When the average Nigerian describes the personnel of the Nigerian military, they would most likely conjure up a fearful image of a camouflage-wearing brute, barking orders that are often reinforced with physical violence and the occasional ‘accidental discharge’. Basically, an image of oppression. Who can blame them? The military’s infamy is not a cooked-up stereotype. After experiencing several brutal military regimes and continued abuse of power by military personnel, even in this era of democracy, it’s easy to forget sometimes that beneath those dappled garbs are humans breathing and living just like any other. Like Fela said, “uniform na cloth,…
Author: Ayodele Olawumi
Read More
In Charlotte Mew’s 1912 poem “The Farmer’s Bride,” a farmer muses over his marriage to a much younger maiden who is clearly unhappy with her assigned role as a wife and terrified of him. He is unable to really understand her, even as he relates to her fear. In the poem, one can find the inspiration for Film One Studios’ latest original, The Farmer’s Bride, which depicts a young maiden, Funmi (Gbubemi Ejeye), with dreams of furthering her education, falling in love, and making something of her life who is married off to Odun (Femi Branch), a rich and aging…
There seems to be a gap of information in the Nigerian film space, with multiple news publications describing When Love Strikes as Nigeria’s first football movie. While the scale of production might make it tempting to call it a ‘first’, it is a sin no one should be guilty of because this would mean that Uche Jombo’s self-directed Onye Egwu was never released earlier this year on Prime Video; in fact when Zubby Michael pops up on the screen in the opening scene, I half expected that we were being treated to a sequel as he reprises a similar role.…
Aishat Lawal, known better for her role as one of the meddlesome wives of the Alaafin in the Anikulapo film and series, takes on more principal roles in this self-produced film. The actress plays the lead character, Eriola, in a university drama set in some past time when Afro wigs and sharply cut sideburns were the trend. Inferable from the title, the film’s plot is a crossroad where several complications collide to create a messy narrative. Taiwo Hassan, Aisha Lawal, and Layi Wasabi Discuss Their Roles in ‘Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre’ (Exclusive Interview) Eriola, despite being a medical student,…
Until 2023, Naz Onuzo, one of the three Inkblot founders, was the only one consistently behind the camera as a director at the studio. Last year, Damola Ademola made his directorial debut with a one-location getaway gone wrong in A Weekend to Forget. This year, Zulu Oyibo’s debut, The Betrayed, is another among the executives in the Inkblot household that goes the murder mystery route, adding to the list of poorly structured mystery plots that lack memorable characters, twists, misdirections, and suspense— essential elements for the whodunit world. Tech founders and close friends, Bala (Gabriel Afolayan) and Batista (Ibrahim Suleiman), have…
Sports-themed films are characterised by inspirational and compelling plots. In these films, the subjects of the plot depict the spirit of competition, teamwork, and will to overcome the obstacles on their journey of struggles, triumphs, and growth. The Blind Side (2009), Rocky (1976) and Goal (2005) are examples that depict these features. While Uche Jombo’s self-directed Onye Egwu possesses some of these characteristics, the execution leaves much to be desired. It suffers from inconsistencies in style, plot, and performance, all of which heavily restrict the film from reaching its ceiling. Onye Egwu rolls together a coming-of-age and a coming-of-death story…
Muri and Ko, the result of the latest collaboration between Biodun Stephen and Inkblot Studios, is a fairly exciting comedy thriller starring Kunle Remi as the titular Muri and child actor Fiyinfoluwa Asenuga as Cole. Muri is a petty thief who is down on his luck and a debtor who is always on the run. After several stealing escapades fail to yield desirable results, his friend Rasky (Bro Bouche) lets him in on a more profitable venture— vehicle spare parts theft. With the promise of good returns for any vehicle parts, Muri sets to work immediately. Muri soon hits the…
Criminal, the latest film from Anthill Studios, is a hostage drama set within the walls of a hospital. The film is written by Nìyí Akinmolayan and directed by Dolapo Adigun, a product of a directing training program facilitated by Nìyí Akinmolayan last year. The film tells the story of a criminal gang leader who holds a hospital hostage in order to get lifesaving treatment for his wounded brother. Greenleaf Hospital, under the guidance of Dr Amara Nwachukwu (Funlola Aofiyebi), has just admitted a significant number of patients after a gruesome road accident that has left the victims in varying degrees…
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti is a name that resonates with every Nigerian who has had the opportunity to receive primary education: “the first woman to drive a car in Nigeria”. While this might have been a mean feat for a woman in her time, it is unfortunate that this singular occurrence has been used to define and inadvertently undermine the legacy of one of the most significant women in Nigerian history. FRK was a progressive women’s rights activist and a foremost voice in the Nigerian political scene, especially in the struggle for independence. Her legacy has long needed revision, and Bolanle Austen-Peters’…
<Read in Jimmy’s (Anthony Hopkins) voice > “On the far edges of the Motherworld’s reach, circling the gas giant Mara, was the small moon of Veldt… In an ambush on the floating docks of Gondoval, Kora triumphed over Admiral Noble, leaving his shattered body on the rocky coastline.” If you watched Rebel Moon: Child Of Fire, the first part of Zack Snyder’s latest saga, you already get the gist. If not, Jimmy (Anthony Hopkins) gives a quick but detailed recap of the events. In my review, I described Child Of Fire as a long-winded exposition for part 2, as it…