By Chris Adetayo
I don’t understand the indignation of Omo Eko over the depiction of parts of its cultural heritage in the movie, “Gangs of Lagos”. We have seen reactions from the Lagos State Government, traditional rulers and many indigenes. All are angry.
Well, whoever told them to go issuing angry statements and getting on the broadcast and social airwaves over the movie needs flogging. Why? All they have ended up doing is drive people to go watch the movie. Infact, the Producers of the movie will be thanking their stars for the free publicity. Many who would never have bothered were suddenly driven to go watch what the fuss is all about.
For one, it’s a movie. Make belief. The creative licence that the scriptwriters and directors enjoy means they aren’t going to stick 100% to reality. They are going to embellish here and minimize there. Even biographical works are given the same treatment. Afterall, no one ever suggests that “King of Boys” is a real thing or that all the Abija and Fadeyi Oloro movies of old were exactly how Yoruba lived their lives.
So there is unhappiness about how Eyo was depicted? No problem. Show the world what Eyo is about. Get tapes out and use various platforms to push the positive stories out. 10 years ago, I was at the TBS for one of the most brilliant exhibitions of Eyo. I am not sure Lagos leveraged that event enough. Maybe it’s time to do something about it again. Definitely better than whining and griping over a movie.
For what it’s worth, let the movie be!