NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Criterion Blu-ray (April 2022): Criterion have transferred twin brothers Arie and Chuko Esiri's Eyimofe (This Is My Desire) to Blu-ray. It is cited as being a "New 2K digital transfer, approved by directors Arie and Chuko Esiri". Eyimofe was shot on 16mm. It doesn't look as raw and grainy as older films using that format and it actually is a pleasing HD presentation suitable to the tones of the film and reflective of neorealism. The saturation is not heavy, but colors carry a natural depth and there is surprising detail in the few close-ups. It was shot in 1.66:1 and is housed on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate. The film is clean and appears to be represented faithfully via the Criterion Blu-ray image. 

NOTE: We have added 38 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Criterion use a robust DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround track (24-bit) in the English language (with some Hausa.) Eyimofe (This Is My Desire) is not a dynamic film in terms of the audio but there are adept instances of separation and very little aggressive bass. The accents can be heavy and Criterion offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

There are many supplements on the Blu-ray. Criterion include a 37-minute new (2022) interview with directors Arie and Chuko Esiri discussing their creative processes; shooting Eyimofe, their debut feature, in their native Lagos, Nigeria; and the paths they took to get there, with filmmaker (and Arie's former professor) Bette Gordon. There is a 1/4 hour interview with producer Melissa O. Adeyemo, recorded in 2021 by Criterion, where she discusses how the filmmaking team and financing for Eyimofe - funded entirely in Nigeria - came together, and the realities of filming on location in Lagos. Criterion include two deleted scenes featuring audio commentary featuring directors Arie and Chuko Esiri. Although they had to be cut from the final version of Eyimofe, these were key to the filmmakers' creative and working process. There are three short films as part of the supplements; Goose running shy of 10-minutes was directed by Arie and Chuko Esiri in 2017, while they were studying film at Columbia University and New York University, respectively, and it stars Eyimofe's Jacob Alexander as a single father and amateur fighter on the verge of going pro who discovers that his forgetfulness may be a symptom of something worse. Besida is from 2018 and runs 11.5 minutes. The plot is described as "Where were you when I needed you? What do you want now?' says the sister to her brother. A tiny village, the cars only stop here to take the young women to the city. 'You were there yourself,' she says. 'That's exactly the point,' he replies. 'Don't go." Because Men in Silk Shirts on Lagos Nights is a 4-minute short made by Arie Esiri in 2018 for the fashion brand Maki Oh. Shot on celluloid at night in Lagos, Nigeria, the film has eerie postapocalyptic and Afrofuturist overtones. Lastly is a trailer and the package has a liner notes with an essay by writer and film producer Maryam Kazeem.

Arie and Chuko Esiri's Eyimofe (This Is My Desire) is a melancholy and restless film of people struggling, surviving to extricate themselves under emotionally straining circumstances. The non-glossy, pure, 1080P image is totally suitable to the film's, often defeatist, themes. Character development methodically builds - another facet in enhancing the vérité expression. I really enjoyed it and the cultural expressions explored in the film. We are reminded that the stark present, and unforgiving future, is not a pleasant prospect for many outside of our protected bubble. The direction is well-realized with thoughtful shots and the slow sense of anger, pessimism and resilience that is transferred with effortless precision. A remarkable debut. I will definitively revisit Eyimofe again. Thanks to Criterion for bringing this film to a complete Blu-ray package. It is strongly recommended.

Gary Tooze