Afolayan’s New Hillarious Flick, ‘Omugwo’ Hits Cinemas Friday

FUNSHO AROGUNDADE

Omugwo, one of the three Africa Magic-commissioned films, by popular filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, will open at Cinemas across Nigeria on Friday, 7 April.

This is coming after a private screening of the new comedy film on Wednesday at the Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Speaking shortly before the screening of the movie, Afolayan noted that Omugwo is a small-budget television drama commissioned by the Africa Magic in partnership with his company, Golden Effects Productions.

According to him, he is particularly excited about the film because it is a slight departure from his usual style of story-telling, going by its comic nature.

“It’s a comedy. Because people perceive most of my works as being serious, so I had this watered down,” he said.

Omugwo features seasoned actress Patience Ozokwor as well as Ayo Adesanya, Omowunmi Dada, Christian Paul, Ken Erics and Henry ‘Old Skool’ Alade.

Written by Kemi Adesoye, Omugwo tells the story of Omotunde, a young civil engineer, married to Raymond, an OAP who have just had a baby.

Coloured by their different cultural backgrounds, their mothers-in-law forcefully move in with the couple to perform the Igbo childcare rite called Omugwo. But instead of relieving their children of the burden of childcare, the mothers’ rivalry complicates life for the young couple to comical effects.

In the highly inspiring film, Afolayan marries a serious subject matter of motherhood with lots of hilarious moments.

The movie portrays two characteristics of motherhood and gives kudos to the African tradition, while on the other hand, it attempts to prefer solution to some of the challenges  faced by young couples especially after the arrival of their first child.

Ozokwor is much at home in the role of a grandmother who is trying to dominate in her son’s house. But, as good as Adesanya is, she is already at a slight disadvantage.

Afolayan’s decision to cast these two generations of talented actresses, according to some movie buffs who already saw the film, said is an interesting experiment which will pays off.

The duo repleted their scenes in the movie with catchy phrases that will follow viewers home and help the impact of the story to linger on.

Speaking on her role, Adesanya said she was stunned how she manage to carry out the role to the delight of guests at the private screening and official premiere.

“It is surprising to see how I carried out the character. It was interesting while on the set and being my first time with Patience Ozokwor, it was a really delightful time. It was a challenging role but I’m happy Kunle Afolayan gave me the opportunity to play the character and I’m glad the audience like it,” she said.

Omugwo is shot in Lagos with beautiful skyline of the city in full colour; all thanks to the National Film Institute, Jos graduate Ifeanyi Iloduba who exhibited his creative expertise as the film’s Director of Photography with quality shot that added to the aesthetic of the movie.

Asides Omugwo, Afolayan still have two other films already shot as part of the three movie projects which Africa Magic/Multichoice commissioned him to shoot in 2017.

Others are Roti and Tribunal and they will be unveil later in the years.