Chioma Chukwuka, Adesua, and Tobi Address Isale Eko Representation in 'Gangs of Lagos'

It has been a complicated week for the makers and fans of the recently released Nollywood blockbuster, Gangs of Lagos. Since the movie's release of April 7th, it has been met with a mixed back of reactions. Some people love the movie and have been raving about it. However, on the national front, the movie has been getting hit with a lot of criticisms because of the way Eyo, Isale Eko, and Lagos is portrayed in the movie. Indigenes of Isale Eko have called on the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to ban the movie. The Isale Eko Defendant Union and the Lagos State Government have also called for the cancellation of the movie. A number of people are very upset at the representation of Isale Eko and Lagos in this movie. But what do the stars of the movie actually think about it?

During a new interview with The Corner Shop, stars from the movie Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Tobi Bakre, and Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha were asked about the representation of Isale Eko and Lagos in the movie. Here's what they had to say.

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During the interview, Chioma, Tobi, and Adesua were asked "How much of this film is a true reflection of Lagos and Lagosian life?" They responded:

CHIOMA: A to Z. Top to bottom.

ADESUA: Especially because we are talking about a very specific place in Lagos called Isale Eko, and the film, the heart of Isale Eko is in Gangs of Lagos. You get that sense, and it is funny because people from the streets, you hear them, they leave comments and they're like "yo, this is exactly how this is", and if the people from the streets are telling us that this is how this is, then I'd like to think that we kinda cracked something there, and that they are as proud of it as we are.

TOBI: Also, we had people from the streets actually join the movie.

CHIOMA: Yes! Most extras in the film were actually part of the streets.

TOBI & ADESUA: They became family.

CHIOMA: But it wasn't all fun.

ADESUA: Yeah, that's why I said they became - which is to say there was a journey.

CHIOMA: Yeah. Initially, there was a pushback where they were like "no, you guys can't do this, nobody's gonna come here" then the other camp will say "ah, this is our land, you guys have to show us some love". But afterwards, because we filmed for like a little over 50 days, when you see someone for a day, two days, weeks, they became like friends, like family. And to have them play some sort of role in the film, it gave them so much joy, and they did it with all of their heart.

So the people from the streets they filmed with, and those also in their comments, like the representation. Hmmm, interesting. What do you think about the representation of Isale Eko and Lagos in this movie, and do you think the backlash for the movie is justified? Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment either below or on my Jide Okonjo Facebook post.

That's All.

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