Phyllis is a moving and atmospheric short film about a woman in Lagos, Nigeria, who is obsessed with synthetic Nollywood dramas – a kind of "psychic" vampire. The film explores the practice and meaning of wig-wearing in Nollywood, a theme the director imbues with psychological and science-fiction elements. It also critiques the harsh treatment of single women in Nollywood and Nigerian society. Directed by Zina Saro-Wiwa, Phyllis exemplifies her concept of "alt-Nollywood," a genre that reinterprets Nollywood's storytelling, style, and visuals. The film uses the gothic possibilities of the Nollywood aesthetic to create a unique, low-budget atmospheric film deeply rooted in Nollywood while simultaneously subverting it.
