HOTJIST MOVIE REVIEW: BB SASORE’S GOD CALLING; THE UNCONVENTIONAL FAITH-BASED
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Joseph Omoniyi
Known for his past works, “Before 30”, a television series which deals with marriage issues, especially for women, “Supernatural” and “Banana Island Ghost”, BB Sasore explores faith, hope, personal tragedy in the light of modernity in “God Calling”, an unconventional, heavily crewed, star-studded faith-based movie, grossing about 37 million naira in its second weekend and currently among the top 2o movies in the Nigerian Box Office.
The entire elements of the production of this film distinguish it from the conventional faith-based film which never makes it beyond the roofs of church buildings in Nigeria, synonymous with the regular producers that have carved and erected religious ministries around it as a genre of film.
Jointly produced by Ibukun Awosika, Derin Adeyokunnu, Yomi Jemibewon, Patricia Jemibewon, Ukoni Nwagwu, Chijioke Uwaegbute, Karibi Fubara, ZeeZeelhe-Okuneye Olude, Opeyemi Awoyemi, Dolapo Awosika, Enyi Omeruah and Chioma Omeruah. The list that makes you nod your head and say, “no wonder!” Unlike the ones we used to have, probably produced by a pastor who wants to make a movie but ends up producing another sermon tape, with church workers sitting (or standing) in front of the camera to read lines (or listen to someone doing same). You see a character that is supposedly a miscreant being played by Deacon ‘Lagbaja” and you will like throwing up. God Calling, beginning from it’s trailer, sets its own tone and makes it clear that this is a different ball game.
The collaboration that went into the production, basically all of the pre-production, between writing five drafts of the script, full casting, location scouting, VFX underwater & green-screen tests, etc all took just months. Although there were some glitches in a place or two with the VFX, it’s forgivable.
The storyline itself is another element that beats all odds for critics of faith-based movies. God Calling chronicles the life of Sade, a wife, mother and a drug addict (the central character played by Zainab Balogun) who suffers a personal tragedy and spiritually taken on a journey of self-discovery and faith, which transforms the lives of those around her. The plots development were done in a way that makes that very believable. The story opens the viewers’ imagination to what it may look like to be the modern Abraham, Job or Saul. I even think it’s even more like Saul (Paul) in the Bible. Sade who was not sure about her belief in God, is dealt a drastic blow when her only daughter dies tragically in a fire incident at her home. She takes it on God. However, God reaches into her in the midst of her ordeal in a very unconventional manner. This was done realistically. Although it looks impossible. But film is a mixture of fantasies and realities but those fantasies must be believable. The phone call from God sure sounds like a crazy story, even her husband thinks she is hallucinating. It creatively portrays what Abraham, Paul, Elijah, Joseph kind of faith is in this technology age.
The acting is another great element in God calling that scores it high; with veterans and professionals like Onyeka Onwenu, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Nkem Owoh (Osuofia), Tina Mba, alongside Ademola Adedoyin, Patrick Diabuah, Eku Edewor,Bikiya Graham Douglas and singer, ChiDynma D’Voice…and the lead cast Zainab Balogun and a host of others who sure put in their very best. No wrong casting, no static character.
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