A REVIEW; BY O, S, STEPHEN.
What distinctively distinguish Nigeria from other Africa states is, not only her giant nature , or 6th position as the largest oil producing and exporting countries in the world, but , also her rich arts, which encompasses every form of it. It spans, unarguably, centuries. It all starts from the oral form of arts; Ijala Ode, Ewi, Ekun Iyawo , Oriki, Alo Apamo, hunters’ chants. Her written form, pioneered by Ene Henshaw and Wole Soyinka, and the first generation playwrights. Traveling theatres, traced to its origin; the time of Alaafin Ogbolu , and his Ologbojo. Later ,the time of Hubert Ogunde, Kola Ogunmola, Duro Ladipo, and later the likes of Baba Sala, Dr. I .showpepper, AdeLove Afolayan (the father of the famous filmmaker kunle Afolayan), Kola Oyewo, Chief Lere Paimo, and lots more. In music, we had great men who sang their heart, perception, belief, thoughts, ideas, social comments, advices. Men like Fathai RollingDollar, Fela Anikulapo the great, Commander Ebennezer Obey the first, King Sunny Ade, Victor Iwaifo, I.K Dairo, Ayinla Omowura, Victor Olaiya, Ayinde Barrister, Ayinla Kollinton, Sir Shina Peter...Afrojuju maestro, Femi Kuti, the Trybes men, PlantashionBoiz, Remedies, Idris Abduareem, JJC Sillz and his 419squad, Seun Kuti, Mode 9, 2face Idibia , D’banj , Don Jazzy , and so many more (these are those I could remember. So don’t take it personal if you do not see some names). Now, we are celebrating the new Nollywood.
First and foremost, I want to congratulate Genevieve Nnaji on the success of her new film: LIONHEART, and on the distribution right bought by NETFLIX. I must say, you deserve it, and once more you have Inspire that young girl, lady and young man, not give up on his/her dreams. Though, it may tarry, but it will eventually happen .
This is a story of a young beautiful lady, Adaeze , who , with her uncle struggles to save her father’s transport company from bankruptcy. A company that represents her father, and the entire family’s legacy . It is a story that centres on leadership, love, loyalty, family, unity, inter-tribal relationship, talents, betrayer, and many more.
Truthfully, this story is not a WOW story, but what stood it out among the rest is that, it is a common story , told in an uncommon way.
One of the noticeable thing about the film is that , I saw Genevieve correcting wrong perspective about the Igbos. White writers: Joyce Carey and David Conrad in their books: MR JOHNSON AND HEART OF DARKNESS, misrepresented Nigeria, Nigerians, Africa and Africans. Chinua Achebe wrote THINGS FALL APART to correct this wrong representations. She did the same. Kudos her.
She made a case for feminism (and did not disappoint) ; the issue of right, equality, and a female can do better ( what a man can do) is evidence in the film. Her role was perfect. I could see the oozing confidence and what her father, Chief Ernest Obiagu (Pete Edochie ,the wise one ) sees in his daughter. She is a goal-getter, dedicated, diligent, hardworking, persistent, solution-finder, problem solver( the way she solved the problem with the miscreants at the beginning of the movie says a lot about her leadership qualities). I am sure Onyinye ( Jemima Osunde ) agrees with me on this .
The film is not predictable. It isn’t the usual Nollywood kind of story; it is very different , and full of suspense. In filmmaking, there is a rule that says ‘’ it must not be told rather, it must be shown’’. Which means that , if it is not showable then, it is not good enough, as , this is a visual means of the media.
Tribalism would have followed the movie, but thank God for wisdom. The choice of another ethnic group , specifically , Northern Nigeria, was perfect. I believe they chose right. Choosing Yoruba would have been wrong (Igbos and the Yorubas re born lovers; they naturally love themselves. But Igbos and the Hausas are always fighting themselves. Remember the independence period, civil war , …). Bringing in the north was a great idea, because through this collaboration, the LIONHEART team has planted another seed of peace, and unity between the ethnic groups which I pray will germinate well.
ACTING
Genny , it seems to me that you carefully selected your actors( which is not a bad idea, as you can choose whoever you want to be part of your production). But, I am going to be very honest , as a theatre student , and a stage actor myself, I must say, they all acted well. I think it is fair enough to say that. Though, they could have been better , but they were good nevertheless. I won’t mention everyone of them. I will only talk about those who the social media family have been talking about and those they did not notice were exceptional. ( no need to be talking about people who acted well like Pete Edochie, Onyeka Onwenu, Kalu Ikeagwu, Kanayo .o. Kanayo , and the other great actors . I repeat they were all great)
ESCOTT KAMAR- THANGOD (THUG)
The leader of the thugs at the beginning of the scene is an exceptional actor; a very good one. He brought a lot of action to the first scene, both he and his entourage of thugs , they were perfect. He was able to carry his feelings, anger, and situation on ground on his face( did you notice how red his eye was). He was able to render his lines with lots of energy. I couldn’t understand the Igbo he was speaking, but I felt the point he was making through his mannerism, facial expressions, action, and dialogue. Wherever you are, sir, I salute you.
JEMIMA OSUNDE-OYINYE
A pretty young lady with a fine face, and a fine brain. A medical student , who combines her school with her passion. She played Adaeze’s personal assistant. A funny role she played well. She has constantly proven herself since Mtvbase shuga series, New money and the rest. I see a lot of prospect, and I strongly believe in her that she’s sure going places. keep soaring.
PETER OKOYE (PSQUARE)
The addition of his sonorous voice and the keyboard ( as seen in the movie ) is equal to excellence . I believe he has a great voice, and he does not have any reason to prove it again. For a first timer, except for music videos acting (if it can be call such), you are good, with time he will become better. But , I saw something, the chemistry between Peter and Genny was a 21st century own .
CHIBUZO AZUUBUIE ‘’PHYNO’’
Phyno tried a lot. He brought the hip-hop feels to the film. But, Phyno , ‘’who did Obiagu’s beat ? Masterkraft right?’’ …. that beat is siccckkkk. Masterkraft is a genius. The hook was very catchy , you cannot carry the course; you must to dance. I found myself dancing, and chanting …obaigu…obiagu…. .Please shoot a video for the song. It , sure, going to be an instant hit. I dare say it to your face, that you, Phyno, are a great singer, rapper and entertainer.
OSOFIA
This man is one of the persons that made this film very interesting. His impact cannot be overemphasized. He was extremely hilarious, and wasn’t the usual uncle that always take over the brother’s properties. His role was a comic- relief. Sir, you are a great comedian, no one would have done it better; you were perfect for the role.
CREW MEMBERS
The entire team was awesome, the writers and the director did a commendable job. The director of photography was good with his camera, lights... The shots contributed to the story, and applied to the psychological side of the viewers. I love all the shots expecially the XLS/ELS, and the BIRDEYE VIEW shots. The scene’s establishment shots , the high shot, and the camera angles ; was creatively done. Overall, a job weldone.
ERROR
Interestingly, the one thing that set the movie apart positively, which is the Igbo language, is the same thing that limits it; as there was no subtitle. This particular issue brings to my memory the issue of language at ‘’ A CONFERENCE OF AFRICAN LITERATURE. THE FIRST AFRICAN WRITERS CONFERENCE, WHICH WAS HELD AT MAKERERE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE IN KAMPALA, UGANDA. OFFICIALLY CALLED A ‘ CONFERENCE OF AFRICAN WRITERS OF ENGLISH EXPRESSION’ ‘’. The conference was sponsored by the Congress for Cultural Freedom and the Mbari Club in association with the Department of Extra-Mural Studies of Makerere, whose director was Gerald Moore. The conference was attended by many prominent African writers, including: from West Africa, Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka (Nobel Laureate in Literature), John Pepper Clark, Obi Wali, Gabriel Okara, Christopher Okigbo, Bernard Fonlon, Frances Ademola, Cameron Duodu, Kofi Awoonor; from South Africa: Ezekiel Mphahlele, Bloke Modisane, Lewis Nkosi, Dennis Brutus, Arthur Maimane; from East Africa Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o ( James Ngugi), Robert Serumaga, Rajat Neogy (founder of Transition Magazine), Okot p'Bitek, Pio Zirimu (credited with coining the term "orature"), Grace Ogot, Rebecca Njau, David Rubadiri, Jonathan Kariara; and from the African diaspora Langston Hughes. The conference was "not only the very first major international gathering of writers and critics of African literature on the African continent; it was also held at the very cusp of political independence for most African countries. Ngugi wa Thiong’o and Obi Wali both subscribed to the idea of indigenous use of language in writing, While Chinua Achebe drew people’s attention to the limitation of using the indigenous language , and therefore suggested they use the language of their colonial masters( Nigeria was colonized by the British, hence , English language) in other to reach wider readers . Professor Wole Soyinka subscribed to the idea of technicality in the use of the foreign language, to prove the intellectual capability of the black man. Niyi Osundare suggested the colloquial use of the foreign language for the sake of the layman. Chinua Achebe rose , again, and suggested they subscribe to HYBRIDITY, which means ; the fusion of the foreign language and the indigenous language in a wor of arts. This is evidence in Chinua Achebe’s books like THINGS FALL APART, ARROW OF GOD, A MAN OF THE PEOPLE, and transliteration is obvious as well in Wole Soyinka’s book: DEATH , AND THE KING’S HORSEMAN, THE LION , AND THE JEWEL, ALAPATA APATA. These booKs as over the years receive positive results , and as such serve as a bank, for Nigerian culture. In the movie, LIONHEART, the use of that indigenous language was a great idea, as it set the eastern part of Nigeria apart from the foreign language , as many erroneously believe it emanates from them. Therefore, the use of that Igbo language defines them, set them apart, and most importantly, define their true identity.
Once again, I want to , emphatically , state that I love the film, and I look forward to see more, from this particular team.