Marking a grand entrance into Nollywood and looking to gain momentum against Netflix, their streaming rival, Amazon Prime Video has ticked several items off its newcomer’s to-do list. From post theatrical licensing deals with Anthill Studios and Inkblot Productions, operating social media accounts, snagging a couple of older titles off the shelf, signing Nemsia Films to an exclusive 3-picture deal, unveiling their Nigerian executives Kemi Lala Akindoju and Mike-Steve Adeleye, hosting a couple of industry events, to announcing Jade Osiberu’s highly anticipated crime drama Gangs of Lagos as an original film to stream globally on their platform.
It doesn’t end there.
Jade Osiberu has also signed a 3-year deal that will see her exclusively make projects for the streamer. Before the results of that partnership reach our screens, here is everything we know about Gangs of Lagos, a Prime Video original directed by Osiberu, starring Tobi Bakre, Adesua Etomi-Wellington and Chike.
Story
In what is set to be Jade Osiberu’s second feature directorial effort on our screens, Gangs of Lagos is a gritty drama set in Isale Eko, one of the darkest corners of Lagos. In 2016, while shooting a scene of Gidi Up season 3 on a rooftop in Isale Eko, Osiberu was inspired to write a film about a group of friends who grow up on the streets of Isale Eko. In Gangs of Lagos, a group of friends have to navigate their own destiny, growing up on the bustling streets and neighborhood of Isale Eko, Lagos. Set predominantly in this gang-run area of Lagos, the film was inspired by real-life characters. We expect Gangs of Lagos to be a deep study of one’s childhood and the road to adulthood. References could be Rapman’s Blue Story and Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight.
The Cast
Tobi Bakre (Brotherhood) as Obalola, Adesua Etomi-Wellington (The Set Up 2) as Gift and Chike as Panama play best friends in Gangs of Lagos. Other cast members include Chioma Akpotha (Omo Ghetto: The Saga), Yvonne Jegede (Gold Statue), Mr Macaroni (Ayinla), Bimbo Ademoye (Breaded Life), Tayo Faniran, Damilola Ogunsi (Mokalik), Eniola Badmus (One Lagos Night), Iyabo Ojo (The Ghost and the Tout Too), Funke Williams, Yhemo Lee, Zlatan, Maleek of Ikorodu Bois (Anikulapo), Pasuma and Black Camaru. Child actors Oluwanifemi Lawal and Small Mummy will also star in Gangs of Lagos.
Setting
While parts of Gangs of Lagos will be set in modern day Lagos, details are still unclear on how far into the past we will go into our characters’ early years.
The Crew
Gangs of Lagos, directed by Jade Osiberu (who also serves as a producer under Greoh Studios), is produced by Kemi Lala Akindoju and co-produced by Akin Omotoso.
Distribution Rights
Gangs of Lagos will be available to stream globally on Prime Video as an original from April 7.
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