Neon unveils first trailer for Lagos-set Clarissa ahead of December release

Neon has released the first trailer for Clarissa ahead of its release in the United States on 11 December, according to Deadline. The film is the second feature from twin filmmakers Arie Esiri and Chuko Esiri, and the trailer launch on 1 October starts its public rollout.

Clarissa is a loose adaptation of Virginia Woolf's novel Mrs Dalloway, moved from London to Lagos. It follows a high-society woman as she organises a party at her home and encounters friends from her youth. Sophie Okonedo and India Amarteifio lead the cast, playing the title character Clarissa at different ages, Deadline reported.

The wider ensemble includes David Oyelowo, Toheeb Jimoh and Nikki Amuka-Bird. Ayo Edebiri appears in a supporting role. Chuko Esiri wrote the screenplay, and Okonedo also serves as an executive producer on the project.

The production was shot on 35mm film in Nigeria, the traditional celluloid format valued for its grain and colour. Filming took place in Lagos and Delta State, according to Variety. That choice gives the Lagos story a textured, analogue look on screen.

Clarissa was produced by Chuko Esiri, Arie Esiri, Theresa Park for Per Capita Productions, and Nicholas Weinstock for Invention Studios. Nina Gold and Thomas Bassett served as co-producers. The executive producers are Sophie Okonedo, Dolly Omodolapo Kola-Balogun, Osahon Okunbo and Jason Reif.

Neon acquired worldwide rights to the film, meaning it controls distribution in all territories, a deal first reported by Variety. The project is backed by CANEX and was first shown to the industry through a first-look image in May, according to Variety. It later played at Cannes, where Variety reported a warm reception.

The Esiris arrived with Eyimofe (This Is My Desire), their debut feature. It premiered in Berlin, won five African Movie Academy Awards, and was released by Janus Films before joining the Criterion Collection, the home-video library of selected films.

For viewers new to Woolf, the set-up is simple. One woman. One day. One party bringing the past back into the room. The trailer offers the first extended look before Neon handles the United States theatre release on 11 December.