Gangs of Lagos
| Gangs of Lagos | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Jade Osiberu |
| Written by |
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| Produced by | |
| Starring |
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| Edited by |
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| Music by | Tolu Obanro[1] |
Production company | Greoh Studios |
| Distributed by | Amazon Prime Video |
Release date |
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Running time | 124 Minutes |
| Country | Nigeria |
Gangs of Lagos is a Nigerian gangster action thriller film produced and directed by Jade Osiberu, starring Tobi Bakre, Adesua Etomi, Iyabo Ojo, Demi Banwo, Chioma Akpotha, Damilola Ogunsi, Tayo Faniran, Zlatan Ibile, Bimbo Ademoye, Toyin Abraham, Yvonne Jegede, Yinka Quadri, Chike, Pasuma, Idowu Adeyemi and a host of others.[2] The film premiered on Amazon Prime Video on April 7, 2023, as the first Amazon Original Movie from Africa.[3][4]
Synopsis
[edit]Gangs of Lagos is about a group of friends whose lives have revolved around crime and violence since their childhood in the Isale Eko area of Lagos, Nigeria. A young boy, Obalola, robs a bag from a woman in traffic with his friend, an act which results in a summon from the king of the streets, known as "Eleniyan" or "Owner of Men", who lauds his confidence and ability. Amazed by his intellect and courage, a gang leader named 'Nino' (played by Tayo Faniran) shows interest and immediately becomes a father figure to him. Nino, though, wants him to go to school and become something great in life.
Unfortunately, Nino is later found dead, and the dreams he had for Obalola (Tobi Bakre) and his friends Ify (Chike) and Gift (Adesua Etomi) have died with him, as the trio begins to work for his partner Kazeem (Olarotimi Fakunle), a greedy and ruthless leader.
As adults, they continue to play different roles in the gang, until things go sideways when Kazeem murders a rival gang member and pins it on Ify, which results in his gruesome murder. With Ify's surviving friends hellbent on revenge, Obalola discovers several skeletons in Kazeem's closet. Determined to avenge all the loved ones that Kazeem's greed has taken from him, Oba leads a bloody gang war to seek revenge on Kazeem.[5]
Selected cast
[edit]- Tobi Bakre as Obalola
- Adesua Etomi as Gift
- Iyabo Ojo as Mama Obalola
- Chike as Ify
- Olarotimi Fakunle as Kazeem
- Tayo Faniran as Nino
- Toyin Abraham as Bamidele
- Idowu Adeyemi (Yhemolee) as Muri Toronto
- Chioma Akpotha as Mama Ify
- Zlatan Ibile as Kash
- Maleek Sanni as Young Obalola
- Pasuma as London
- Mr Macaroni as Wemimo
- Funke Williams as Blessing
- Bimbo Ademoye as Teni
Production and release
[edit]Gangs of Lagos, a film written by Kay I. Jegede and Jadesola Osiberu, and produced by Jadesola Osiberu and Kemi Lala Akindoju has marked the start of a three-year partnership with Amazon Prime Video and Jade Osiberu's production company.[6] Amazon Prime Video has established its interest in delivering local and authentic African films and series to the global community and this has given rise to its partnership with Jade Osiberu.[2][4]
Reception
[edit]Box office
Gangs of Lagos earned a total of ₦230 million in Nigeria. Within the first 20 days of its release in 2023, the film garnered 15,000 views, showcasing its popularity and strong reception.[7]
Critical response
Gangs of Lagos received widespread critical acclaim. The cast was lauded, especially Tobi Bakre, Chike, and Adesua Etomi. The film holds an 82% approval rating on the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 10 reviews with an average rating of 4/5.[8] Seyi Lasisi of the Afrocritik gave the film 3/5 stars and said: "Gangs of Lagos, like Brotherhood, isn’t fiction. It is a cinematic exploration of our lives as Nigerians. It spotlights the damage Nigerian societies and Nigerians are compelled to witness when the government is apathetic to developing and solving social issues".[9]
Shola-Adido Oladotun from Premium Times praised Gangs of Lagos, noting that "the Cinematography is top-tier, with various elements making each scene visually appealing and fitting for its genre." He also highlighted the ambitious choice of locations, stating, "It is remarkable that the movie was filmed in real-life places within Isale Eko." However, Oladotun expressed that the film might have worked better as a TV series, as it would have allowed for deeper character development, not only for Obalola and Gift but also for characters like Kazeem. He rated the film 8/10 stars.[10]
Controversy
[edit]The film's depiction and characterization of the Eyo masquerades, an important aspect of Lagos culture, proved to be controversial. Many respondents on social media felt that the filmmakers had shown disrespect for the traditional institution that the masquerades are part of.[11][12] One group of Lagosians threatened a lawsuit in response,[13] and another followed through and took the matter to court.[14]
Amongst those who also condemned the film on these grounds were the Lagos State government,[15] the Kosoko royal family of Lagos,[16] Chief Adebola Dosunmu of the Dosunmu royal family,[17] and Nollywood veteran Prince Jide Kosoko acting in a private capacity.[18] The National Film and Video Censors Board, Nigeria's censor, also weighed in on the matter; its head explained that it was not empowered to regulate films and television shows shown on streaming platforms, though a legal amendment to give it that power was currently being considered by the National Assembly.[19]
Response from Lagos State Govt.
In April 2023, the Lagos State Government criticized the film Gangs of Lagos, calling it a disrespectful portrayal of the state's heritage. In a statement shared via its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the government condemned the production, describing it as "unprofessional and misleading." The government expressed concern that the film depicted Lagos culture in a derogatory manner. The Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, further stated that, as the regulatory authority and custodian of the state’s cultural heritage, the ministry viewed the film as a mockery of Lagos' rich history and traditions.[20]
“We are of the opinion that the production of the film ‘The Gang of Lagos’ is very unprofessional and misleading while its content is derogatory of our culture, with the intention to desecrate the revered heritage of the people of Lagos.
It is an unjust profiling of a people and culture as being barbaric and nefarious. It depicts a gang of murderers rampaging across the State.
The Adamu Orisha, popularly known as the Eyo Festival, is rarely observed and only comes up as a traditional rite of passage for Obas, revered Chiefs and eminent Lagosians.”
Response from the Oba Of Lagos
[edit]The Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Aremu Akiolu, condemned the film Gangs of Lagos, calling it defamatory and sacrilegious for portraying the Eyo as violent criminal gangs responsible for gruesome murders and terrorizing innocent citizens. In response, the monarch has demanded that Amazon Web Services, Greoh Studios, and the film’s producers immediately cease using the image, attire, and representation of the Eyo in the movie and remove all related depictions from Gangs of Lagos.[21][22]
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | African Movie Academy Awards | Best Actress in a Leading Role - Adesua Etomi-Wellington | Won | |
| Best Young/Promising Actor - Maleek Sanni | Won | |||
| Best Visual Effects - Emmanuel Bassey | Won | |||
| Best Make-Up - Omowunmi Okungbure | Nominated | |||
| Best Nigerian Film - Gang Of Lagos | Nominated | |||
| 2023 | National Film and Video Censors Board Award | Best Nigerian Film - Gang Of Lagos | Nominated |
References
[edit]- ^ Gambari, Luqman. "Tolu Obanro: Crafting Cinematic Soundscapes for Nigerian Blockbusters". Leadership. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ a b BellaNaija.com (2023-03-20). "Jade Osiberu's "Gangs of Lagos" is Prime Video's First African Original Movie & it Premieres April 7th". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
- ^ "Prime Video's Gangs of Lagos for launch on April 7". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2023-03-21. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
- ^ a b Vourlias, Christopher (2023-04-07). "'Nigerians Want It All': Inside the Glitzy Premiere of Prime Video's First African Original, Crime Thriller 'Gangs of Lagos'". Variety. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
- ^ Oladotun, Shola-Adido (2023-04-08). "MOVIE REVIEW: Gangs of Lagos: Finally, a crime thriller that captures Isale Eko's reality". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
- ^ "Prime Video's Gangs Of Lagos premieres, set to revolutionise filmmaking". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2023-04-06. Archived from the original on 2023-04-08. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
- ^ Nosa, Oke-Hortons (2023-12-27). "Funke Akindele loses, Femi Adebayo rises: Top 6 highest-grossing movies of 2023". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2024-10-07.
- ^ "Gangs of Lagos - Movie Reviews | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 2024-10-07.
- ^ ""Gangs of Lagos" Review: In Jade Osiberu's Crime Thriller, Pre-Electoral Manipulation, Defeated Dreams, and Friendship Take Center Stage - Afrocritik". 2023-04-10. Retrieved 2024-10-07.
- ^ "MOVIE REVIEW: Gangs of Lagos: Finally, a crime thriller that captures Isale Eko's reality". www.premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 2024-10-07.
- ^ "Controversy trails depiction of Eyo in "Gangs of Lagos"". punching.com. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ ""Gangs of Lagos": Controversies trail portrayal of Eyo masquerade". newtelegraphng.com. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ "Lagos indigenes threaten lawsuit over Eyo masquerades portrayal in new movie". dailytrust.com. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ "Court approves N 10 billion fine application against "Gangs of Lagos" producers". barristerng.com. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ ""Gangs of Lagos": Isale-Eko union, Lagos govt. condemn portrayal of Eyo masquerade". preniumtimesng.com. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ ""Gangs of Lagos": Controversies mount over portrayal of Eyo". newtelegraphng.com. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ ""Gangs of Lagos": "If anything happens to you, carry your cross" - Lagos chief warns against the portrayal of Eyo". guardian.ng. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ """Gangs of Lagos" desecrates people's culture" - Jide Kosoko, royal families". theculturenewspaper.com. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ "Insensitive portrayal". thenationonlineng.net. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ AfricaNews (2023-04-14). "Lagos Govt slams 'Gangs of Lagos' film as a disrespectful attack on our heritage". Africanews. Retrieved 2024-10-07.
- ^ Ogundepo, Janet (2023-07-08). "Remove Eyo from Gangs of Lagos, Oba of Lagos tells producers". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2024-10-07.
- ^ AriseNews (2023-07-09). "Gangs of Lagos Movie Sacrilegious to Our Cultural Heritage Rights, Oba of Lagos Alleges". Arise News. Retrieved 2024-10-07.