Gangs of Lagos- what are we really mad about?

Sometimes, movies touch on real-life issues that we are afraid to confront.

The Jade Osiberu-helmed movie 'Gangs of Lagos' has been the talk of the town since its release on April 7, 2023.

The political thriller, which stars Tobi Bakre, Adesua Etomi, Bimbo Ademoye, and others, has received rave reviews for its action and depiction of the dirty world of politics in Lagos, Nigeria.

Some people, especially the descendants of Isale Eko (downtown Lagos), are not happy with what went down in the movie. According to a statement by the Isale Eko Descendant Union, they were disturbed by the portrayal of the culture and tradition of Isale Eko in a "despicable and insensitive manner."

Further, the Union has requested the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) withdraw the approval granted to Gangs of Lagos. 

Rapper Vector, a descendant of Isale Eko, has also shared his thoughts about the movie. The award-winning rapper had an even-tempered view of the matter. In a series of tweets, he said the Eyo is not a criminal organization.

This situation reminds me of two classic movies, ‘The Godfather’ and ‘Scarface’. Both films starring Al Pacino received protests and criticisms from two immigrant groups - Italian Americans and Cubans. 

The Miami state government raised concerns about the portrayal of Cubans in Scarface before the actors got on set.

For further subtext, the Italian-American mafia and Latino criminals objected to both movies. The crew of Scarface had to leave Miami and shoot Scarface in Los Angeles. 

Today, both films are masterpieces not for showcasing the underworld but because of their layered representation of humans in a world of crime. They are nuanced and complex. They are not stereotypical, and neither are they fairy tales.

Isale Eko is a complex place. It is beautiful but also has dark spots. Is there crime there? Yes. Is there happiness there? Yes. We cannot deny that Isale Eko is a power player in Lagos politics, and politics in Nigeria is usually violent.

Jade Obiseru directed a film that highlights the reality of the socio-political context in Isale Eko. It is, however, not a one-note affair. Obalola's mum (played by Iyabo Ojo) wanted a better life for her son. Nino also wanted him to go to school, but Obalola chose otherwise.

Ify (portrayed by Chike) represents the heart of the movie. He was a talented artiste born in Isale Eko who wanted to leave the world of crime and pursue his dreams. 

These characters indicate not everyone in this movie basked in the world of crime. Some people wanted a way out. Even Obalola understood the game he was in, where rich, corrupt political warlords use street boys to create chaos.

Yeah, gun-toting Eyo masquerades might seem a stretch of dramatic license, and descendants of this heritage have a reason to raise eyebrows. No one likes a bad spotlight on something associated with them.

In the 90s, when Nollywood marketers churned out films about widow rites and outcasts, it wasn't an indictment of a tribe. Films like these were meant to spark discussions about certain practices in our culture. And they have.

Emotions are still raw after a bruising election period in Nigeria. Both sides still feel the pain of the tense elections. For the winners of the election, most especially the APC on a presidential level and gubernatorial level in Lagos, the victory has been pyrrhic. Gangs of Lagos still remind us that when it comes to the ballot box, bullets, and blood are never far away. ‘Gangs of Lagos’ might feel like a kick to the throat or a shovel on the head. This might also explain the undertone of the backlash.

Do we need violence in our politics? Do we need to financially disenfranchise people and use them as foot soldiers in the battle for power and money? I believe these are the questions the film Gangs of Lagos are asking. 

Replace Isale Eko with Oshodi or the oil creeks in the South-South, and these questions will remain. 

Yes, people have a right to get mad, but at what exactly?

I now leave you with two beautiful songs about Isale Eko & Eyo.

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