Barely a week after its release, Mokalik, the latest film from Nollywood actor and producer, Kunle Afolayan, has been selling out, making it the number one movie to watch.
It was an excited Afolayan that shared the news at the weekend.
“Mokalik has been ranked number 4 at the box office and number 1 Nollywood film in box office,” he said.
“Also it holds the record of 2019 highest selling Nollywood film in opening week.
For the achievement, Afolayan who has also produced movies like October 1, Irapada and CEO, thanked his fans for making the feat possible.
“All thanks to you, my fans and friends out there, let’s keep it going, spread the word and take your friends and family to watch MOKALIK at any of the Cinemas near you,” he said.
A palpable cinematic delight rent the air, as guests react between giggle, laughter and outright applause, during the private press screening of Kunle Afolayan’s anticipated movie, ‘Mokalik’ (Mechanic), which held on Tuesday, March 19, 2019, at the Filmhouse theatre, Twin-Waters, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Shot on Canon EOS C300 Mark II, with a range of Canon Cine lenses, it was obvious that guests were enthralled by, how crispy picture quality meets a director’s interpretation of an intriguing story of love and ambition situates life’s happenstances in a typical Nigerian mechanic workshop.
Supported by Canon Central and North Africa, leader in imaging solutions, ‘Mokalik’, the latest effort from Afolayan’s Golden Effects Pictures stars awards-winning singer, Simi, alongside other prominent actors like Femi Adebayo, Charles Okocha, Faithia Williams, Lateef Oladimeji, and comic actors like Wale Akorede (Okunu), Ayo Ogunshina (Papa Lolo) and Dayo Akinpelu (Alabi Yellow).
The celebrated director’s ensemble of this sterling cast gives strength to the movie which, in the words of some guests at the screening foretells commercial and artistic success.
‘Mokalik’ follows the career of an 11-year-old boy, Jaiye, from the middle-class suburbs who spends the day as a lowly apprentice at a mechanic workshop in order to view life from the other side of the tracks… When his father arrives to take him home, Jaiye has to make up his mind if he wants to return to school… or take on his apprenticeship full time.
The private press screening which had Canon showcasing the full range of Professional Canon cameras and lenses such as the CN-E14mm, CN-E24mm, CN-E35mm, CN-E50mm, CN-E85mm and CN-E135mm among others was graced by exclusive guests from the media, the Nigerian film industry, and cast and crew of the movie.
Speaking at the screening, Kunle Afolayan said, “MOKALIK is an ambitious film project that tells a story which is unique and relevant to our society. It beautifully highlights diversity while distinctively addressing the issues around choice. Creating this movie has been an amazing experience and Canon made the experience even better with their support. The Canon EOS C300 Mark II – Stunning 4K quality and versatility allowed me as a producer to experience creative vision in stunning cinematic details and provides footage suitable for extensive post-production work. The EOS C300 Mark II with canon cine lenses range also helped the team to technically get one step ahead and create a world-class movie which promises to break boundaries.
According to Amine Djouahra, Senior Sales & Marketing Manager – B2C, Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA), the technical brilliance witnessed in ‘Mokalik’ is a testament to Canon’s pioneering vision in the realm of serious cinema production.
He said: “At Canon, we are constantly seeking to connect with the filmmaking community, especially Nollywood as it allows us to become a part of one of the largest film industries globally. The technical brilliance witnessed in this movie, is testament to Canon’s pioneering vision in the realm of serious cinema production, we are glad to be a part of this bold new technology that helps to make amazing projects like the MOKALIK possible,” adding that “at Canon we continue to listen to our customers when developing the product range to ensure our innovations meet their needs, and enabling story tellers for creative filmmaking.
The EOS C300 Mark II Digital Cinema Camera is an evolutionary 2nd generation Cinema EOS 4K camera system with a wide range of new and improved features including 4K/2K/Full HD internal and external recording and a new 10-bit Canon Log 2 Gamma – Focused to help deliver more creative flexibility for professional studio, motion picture production applications, as well as independent productions, TV dramas, commercials, news features, sports and more.
Guests at the event also witnessed the launch of the first ever video competition for cinematographers in Nigeria under the Campaign #MYNAIJAMYCANON. The competition is part of Canon’s efforts in enabling and inspiring cinematography talent in Africa.
A palpable cinematic delight rent the air, as guests react between giggle, laughter and outright applause, during the private press screening of Kunle Afolayan’s anticipated movie, ‘Mokalik’ (Mechanic), which held on Tuesday, March 19, 2019, at the Filmhouse theatre, Twin-Waters, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Shot on Canon EOS C300 Mark II, with a range of Canon Cine lenses, it was obvious that guests were enthralled by, how crispy picture quality meets a director’s interpretation of an intriguing story of love and ambition situates life’s happenstances in a typical Nigerian mechanic workshop.
Supported by Canon Central and North Africa, leader in imaging solutions, ‘Mokalik’, the latest effort from Afolayan’s Golden Effects Pictures stars awards-winning singer, Simi, alongside other prominent actors like Femi Adebayo, Charles Okocha, Faithia Williams, Lateef Oladimeji, and comic actors like Wale Akorede (Okunu), Ayo Ogunshina (Papa Lolo) and Dayo Akinpelu (Alabi Yellow).
The celebrated director’s ensemble of this sterling cast gives strength to the movie which, in the words of some guests at the screening foretells commercial and artistic success.
‘Mokalik’ follows the career of an 11-year-old boy, Ponmile, from the middle-class suburbs who spends the day as a lowly apprentice at a mechanic workshop in order to view life from the other side of the tracks… When his father arrives to take him home, Ponmile has to make up his mind if he wants to return to school… or take on his apprenticeship full time.
The private press screening which had Canon showcasing the full range of Professional Canon cameras and lenses such as the CN-E14mm, CN-E24mm, CN-E35mm, CN-E50mm, CN-E85mm and CN-E135mm among others was graced by exclusive guests from the media, the Nigerian film industry, and cast and crew of the movie.
Speaking at the screening, Kunle Afolayan said, “MOKALIK is an ambitious film project that tells a story which is unique and relevant to our society. It beautifully highlights diversity while distinctively addressing the issues around choice. Creating this movie has been an amazing experience and Canon made the experience even better with their support. The Canon EOS C300 Mark II – Stunning 4K quality and versatility allowed me as a producer to experience creative vision in stunning cinematic details and provides footage suitable for extensive post-production work. The EOS C300 Mark II with canon cine lenses range also helped the team to technically get one step ahead and create a world-class movie which promises to break boundaries.
According to Amine Djouahra, Senior Sales & Marketing Manager – B2C, Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA), the technical brilliance witnessed in ‘Mokalik’ is a testament to Canon’s pioneering vision in the realm of serious cinema production.
He said: “At Canon, we are constantly seeking to connect with the filmmaking community, especially Nollywood as it allows us to become a part of one of the largest film industries globally. The technical brilliance witnessed in this movie, is testament to Canon’s pioneering vision in the realm of serious cinema production, we are glad to be a part of this bold new technology that helps to make amazing projects like the MOKALIK possible,” adding that “at Canon we continue to listen to our customers when developing the product range to ensure our innovations meet their needs, and enabling story tellers for creative filmmaking.
The EOS C300 Mark II Digital Cinema Camera is an evolutionary 2nd generation Cinema EOS 4K camera system with a wide range of new and improved features including 4K/2K/Full HD internal and external recording and a new 10-bit Canon Log 2 Gamma – Focused to help deliver more creative flexibility for professional studio, motion picture production applications, as well as independent productions, TV dramas, commercials, news features, sports and more.
Guests at the event also witnessed the launch of the first ever video competition for cinematographers in Nigeria under the Campaign #MYNAIJAMYCANON. The competition is part of Canon’s efforts in enabling and inspiring cinematography talent in Africa.
…Reveals pact with Canon, Netflix, Canal+, Air France, Pavilion Afriques…
Prolific filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan has unveiled trailers for his most anticipated movie, ‘Mokalik’ (Mechanic).
The two trailers which dropped on February 1, 2019 by 2pm, were accompanied with three posters, setting the pace for another round of media buzz for his latest effort.
“Mokalik’ stars awards-winning singer, Simi, alongside other prominent actors like Femi Adebayo, Charles Okocha, Faithia Williams, Lateef Oladimeji, and comic actors like Wale Akorede (Okunu), Ayo Ogunshina (Papa Lolo) and Dayo Akinpelu (Alabi Yellow).
Mokalik movie trailer :
.Extended version:
The celebrated director is optimistic that the film will traverse commercial and artistic ends, having been provoked by the expectations of his diverse audience and fan-base across the world.
Afolayan who just returned from a meeting of his company, Golden Effects Pictures with Netflix in Amsterdam, Netherlands, disclosed that he is in talks with the world leading online streaming platform for the acquisition of ‘Mokalik’.
According to him, the deal with Netflix will include other works directed by him, including ‘The Figurine- Araromire’; ‘Irapada’; ‘Phone Swap’; ‘October 1’; ‘The CEO’, ‘The Bridge’ and the yet to released ‘Tenants of the House’.
“We are excited about having our other films, including ‘Mokalik’ on Netflix, as that will assuage our fans who have been sending messages from all over the world, complaining of not having access to our films,” he said.
For ‘Mokalik’ which was shot on EOS C300 Mark II, with Canon Cine lenses, the filmmaker says: “We are very delighted and grateful for the camera support extended to us by Canon Central and North Africa team here in Nigeria,” adding that, “EOS C300 Mark II – Stunning 4K quality and versatility allowed me as a producer to experience the creative vision in stunning cinematic details and provides footages, suitable for extensive post-production work.”
Senior Sales & Marketing Manager – B2C, Canon Central & North Africa, Mr. Amine Djouahra, expressed delight over the partnership, saying: “We are very proud to be part of this esteemed mainstream commercial and artistic movie, ‘Mokalik’, produced in Nigeria , one of the largest growing film industries in the world, and at Canon, we continue to listen to our customers when developing the product range to ensure our innovations meet their needs, enabling story tellers for creative filmmaking.”
Djouahra disclosed that Canon is looking at having a media screening of ‘Mokalik’ in Nigerai between March 19-21, 2019.
As part of the world slating for ‘Mokalik’, Afolayan, an Air France partner plans to have the film on several platforms including the French premium television channel, Canal+, which he said has showed interest in ‘Mokalik’ and ‘Odu’ (Capsule of Tales), a TV series in the works.
As Pavillon Afriques at the Marche du Film, Cannes Film Festival 2019, makes debut this May, Afolayan, on Thursday, was named Ambassador of the pavilion, and will be joining the showcase by other filmmakers from the continent by curating a Kunle Afolayan/Golden Effects Pictures retrospect. This is in addition to plans to get ‘Mokalik’ listed in the official selection of Cannes, among other major film festivals around the world.
A letter sent to the filmmaker reveals that Afolayan, having been listed as Ambassador on Pavillon Afriques – VIP page, is expected to wear a special ambassador’s tag during the event and function as a panelist on content sourcing, distribution and storytelling sessions among other roles.
Happy about the feats attained by the filmmaker, Commercial Director of Air France/KLM, Mr. Remco Bohre said: “Our partnership with Kunle Afolayan is another way of showing how excited we are, at Air France and KLM, about Nollywood and the Nigerian entertainment industry at large.”
‘Mokalik’ follows the career of an 11-year-old boy, Jaiye, from the middle-class suburbs who spends the day as a lowly apprentice at a mechanic workshop in order to view life from the other side of the tracks… When his father arrives to take him home, Jaiye has to make up his mind if he wants to return to school… or take on his apprenticeship full time.
‘Jamb Questiom’ crooner, Simisola Ogunleye, aka Simi, has accepted a role in Kunle Afolayan’s coming film, ‘Mokalik’ (Mechanic).
The agreement was formalised on Sunday, at the filmmaker’s office, in Lagos.
Beaming with smiles, it is obvious that the sonorous singer, who returned with a ‘Yes’ to Afolayan’s Golden Effects’ office after a week of studying the script, cannot wait to make her debut on the big screen.
Taking to Instagram minutes later, she shared a voiceless video of herself seated beside Afolayan and flaunting the movie script, with the caption: “@kunleafo and a girl with a script she likes very much.”
‘Mokalik’ (Mechanic) follows the career of an 11-year-old boy, Jaiye, from the middle-class suburbs who spends the day as a lowly apprentice at a mechanic workshop in order to view life from the other side of the tracks.
From the moment a melancholic Jaiye is dropped off at the mechanic workshop by his father, Ogidan, it is obvious he doesn’t want to be there. Jaiye stands out like a sore thumb in the workshop as he commences his apprenticeship under various mechanics. Along the way, he meets other apprentices, some of who take a liking to him, others of who take a disliking to him.
As preparations to start shooting on Tuesday August 29, 2018 reach top gear, the cast are expected to converge at the director’s office on August 28, 2018 for script readings.
Afolayan says ‘Mokalik’ is a slight departure from the flicks he had shot in the past, adding that there will be two versions of the film; one for the Nigerian market – the other for the international market.
Screen-played by Tunde Babalola, inspiration for the story, according to the filmmaker came during his constant visit to the mechanic workshop where he refurbished his much publicised Vintage car (Thunderbird Ford 1965) recently, while the film title, a Yoruba corrupt pronunciation of mechanic is from a scene in one of his late father (Ade Love)’s classic, ‘Taxi Driver’.
“Visiting the mechanic workshop after about 15 years opened my eyes to a lot of things that I believe the world should know about our local auto car repairs industry,” he said.
Simi will be playing Simi; daughter of a Buka (cafeteria)owner whose character holds a significant part in the movie plot.
In the all-Yoruba cast movie, Simi will be acting alongside notable actors like Femi Adebayo, Ayo Adesanya, Faithia Williams, Lateef Oladimeji and comic actors like Wale Akorede (Okunu), Ayo Ogunshina (Papa Lolo) and Dayo Akinpelu (Alabi Yellow).
The single-location shoot, according to the awards-winning film director will tell the story of the protagonist in a space of 12 hours, detailing some of the intriguing occurrences in a typical mechanic workshop.
AFTER what seems like a brief hiatus from commercial filmmaking, filmmaker Kunle Afolayan is about dusting his cameras again. This is contrary to recent declaration by the entertainer that he was giving personal film production a break, while decrying how difficult it is, recouping investment in the motion picture business.
But coming off that boast, one can understand how difficult it is to shun a burning passion for long. “This one is not a huge budget movie,” he declared, talking about ‘Mokalik’ (Mechanic); a film which targets film festivals, and who knows – some international awards.
As usual, he would quickly contact his writer, Tunde Babalola, whenever he considers an idea for a movie script. The situation is not different, and The Nation can confirm that the award-winning screen writer is already burning glucose on ‘Mokalik’, a Yoruba local’s pronunciation of the word ‘mechanic’ which he picked from a scene in his late father, Ade Love’s classic, ‘Taxi Driver’.
Afolayan who is known to be involved in casting for his film says he is seriously considering bringing to the spotlight, some of the old talents who are almost being forgotten. To this end, it would not be surprising to see comic actors like Ayo Ogunshina, popularly known as ‘Papa Lolo’ and Dayo Akinpelu, aka ‘Alabi Yellow’ playing alongside a few other regular actors. If agreement is reached, ‘Mokalik’ may just be the acting debut for sonorous singer Simisola Ogunleye, simply called Simi.
Afolayan disclosed that preparations are on to begin shooting on the 27th of this month, adding that the one location shoot will tell the story of the protagonist, an 11-year-old boy who must make his choice in life, in a complex society and a future full of uncertainty. The story, he says, will be captured, in a space of 12 hours, all the dramas in a typical mechanic garage.
Recently, Afolayan lent thoughts to the need for kids to acquire other skills during the summer holiday. He showed his son, Darasimi, taking undergoing such vocational training at a mechanic workshop in Lagos. It is not unlikely that the idea of ‘Mokalik’ may have been developed during Darasimi’s training.
HERE is a coming-of-age, passage-of-rites drama surrounding an 11-year-old boy from the middle-class suburbs who spends the day as a lowly apprentice at a mechanic workshop in order to view life from the other side of the tracks.
From the moment a melancholic 11-year old boy, Jaiye, is dropped off at the mechanic workshop in the morning by his father, Ogidan, it is obvious he doesn’t want to be there. Ogidan hands the grumpy Jaiye over to the local Chairman, then leaves. Jaiye stands out like a sore thumb in the workshop as he commences his apprenticeship under various mechanics. Along the way, he meets other apprentices, some of who take a liking to him, others of who take a disliking to him.
As miserable as Jaiye is in his mechanical vocation, he finds himself taking to his apprenticeship like a duck to water. He also comes across the apple of his eye, a 21-year-old cute lady called Simi. He finds her easy to talk to, and he eventually confides in her why he’s really at the mechanic workshop – he came last in his primary school leaving exam, hence his father wants to see if he’s more interested in a vocation than education. The trouble is, he is beginning to enjoy the vocation.
Simi advises him to think very carefully through his options before arriving at any decision, as there is no easy route in life… just choices.
Throughout the day, Jaiye finds himself at the centre of all types of drama at the mechanic workshop, from rivalry, to a theft, to sabotage, to a pregnancy, to a fight… however he also sees the spirit of camaraderie, hard work, sacrifice and ambition amongst the other apprentices. He understands that this is more than just an apprenticeship to them – this is a passage of rites. When a former apprentice celebrates his ‘freedom’, and Jaiye sees the utter joy on the faces of all the other apprentices and mechanics, he realises that his decision is going to be far more difficult than he envisaged.
When the end of the day arrives, his father, Ogidan, arrives. Now Jaiye has to finally make up his mind if he wants to return to school… or take on his apprenticeship full time.
I have no doubt in my mind that this film, aside its comic angle; will provoke thoughts when released. It is full of the type of conversation that examines how we place paper qualification above practical skills in Nigeria.
