Nevertheless, during a virtual program organized by Professor Falola, I listened to Kunle Afolayan. When called upon to speak, I corrected him on his statement to the media that “professors in the US were fighting over the movie,” clarifying that my concerns were centered around historical accuracy, and that I cared little for other interests. At that meeting, he could not answer any of the three questions I asked.
Following this encounter, I decided to write a brief guide on reviewing epic movies. My intention is simple: to provide actors, actresses, producers, and reviewers with the necessary tools commonly used in academia, where epic movies—or movies in general—are employed for instruction.
Since the release of Lisabi, many have asked me to review the movie. I have not done so because it is not yet available on Netflix USA, and the various posts and comments I have read so far—purporting to be reviews—have not done the movie justice. Therefore, I found no reason to invest in a VPN to change my system location just to watch the movie.
Given the multitude of posts and comments that claim to be movie reviews, I believe writing a guide for movie reviewers is in order, as none of what many refer to as “reviews” merits that label. To be honest, they are merely opinions, which, even with the best intentions, are unhelpful to those in the industry. Below, I have put together a brief guide on how to professionally review Nollywood movies.
REVIEWING NOLLYWOOD EPIC MOVIE: A BRIEF GUIDE
Nollywood, Nigeria’s booming film industry, is known for its diverse genres, one of the most prominent being epic movies—stories often set in historical or mythological times, showcasing cultural heritage, traditional values, and iconic figures. Reviewing Nollywood epic films requires a unique lens to capture the richness of its storytelling, cultural significance, and production style. This guide provides a framework to help you review epic Nollywood movies comprehensively.
1. Understanding the Genre
Epic films in Nollywood often delve into:
Historical Events: Films that depict famous historical battles, monarchies, or ancient civilizations, e.g., the Benin Kingdom or the Oyo Empire.
Mythology and Folklore: Movies based on Yoruba, Igbo, or Hausa myths, legends, or deities like Sango, Ogun, or Ala.
Cultural Traditions: Stories deeply rooted in customs, rituals, and the societal structure of pre-colonial or early Nigerian societies.
Understanding these aspects is key when reviewing to appropriately evaluate the narrative within its cultural and historical context.
2. Plot and Storyline
Evaluate how well the story is constructed:
Originality: Is the story a fresh take on traditional folklore or historical events, or does it recycle well-known plots?
Cohesion and Pacing: Does the storyline progress naturally, or does it feel disjointed? Epic films often span multiple events over time—how does the film handle this?
Emotional Impact: Does the film evoke the grandeur of its epic subject matter? Is the viewer drawn into the characters’ struggles, triumphs, and tragedies?
A good example is the film Igodo, which mixes myth and history, providing a gripping narrative of sacrifice and survival.
3. Character Development and Performances
In epic films, characters are often larger than life, whether kings, warriors, or deities:
Character Arcs: How are the main characters developed? Do they evolve with the narrative, or remain flat?
Actor Performances: Are the performances believable and impactful? In epics, actors often have to portray great emotional depth or power.
Representation of Historical or Mythical Figures: Are historical figures depicted with nuance, or do they fall into stereotypes?
Look for performances that make these grand characters relatable and human, even amidst the epic scale of the story.
4. Cultural Authenticity
Epic Nollywood films are often rich in cultural symbolism:
Accurate Depiction of Traditions and Practices: Does the film stay true to the cultural practices, attire, and language of the people it portrays? For example, if the movie is set in the Yoruba Empire, are the rituals and costumes authentic to that period?
Use of Language: Are traditional languages used effectively? Subtitles should be accurate to help non-speakers follow the story.
Respect for Cultural Narratives: Does the movie show respect for the cultures it portrays, or does it dilute traditional values for modern appeal?
5. Costume and Set Design
One of the most visually striking aspects of epic Nollywood films is their attention to detail in:
Costume Design: Are the costumes historically accurate, vibrant, and representative of the time period or culture? Films like Afonja or King of Boys have paid particular attention to attire. The same cannot be said of Anikulapo where many of the facial marks were wrong.
Set Design: Does the set accurately represent the era or location in which the film is set? Review the architecture, landscape, and props.
Special Effects: Nollywood epics often feature mythical or supernatural elements. Evaluate the effectiveness and believability of the visual effects, especially when depicting gods or magic.
6. Cinematography and Visual Appeal
Epic movies require grandeur in their visual storytelling:
Cinematography: Are the landscapes, battle scenes, or traditional ceremonies captured with visual splendor? Does the camera work emphasize the epic nature of the story?
Lighting and Color Palette: How does the film use lighting to convey different moods or time periods? Is there consistency in the visual tone?
For example, Anikulapo used breathtaking cinematography to bring its epic narrative to life. It is this breathtaking cinematography that hides the flaws in Anikulapo that I revealed in my brief review of the movie.
7. Soundtrack and Sound Effects
Music plays a crucial role in epic films, setting the emotional tone:
Soundtrack: Does the music reflect the cultural background and the epic scope of the movie? Traditional instruments and rhythms often enhance authenticity.
Sound Effects: Are they well-timed and realistic, especially in battle scenes or supernatural events? Ensure that they complement the film rather than distract from it. Sadly, not many Nollywood movies do well here.
8. Themes and Moral Lessons
Epic Nollywood films often carry deep moral and philosophical messages:
Core Themes: Are the central themes (e.g., loyalty, sacrifice, destiny, power) clearly articulated and relevant to the narrative?
Societal Reflection: Does the movie offer commentary on contemporary issues through its historical or mythological narrative?
Cultural Identity: How does the film contribute to preserving or promoting Nigerian and African cultural identity? I raised serious objections to cultural representations in Anikulapo, Bashorun Gaa, Ayinla, etc. In this area, many Nollywood movies are complete failures.
9. Directing and Production Quality
Direction: Does the director maintain a cohesive vision throughout the film? Are scenes well-executed, with attention to pacing and continuity?
Production Quality: How does the film hold up in terms of budget constraints typical of Nollywood? Are the limitations handled effectively without compromising the film’s epic nature?
10. Overall Impact
Finally, assess the film as a whole:
Entertainment Value: Is the movie engaging and worth watching for its entertainment alone?
Cultural and Artistic Contribution: Does the film add value to Nollywood’s representation of epic storytelling?
Comparative Analysis: How does the film compare with other Nollywood epic movies? Does it set new standards or fall short?
Conclusion
Reviewing epic Nollywood films requires a balance of cultural sensitivity, attention to detail, and appreciation for both storytelling and production craftsmanship. The beauty of Nollywood’s epic movies lies in their ability to blend entertainment with cultural heritage, and your review should reflect that balance while guiding audiences on the strengths and potential shortcomings of the film. Whether focusing on plot, character, or technical execution, always consider the broader cultural impact the film aims to achieve within the Nollywood industry and beyond.
Like I asked Kunle Afolayan during the virtual meeting mentioned above, no one wants to name her infant daughter ‘Efunsetan’ because of the damage done to the name by Nigerian movie makers. Overall impact, cultural authenticity, and historical honesty, etc. are crucial in epic production. Movie makers cannot trifle with these qualities in the name of dramatic license.
I hope you find the above useful.
Credit:
Dr Bukola Oyeniyi
Professor of History at the Missouri State University