ISALE EKO INDIGENES PETITION NFVCB OVER DEFAMATION OF ISALE EKO, EYO IN MOVIE “GANGS OF LAGOS”
Read Time:2 Minute, 47 Second
By Adeniyi Onaara
Descendants of Isale Eko have vowed to sue the producer of Gang of Lagos, Jade Osiberu, and have asked the National Film And Censors Board (NFVCB) to revoke the film’s approval.
They claimed that Adinmu Orisha’s drama has nothing to do with the thuggery, brutality, and gangsterism depicted in the film.
“Gangs of Lagos” is a high-stakes, gritty, and hard-hitting action crime-thriller with an authentic plot about a gang of childhood pals who must manage destiny while growing up in the bustling streets and neighborhood of Isale Eko, Lagos.
Jade Osiberu and Kemi Lala Akindoju direct the film, which is executive produced by Adesegun Adetoro, Demi Olubanwo, Olumide Soyombo, Bankole Wellington, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, and Kola Aina; and filmed by Greoh Studios, and released by Amazon’s Prime Video Nigeria.
Yomi Tokosi, Chairman of the Isale Eko Descendant Union, stated in a statement that the film contains frightening violent imagery.
He said that the distinctive Eyo masquerade indigenous to the Lagos community of Isale Eko was being illegally and scandalously depicted as a camouflage, decoy, and smokescreen for killers and gangsters operating in the Isale Eko region.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Eyo masquerade has been part of the unique cultural heritage of the Isale Eko community of Lagos since 1854 (169 years), and the Eyo is known as a masquerade for celebration in Lagos Island and not an instrument of the gang of criminals as illegally and scandalously portrayed.”
He lamented that the movie has brought the Eyo masquerade and the people of Isale Eko into disrepute, who are now deemed criminally minded in the eyes of right-thinking members of the society.
“The Isale Eko descendants’ union is very disturbed that Amazon and Prime Video can wantonly exploit Isale Eko culture and tradition in such a despicable and insensitive manner to the detriment of the Isale Eko community.”The illegal and scandalous depiction of the Eyo masquerade in the film is actionable, and the IDU has filed a petition with the NFVCB, together with other important parties.The IDU has requested, among other things, that the NF&CB remove the movie’s approval and direct the removal of the film from all public viewing channels.
The IDU and other community stakeholders will also consider legal action for the harm done to the Isale Eko community’s culture, custom, and reputation, as well as the Eyo Masquerade.
Gbenga Bada, the editor of The Nation Entertainment and a Lagosian, also reacted: “I do not entirely agree with the first impression of the Eyo, which belongs to the Opa fraternity.”
Though I am aware that certain unscrupulous forces hide behind this age-old Eko tradition to perpetuate evil, the tone, which was too obviously evident in Gangs of Lagos, may be misleading, particularly for Gen Z.”Foreign producers and filmmakers excel at conducting extensive study, particularly when it comes to culture and traditions.
“The soundtrack is heavy on Eyo chants, the depiction of the Eyo heritage may be dubbed fiction and art inventiveness, but is that how we want Gen Zs to interpret our tradition? Gen Z, who are uninterested in tradition and culture in the first place, now have the opportunity to finally thrash them.
Having said that, the film was well worth the 204 minutes it took to watch.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0