The MIRROR BOY brings lessons from Gambia - Samod Biobaku writes

Lessons for Nollywood from Gambia

· As ‘The Mirror Boy’ berths Ozone Cinema

By Samod Biobaku

Sixthsense34@yahoo.com

After weeks of unparalleled anticipation, the movie, ‘The Mirror Boy’ finally arrived in Nigeria and its first point of call was the Ozone Cinemas in Lagos where it was screened to members of the fourth estate of the realm.

As early as 8am, media representatives from print and electronic media houses were already gathered at the Ozone Cinemas as they eagerly awaited what many had tagged one of the biggest pictures for the year 2011.

For those who might not know, ‘The Mirror Boy’ was shot in both Gambia and the U.K by Nigeria’s Obi Emelonye.

When the U.K-based film maker, Obi Emelonye was earlier turned down at the Obudu Cattle Ranch in Cross River State where he had planned to shoot the Nigerian scene for his movie, ‘The Mirror Boy,’ little did he know that it was a blessing in disguise.

He had planned to shoot the movie in two major parts – 20 per cent of it in London and the remaining 80 per cent shot here in Nigeria but after getting the cold shoulder at the Obudu ranch, he kept his head up and fortune not just smiled at him but held him in a bear-hugging embrace.

One thing led to another and Emelonye became a guest of the president of Gambia and was hosted in the country for 10 days; where he eventually shot the rest of the movie. In Gambia, the president supported Emelonye with 17 hotel rooms for three weeks, 15 vehicles that were regularly fueled and other logistical support.

The Mirror Boy

The movie Opened with a fascinating shot of a U.K bridge and was followed by another equally enthralling shot from an elevated angle.

The lead actor’s staccato soliloquy all through the course of the movie breathed an air of freshness and understanding into the film.

During the Gambian welcome reception scene, the blackout bears a grand reminder of to the abysmal power problem in Nigeria.

The realistic interpretation of the characters such as the lead character getting his finger burnt with a candle in the dark, the mosquitoes bites, their ceaseless buzz on his first night in Gambia and Osita adorning the same costume (cast as a spirit) add up to drive the message home.

The subtlety of racism as a minor thematic focus in the movie and the challenges it poses to the younger generation (especially when parents and guardians tend to dismiss or undermine it’s mentally and physically disturbing existence) also swims into focus.

While trying to convince Tijan of his presence, Osita teleports and this is convincingly delivered with a professional touch. His (Osita) ability to deliver several lines of rich proverbs and adages all through the movie pose as a reminder to his acting prowess and cast choice.

Genevieve also reaffirms her place as one of Nigeria’s very best with her exceptional ability to perfectly blend into the character she was cast as.

The use of black magic, spells and metaphysical coordinates also pop into the movie’s perspective as the mirror boy’s true identity and purpose swim into focus.

At the end of the screening, Emelonye and the General Manager, Ozone Cinemas, Patrick Lee fielded questions from the media to wrap it up.

The story as told by Emelonye

The Mirror Boy is the coming of age; the right of passage adventure movie that explores the identity crisis that African children born in the Diaspora experience as they grow up. So, it looks at a 12-year old London-bred boy who gets into a fight in London and the mum decides to send him back to Africa for discipline. He arrives in Africa and encounters this friend; an imaginary friend in a mirror. The next day; in a crowded market place, he sees the same boy across the road and eventually goes missing. One thing leads to another and he goes missing on his second day in Africa. This little boy takes him on a journey through the beautiful African scenery. It is a journey of self discovery. By the time, he emerged in a small village that he has never been to before, he is now a changed boy; a grown man and he finds explanations for things that have happened in his life including his connection with his father that he has never met before.