Biopics and historical films based on real-life events are not common in Nollywood, and when you watch a film like The Darkest Hour, you crave a Moshood Abiola (MKO) biopic; a series like Ava Duverney’s gut-wrenching When They See Us makes you want to see the story of the ALUU Four on the big screen […]
Biopics and historical films based on real-life events are not common in Nollywood, and when you watch a film like The Darkest Hour, you crave a Moshood Abiola (MKO) biopic; a series like Ava Duverney’s gut-wrenching When They See Us makes you want to see the story of the ALUU Four on the big screen because films and series of such nature spark conversation on topics that are important. Also, they educate the current generations of our past; its murkiness and its glory.
Most likely propelled by When They See Us, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Abia state on Public Communication, Sam Hart tweeted “has Nollywood done any biopic of any famous person?” The answer is yes. Nollywood has told the stories of some of Nigeria’s villains and heroes, but they are only a few. One of the reasons for the paucity of these stories is that they are expensive to make and there are no real assurances of recouping investment.
93 Days, which explored Nigeria’s battle against Ebola, cost ₦400 million and grossed a paltry ₦20 million. This was a well-shot film that told an important story yet it flopped commercially. Watching this film helps one understand the seriousness of the Ebola crisis in Lagos; how the state came close to being overtaken by the deadly virus and the role certain people played to avert that. This film showed Nigeria has heroes. Real life heroes. Something we don’t get to see often. When the coming generation watches the film, they will remember that one time the country stood together and fought.
“Never have our people, and our nation, risen to a challenge like we did last month and never have we paid a higher price… The memory of all the people who died will never fade, not as long as there is a Nigeria to remember them.” — Dr. Ohiaeri Benjamin (played by Danny Glover), the chief medical doctor of First Consultants Medical Centre, at the closing monologue of 93 Days.
But despite everything that film stands for, everyone is probably shying away from telling a similar story because of the legitimate fear of not making their money back. As Nollywood director, Dare Olaitan put it, “the current system doesn’t support this.”
But we cannot shy away from telling these stories because of their importance; they spur conversations that we need to have. Just take a look at the reactions that have followed the release of Ava Duverney’s When They See Us.
We examine a few true-life Nigerian stories that Nollywood has explored in the list below. One of them is the yet to be released Queen Amina by Izu Ojukwu.
93 Days
Based on the heroes of the battle against Ebola.
When Patrick Sawyer, a Liberian-American collapses upon arrival at the Murtala Mohammed International airport in Lagos, Nigeria, he is taken to Fiest Consultants Hospital, where he is admitted with fever like symptoms. Against his denial of contact with an Ebola victim in Liberia, the team at First Consultants, led by doctor Stella Ameyo Adadevoh, quickly deduce that there is more to his case than malaria. Suddenly they are in a race against time to contain a very deadly disease from breaking out and spreading in a mega city with a population of over 20 million people and beginning what could be the deadliest disease outbreak the world has ever known.
Cast: Bimbo Akintola, Danny Glover, Gideon Okeke, Somkele Idhalama, Charles Okafor, and Bimbo Manuel.
1929 is a true-life story focusing on the Ikot Abasi women’s unrest of 1929 that claimed the lives of many women protesters across the eastern part of Nigeria.
Cast: Ireti Doyle, Sola Sobowale and Sam Dede.
Idahosa Trails
Based on an American journalist’s journey to meeting and interviewing Bishop Idahosa.
The story is about the coincidental experience of an American Journalist (Thomas Book – David Schifter) who seeks to interview a reputable preacher (Idahosa) based on his perception of the latter’s role in the miraculous recovery of a popular chief in Benin City, whose recovery happened spontaneously after six years in a coma.
Cast: David Schifter, Osas Ighodaro – Ajibade, Kunle Idowu (Frank Donga), Patrick Doyle, Liz Ameye, Mike Omoregbee, and Adedamola Akapo.
Invasion 1897
Based on the 1897 invasion of the Benin Kingdom by the British Empire.
Aiming to seize control of coveted rubber trees, British colonial forces move into West Africa’s Benin Empire to depose its powerful ruler.
Cast: Mike Omoregbee, Segun Arinze, Murtaza Arif, Charles Inojie, and Paul Obazele.
Based on Amina, the warrior Queen of Zazzua (present-day Zaria).
She lived in the age of man in a man’s world. In an ancient world of brutal conflicts, ferocious animal passions, suppressive timeless customs, and reckless, heroic exploits, she must resolutely carve out a part for her life in the face of scandalized tradition and antagonistic male dominance. To grasp her destiny, she must prove herself not just as able, but infinitely more capable than any man alive.
Cast: Lucy Ameh, Ali Nuhu, Yakubu Mohammed, and Clarion Chukwura
1 Comments
Add your own hot takes