Kunle Afolayan’s latest movie, ‘October 1’ is unique
in that it takes the audience into an unknown world of the unspoken actions and in-actions of religious hypocrisy and political injustice.
in that it takes the audience into an unknown world of the unspoken actions and in-actions of religious hypocrisy and political injustice.
The film takes us back in time to Nigeria on the eve
of Nigeria’s Independence with all the events taking place before Independence. It begins with
Inspector Danladi Waziri, a role well played by Sadiq Daba, narrating an
account of his investigation of the murder of five female virgins in the remote
village of Akote. Listening to him are the colonial masters, Mr. Winterbottom
an attaché to the outgoing governor of Lagos, Ackerman, and Tomkins Colins, DCO
from Kenya,
of Nigeria’s Independence with all the events taking place before Independence. It begins with
Inspector Danladi Waziri, a role well played by Sadiq Daba, narrating an
account of his investigation of the murder of five female virgins in the remote
village of Akote. Listening to him are the colonial masters, Mr. Winterbottom
an attaché to the outgoing governor of Lagos, Ackerman, and Tomkins Colins, DCO
from Kenya,
A police officer from the North, Waziri is diligent
and determined to resolve the mystery behind the serial murder. In spite of the
fact that he has written a report of his findings, Winterbottom and his men
still want to hear Waziri narrate his experience verbally.
and determined to resolve the mystery behind the serial murder. In spite of the
fact that he has written a report of his findings, Winterbottom and his men
still want to hear Waziri narrate his experience verbally.
As Waziri begins to narrate his investigations
verbally, the film takes the audience into a busy market day in Akote.
verbally, the film takes the audience into a busy market day in Akote.
Each of the scenes shown are interjected with
demonstrations from women, with the famous Funmilayo Kuti (played by Deola
Sagoe) leading them. Inspector Waziri is received at the motor park by the
humorous Sergeant Afonja, who gives him a progress report on the murders.
Sergeant Afonja takes him to examine one of the corpses. The portrayal of this
scene is very commendable. The corpse is not shown but its state is rightly
captured in the words of Inspector Waziri who brilliantly delivers the lines
thus:
demonstrations from women, with the famous Funmilayo Kuti (played by Deola
Sagoe) leading them. Inspector Waziri is received at the motor park by the
humorous Sergeant Afonja, who gives him a progress report on the murders.
Sergeant Afonja takes him to examine one of the corpses. The portrayal of this
scene is very commendable. The corpse is not shown but its state is rightly
captured in the words of Inspector Waziri who brilliantly delivers the lines
thus:
“Discolouration around the neck suggesting
strangulation; the same for the other victim. Blood around the vagina suggesting
rape.”
strangulation; the same for the other victim. Blood around the vagina suggesting
rape.”
‘October 1’ is a brilliant recreation of history where
the script writer, Tunde Babalola, supported
by the director, Kunle Afolayan skillfully
creates a story of pain, treachery, betrayal and religious hypocrisy.
the script writer, Tunde Babalola, supported
by the director, Kunle Afolayan skillfully
creates a story of pain, treachery, betrayal and religious hypocrisy.
In a show of betrayal, Reverend Father Downing,
undermines the trust of the people of Akote by sexually violating two young
boys, Agbekoya and Prince Aderopo, who lived with him in a bid to get western
education at the famous Kings’ College in Lagos.
undermines the trust of the people of Akote by sexually violating two young
boys, Agbekoya and Prince Aderopo, who lived with him in a bid to get western
education at the famous Kings’ College in Lagos.
Hurt by the Reverend’s violation of his person, one of
the boys, Prince Aderopo, decides to rape six virgin girls of Akote before
October 1, the same day he is billed to travel to Britain on scholarship for his
university education as revenge for the violation he has suffered. This theme of betrayal, religious pretense and
treachery runs through the entire film. Father Downing’s love for boys is the
main plot on which other sub plots of the film are woven. He is the pedophile,
who sleeps with Aderopo and Agbekoya.
the boys, Prince Aderopo, decides to rape six virgin girls of Akote before
October 1, the same day he is billed to travel to Britain on scholarship for his
university education as revenge for the violation he has suffered. This theme of betrayal, religious pretense and
treachery runs through the entire film. Father Downing’s love for boys is the
main plot on which other sub plots of the film are woven. He is the pedophile,
who sleeps with Aderopo and Agbekoya.
“Aderopo, it’s time for morning prayers,” he would
say, whenever he goes to wake-up the boys in the morning. Gently, like sheep
being led to slaughter, the boys would follow him, one at a time.
say, whenever he goes to wake-up the boys in the morning. Gently, like sheep
being led to slaughter, the boys would follow him, one at a time.
‘October 1’ is also a film rich in the use of
language. The language employed in the film is as diverse as the characters
are.
language. The language employed in the film is as diverse as the characters
are.
Yoruba is the predominant language in Akote, but
characters like Sergeant Waziri, and the innocent Hausa traveler; wrongly
accused of killing Chidinma, speak Hausa. Okafor, a hunter, whose daughter is
the fifth victim of Aderopo’s escapade, and his other Igbo brothers, speak
Igbo. These languages bring to light the diversity of a people on the verge of
independence.
characters like Sergeant Waziri, and the innocent Hausa traveler; wrongly
accused of killing Chidinma, speak Hausa. Okafor, a hunter, whose daughter is
the fifth victim of Aderopo’s escapade, and his other Igbo brothers, speak
Igbo. These languages bring to light the diversity of a people on the verge of
independence.
The death of Chidinma, and the response of the Igbo
community in Akote to her killing, including Okafor’s ultimate revenge confirm
how contentious cross cultural issues has always been in Nigeria.
community in Akote to her killing, including Okafor’s ultimate revenge confirm
how contentious cross cultural issues has always been in Nigeria.
‘October 1’ also unhappily reminds us that corruption
and injustice were part of the legacies inherited at independence. The criminal in the film is Prince Aderopo,
but he is left unpunished because he is the son of a notable king.
and injustice were part of the legacies inherited at independence. The criminal in the film is Prince Aderopo,
but he is left unpunished because he is the son of a notable king.
Instead, an innocent Hausa traveller is accused of the
murder of Chidinma. And Winterbottom insists it remains so because the Hausa
man is unknown; a faceless man, while Prince Aderopo is well known, hence he is
incapable of murder. But the grand plot is not to protect Prince Aderopo, but
to cover the inadequacies of Father Downing.
murder of Chidinma. And Winterbottom insists it remains so because the Hausa
man is unknown; a faceless man, while Prince Aderopo is well known, hence he is
incapable of murder. But the grand plot is not to protect Prince Aderopo, but
to cover the inadequacies of Father Downing.
This is definitely a movie worth seeing!
Producer/director: Kunle Afolayan
Script writer: Tunde Babalola
Film Reviewer: Funke Osae-Brown
