Gangs of Lagos, the first African Original for Prime Video, is a high-stakes, gritty, and hard-hitting action crime-thriller with an authentic storyline about a group of friends who must navigate destiny while growing up on the bustling streets and neighbourhood of Isale Eko, Lagos. It features elaborate set pieces, action scenes, and engaging dialogue, balanced out by its high-octane pace and an emotionally grounded story at its core.
The core of the film centres on friendship, family, secrets and betrayal, but adds a uniquely Nigerian twist to a genre that is very popular around the globe. The action-crime story portrays the intense hustle on the streets of Lagos, the desire to thrive, and the need for grit to survive.
Gangs of Lagos is a story that represents the true stories of the people of Isale-Eko, a story of survival, community and the juxtaposition of crime & poverty existing right beside the metropolis of Lagos.
Gangs of Lagos is a project with women at the forefront – Jade Osiberu (Co-Producer, Director and Co-writer), Kemi Lala Akindoju (Co-Producer). Gangs of Lagos merges both Old and New Nollywood, with a target audience that cuts across different generations.
Jadesola Osiberu, Producer & Director
Can you tell us what Gangs of Lagos is about?
This is a story about friendship, family, and destiny. As a culture, we believe in destiny and fate, and there are spiritual themes in the film. Oba’s parents seem to be fighting for his soul. Because he is a male child born in the Isale Eko community, his mother who is a white-garment Christian tries to change the path created for him. His father was an African spiritualist who gained his powers through traditional means and his mother fears he will follow in his father’s footsteps and die young, which is why she struggles to get him out. He meets a gangster called Ninolowo who sends him to school and sells him a dream of a better life outside the community. In reality, however, that same dream leads him back to the path that was originally predicted for him, but he doesn’t know it.
How did you come up with the idea for Gangs of Lagos?
Twelve years ago, while I was shooting a series called Gidi Up in Isale Eko, across the window from where we were, I could see into another building’s window section and the people living there.
Immediately, they became characters in my story. I saw a mother cooking dinner and feeding her children. I thought about what it would feel like to live in Isale Eko, stuck there yet desiring more for yourself and your children. I wanted to humanize people who live lives we don’t understand. It’s a revelatory film. It shows political thuggery. It’s a story about empathy, dreams, and love. I also hope people are entertained.
What were some of the challenges you faced in making this film?
Shooting in Lagos was definitely a challenge. It’s an unpredictable city. You can make several plans but the dynamic nature of the city can throw you off balance (from street harassment because most of the scenes were shot outside) to just being in Nigeria.
How did you bring together the talents for Gangs of Lagos, and do you think they met your expectations?
I had worked with Tobi Bakare on Sugar Rush, and I had always been curious about him in other roles. Sent him an IG DM saying “look I have something for you, it’s quite significant but I’ll get Lala Akindoju to train you but I envision you doing it”. He was excited and said, “let’s do it!” Also with Adesua, I was eager to have her cast in a role far from the pretty girl or the romantic interest. I wanted to see her in something gritty. I had seen Chike in several shows and I wanted him to play his character who’s also a musician. I’m a huge fan of Chioma Chukwuka and I knew I needed her to play a mom. Her scenes were few but I was looking for someone experienced to pull them off because her scenes were heavy. I really wanted older actors in various roles. Ola Rotimi stood out at the auditions and this was amazing because the character he was auditioning for is Kazeem and he has the most unique role. Kazeem’s character progression in the film is one that only a talented actor can pull off, and Ola Rotimi fits the bill immediately. It was actually a very Yoruba role so I wanted a Yoruba actor to play it. I initially offered the role to a different actor but Demi Banwo recommended Ola Rotimi who’s a theatre actor and someone I had never heard of, but at the auditions, he nailed it and I knew I had found Kazeem.
Yes, they did.
What do you hope audiences take away from seeing this film?
That they recognize and empathize with people’s humanity. I also hope people are entertained.
What was the vibe on set like?
On the last day of shooting Gangs Of Lagos, August 18, 2021, Tobi organized the cast and crew. They surprised me by running towards me in the middle of the night. I ran for safety because I thought they were zombies. It was my birthday. We laughed about it and they gave a speech. That’s the vibe the cast and crew had.