Anikulapo

This is one Nigerian movie you should definitely watch. Not only is it an epic historical and cultural masterpiece but it also gives a glimpse into Nigeria's pre-colonial life and times. Anikulapo is a beautifully produced work of art by a master storyteller that has not only elevated Nigerian culture but also garnered acceptability and love from viewers around the world earning it a number-one ranking on Netflix.

As a Nigerian, I am so, so proud of this movie. So much history and culture; great storytelling and cinematography; beautiful sets and locations; costumes; characters - the works. What's there not to love about this movie? A story of human frailty, love, pride, jealousy, greed, selfishness, opportunism, squandered chances and so much more.

About This Movie

Anikulapo is a 2022 Yoruba language historical drama written, directed, and produced by Kunle Afolayan subtitled in English and released on Netflix. The cast includes Kunle Remi, Bimbo Ademoye, Sola Sobowale, Taiwo Hassan, Hakeem Kae-Kazeem, Faithia Balogun, Kareem Adepoju, Eyiyemi Afolayan and Adebowale Adedayo (Mr. Macaroni) among others.

Synopsis

Saro, an itinerant cloth weaver finds his way to Oyo town seeking work and better opportunities. He encounters Awarun, a businesswoman who offers him work but actually wants him as her lover. Arolake is the youngest wife of the King who is barren and bears the sneers, insults, and mistreatment of her seniors. Arolake and Saro have an illicit relationship and seek to elope but Saro is caught and beaten to death. A mystical bird resurrects him and adjudging him worthy of death seeks to send him back but Arolake chases it away. Unfortunately, it drops its source of power which she hides and runs away with Saro. Their journey takes them to Ojumo where Arolake reveals that she has the bird's power to raise the dead and hands it to Saro who uses it to raise the dead garnering him favour, wealth, status, and fame. Unfortunately, he becomes cocky, proud, greedy, and philandering. He betrays Arolake who dispossesses him of the power and leaves him. When the king requests that he resurrect his dead son and heir, he demands his daughter in marriage as payment. He realizes he has lost his source of power when he fails to resurrect the lad and is executed again.

Social Relevance

This movie highlights key aspects of Western Nigerian history and Yoruba culture. Apart from its historical and cultural significance, it does highlight several social themes. Some of these include Love and Relationships; Money, Greed, Power, and Opportunism; Work, Vocation, and Talent; Migration and Travel and the search for better Opportunities; Envy and Jealousy; Infidelity and Adultery; Child Marriage; Barrenness; Death and Resurrection among others.

Life Lessons

Traditional African stories and folklore always teach key life lessons and provide takeaways for the listener or audience. This story is no different. Some of my key takeaways from this movie are:

• Pride always precedes destruction and a haughty spirit ensures a headlong fall - Saro grew proud and haughty, careless and uncaring. Forgetting his antecedents, he proceeded to be too comfortable in his newly acquired status forgetting the one who helped him get there. The saying 'Don't bite the hand that fed you' is a key lesson here

Don't bite the hand that fed you

• It takes grace to be humble in the face of great praise, wealth, power, and influence - Saro thought he had it all and could therefore do all regardless of the consequences

It takes grace to be humble

• Not every woman has a dream to be queen. Some want a quiet life full of love and children - Arolake was given as a bride to the king without any say in the matter but remained unhappy nonetheless.

Not every woman has a dream to be queen

• Childlessness and Barrenness have always been sore points for women no matter their status - Most women seek to bear and nurture children. Arolake's inability to have a child was a sore point for her and made her a target for the continuous jibes and ridicule of the king's other wives. This was further compounded by the fact that she was his favourite wife and the receiver of his constant gifts and affection

• The height of Saro's philandering was sleeping with Arolake's maid - Even the biblical Sarah gave her husband permission to give her children through her maid. The least Saro could have done was to discuss the matter with Arolake. To add further insult to injury, he and his younger wife mocked Arolake behind her back

• What goes around comes around - Life has a funny way of upturning things at critical moments. A sudden change in circumstance could cause one to slide down the ladder pretty fast. It pays to be humble and considerate of others always. No matter the status, wealth, standing, or power, never mock or ridicule another's misfortune.

• Opportunism, Greed, and Lack of empathy are an unholy trinity that can wreck a life - Saro's downfall was set once he allowed himself to fall into the trap that he was comfortable, formidable, powerful, and untouchable

Opportunism, Greed and Lack of empathy are an unholy trinity

Summary and Conclusion

There's been some debate especially online as to who was to blame for Saro's demise. Some blame Arolake for seducing him in the first place siting that Saro knew no better being sold out to work as a young boy. My Take: They are both discerning adults and both bear the blame. They could have at least eloped first rather than carry on with the affair under the king's nose. They knew the consequences and would surely have been caught sooner or later.

Another debate is that Arolake should not have dispossessed him of the power but should have stayed and supported him My Take: She was the one who chased the bird away, prevented Saro from being returned to the land of the dead, hid the bird's power and entrusted it to Saro for their posterity. The very least he owed her was a little consideration and not betrayal. He could have discussed the matter of having children from other sources with her first.

Pride was the main cause of Saro's downfall.

Viewing Advisory

Regardless of the cultural and historical significance of this movie, it is NOT for children as it contains scenes of violence, nudity, and sex.

Have you watched Anikulapo? What are your thoughts?