in film’s capacity to depict possibilities, the series promotes women in leadership positions, women entrepreneurs, who likewise, hold agency in their marriages.

Continuing the stories of the protagonists Zainab (Ame Aiyejina), Na’ima (Jemimah Osunde), Hanifah (Maryam Booth) and Baddriyah (Norah Ego), Beyond The Veil Season 2, is “raising the stakes higher in the challenges they face. How they overcome their challenges,” said Bako. “Even in terms of production, we raised the bar in every aspect – set designing, art direction, cinematography and sound design.”

“Beyond The Veil is a project close to my heart. This evening is about appreciating everyone who made this dream a reality. Filmmaking is a job for the fainthearted. It takes a lot hard work and team work,” said Ibrahim.

Beyond The Veil Season 2 is available for streaming on Amazon Prime.