Tons of controversies have followed the release of Jade Osiberu’s ‘Gangs of Lagos’ under Greoh Studios for streaming platform Prime Video as an original.
The two-hour-four minutes long feature has been the subject of discourse amongst film practitioners, audience, and the custodian of the Eyo traditional conclave and fraternity.
Social media platforms have been awash with varied opinions and thoughts over the use of the Eyo Adamu Orisha play in the film and the portrayal of the Lagos traditional masquerade as a gang.
The controversy ensued after the custodian of the Eyo Adamu Orish festival, Chief Adebola Dosunmu, Akinshiku of Lagos condemned the misrepresentation of the revered cultural symbol and tradition in strong terms.
The Akinshiku of Lagos stressed that the Eyo Adamu Orisha has never engaged in any act of gangsterism, hooliganism, thuggery or as political tools since the festival began in 1854.
The Eyo custodian further appealed to Lagosians and audience of the film to disregard the mischievous impression and misrepresentation of the Eyo created by the film’s narration and as portrayed by the characters.
Speaking on the film, Kabat Esosa Egbon, a prominent Nigerian writer and filmmaker from Benin, Edo state, explained that it is pertinent for filmmakers to liaise with culture and traditional custodians when filming to avoid misrepresentation of the culture and tradition.
He said, “I am a cultural archivist through films and I always know the problems I go through making my Benin Historicals. It’s tough. An example was what happened to Don Pedro Obaseki when he first wrote his play, ‘Obaseki’. The end part of that play that you see in the book today is not the original end which Don Pedro had for it. The Palace frowned at the original end and he had to remove it for the alternate end which the play has today. Such is the juggling act one has to play as a creative, skirting around traditional and cultural stories.”
Continuing, Kabat said, “I think with my people (Benin) it’s even more complicated. As a filmmaker or director, once you begin to do things the cast think is ‘injurious’ to the tradition or culture, they will gently begin to leave your set and won’t continue with shoot. It’s crazy being a filmmaker at times. For some of my Benin productions, at times, my costumier has to go to the palace to find out certain key things in terms of costumes. I also cast some Benin titled Chiefs, who are Thespians in my movies as well. They also help guide one in case of certain things that concerns tradition we are not aware of, when filming. It’s a tight balancing act, though.”
However, Sola Fajobi, a veteran content producer with several films and television shows and series in his kitty, sees it from another perspective.
He says, “Please permit me to hold a contrary view on this discourse as a filmmaker. My thoughts are mine and I do not see Eyo as only a Lagos heritage but as a Nigerian and African Heritage too. So, I am not aligned to it being a desecration of Lagos heritage.”
Speaking further, Fajobi said, “My take is that those criticising are just promoting the film more.
She (Jade Osiberu) has the creative licence to use Eyo as a cultural prop in her film. So churches should stop every film that portrays a thieving pastor or an adulterous pastor or Muslims should stop every film that portrays an imam and his mosque as a terrorism cell?
“We have all watched several films on the Pope and Papacy. The Vatican City and Rome might go against a few by responding with the facts. This has not stopped millions of tourists from visiting the Vatican city. Instead it has increased the revenue from tourism.
“Gangs of Lagos will only get popular. There is nothing they can do other than to educate the Gen Z about ‘The Positives of Eyo” through documentaries and if they like, they can commission another film to project Eyo. It’s adding more to the value chain. Now it’s time to be deliberate in promoting our heritages. Now the custodians of the heritage might put more resources in promoting it positively through films, dramas and other arts touchpoints. It’s expanding the scope and good news for the creative arts. I have seen the film and the two scenes where Eyo was used. It’s no big deal. Creatives and filmmakers cannot be intimidated from telling their stories in their own way. It’s a work of fiction.”
In the same vein, Vector that Viper, a rap act and actor lend his voice saying the Eyo Adamu Orisha play is not a criminal organisation.
In his submission, the rapper narrated his experience lying on Lagos Island and witnessing the Eyo festival saying, “..All I have seen during the Eyo festival every time they are out is, they stop by ours and pray, wishing prosperity for my family.”
Continuing, he said, “Most of our friends like the Olugbanis, who are direct Eyo Ologede gatekeepers, are not gun shooting criminals using culture as a disguise. My idea of what the Bajulaiye (Eyo) is is totally different from murderous criminality. Going by what the term gang means, it is disrespectful to define the Eyo in the same light. In light of what I have experienced about Eyo, I wish prosperity to the hands that have laboured although the movie would still be good without referring to Eyo as a (criminal) “gang” in Lagos. There is a reason they say “mo yo fun e, mo yo fun araa mi,” which in English language means rejoicing with you, is rejoicing with myself.”
The controversy continues as the film continues to top film charts in various countries as most watched since its release on April 7.
