The timeless biblical story of Leah and Rachel was retold through a modern lens as Still Here, a short film produced by Pastor Bidemi Mark Mordi, premiered before a select audience in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Sunday.
Inspired by the well known account of Jacob’s wives and Laban’s daughters, the film transports the ancient tale into present day society, exploring love, betrayal, family rivalry and the emotional weight of difficult choices in a way that feels both relatable and thought provoking.
Directed by Olusola Roberts, the film stars Simileoluwa Hassan as Tejiri, Ijeoma Aniebo as Eyimofe, Nenye Uzoma as Elohor and Yemoghor Ifesemen as Kome. The screenplay was written by Mannie Oiseomaye and adapted from Pastor Bidemi’s book Camou, which reimagines the lives of women in the Bible through contemporary stories.
Throughout the screening, viewers responded emotionally as the story unfolded. Audible sighs, murmurs and reactions filled the room, reflecting how deeply the film resonated with the audience. For many present, Still Here transformed an ancient biblical account into a story that speaks directly to the realities of modern relationships.
The film follows Mofe, who marries Tejiri, the man who was once in a relationship with her sister, Elohor, after Elohor leaves the country to continue her studies. When Elohor eventually returns, old wounds resurface, creating tension that threatens Mofe’s marriage. As unresolved emotions come to the surface, the sisters are forced to confront the painful decisions of the past. Seeking reassurance during the emotional turmoil, Mofe turns to her husband, who chooses to remain by her side despite the challenges they face.
Although its running time is brief, the film delivers a powerful message about rejection, longing for acceptance, complicated family ties and the lasting consequences of personal choices. It also highlights how stories written thousands of years ago continue to reflect the realities of people today.
Speaking after the screening, Pastor Bidemi revealed that Still Here was adapted from her book Camou, which was published four years ago. The book retells the stories of sixteen women in the Bible by placing them in modern settings.
According to her, the goal was not to retell familiar Bible stories word for word, but to imagine how those women might have responded if they lived in today’s world.
She explained, “Still Here is a contemporary story about women in the Bible. I retold their stories from my own perspective. I placed myself in their situations and asked, ‘If this were me, what would I do?’ This film does not offer a perfect ending because life itself is not always neat. I am not trying to preach. I simply want people to see that challenges come to everyone, including people of faith. When people find themselves in situations like Mofe or Elohor, we should be slow to judge because life can surprise anyone.”
She also shared why she deliberately chose relatively unfamiliar actors instead of established stars. According to her, preserving the message was more important than attracting attention through celebrity casting.
“I am not selling popularity. I am selling the message. Sometimes a famous face can distract from what the story is trying to say. These actors may not be widely known, but they are talented and committed to their craft,” she said.
Pastor Bidemi attended the premiere alongside her husband, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Mark Mordi, whom she described as one of her greatest sources of encouragement and support.
The faith based production is now available on YouTube, where it has continued to generate conversations online, with many viewers discussing how the story of Leah and Rachel still reflects the complexities of relationships and family dynamics in today’s society.
Beyond filmmaking, Bidemi Mark Mordi serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Verbatim Communications Limited. She is also a life coach, speaker, writer, publisher and the author of several books.
