The Story You Haven’t Heard About ‘Seven Doors’ – Femi Adebayo

When you hear about Femi Adebayo’s latest film Seven Doors, what comes to mind? A gripping tale of power? A cultural masterpiece? It’s much more than that. The inspiration behind this film is something deeply personal, something rooted in real-life experiences that Femi Adebayo holds close to his heart.

In a candid chat with Saturday Beats, Femi shared the surprising origin of Seven Doors. He revealed that the movie was inspired by the life of a king he was fortunate to be close to. 

This wasn’t just about a king’s story; it was about the struggles and challenges faced by those in power—struggles many might not even consider.

Femi pointed out that, often, kings are seen as untouchable figures, almost like mini-gods. But, as he shared, kings are also human beings, just like anyone else, with blood running through their veins. They face their own difficulties before they sit on the throne and after they’ve been crowned. 

These untold aspects of a king’s life formed the heart of Seven Doors. Femi wanted to show that kings, despite their power, are just as vulnerable as the rest of us. This was a powerful message he wanted to convey through his film.

But Seven Doors isn’t just about culture and royalty. It’s also a love story. Femi emphasized that, while the film explores traditional themes, it’s the idea of love overcoming all obstacles that truly stands out. 

When love and tradition come into conflict, love wins, he believes. This is the message Femi hopes audiences will take away from the movie—love is always the answer, no matter the situation.

While much has been made of the intense scenes in Seven Doors, including the highly talked-about kissing scene with his co-actor, Chioma Chukwuka, Femi remains grounded. He explained that his role was about interpreting the character and bringing the story to life. 

But, interestingly, the scene that stands out to him isn’t the one people are buzzing about. Instead, it’s the moment when chiefs are laid on the floor and beaten, a scene that Femi wasn’t even in, but one that left a lasting impact on him as a filmmaker.

Femi Adebayo’s Seven Doors is much more than just a movie. It’s a love letter to culture, a tribute to the challenges of leadership, and a bold statement about the power of love.