CINEMA LENSES

                                            by:@black_pen_magic

Hi guysssss. Long time no see yeah? Well, how's the strike going? Fine or not, permit me to keep you busy for about 3minutes with this. So today we're going to be talking about the movie SWALLOW.

SPOILER ALERT∆∆∆∆∆∆∆

  Released on the 1st of October, 2021, Swallow is a social issues drama film directed by Kunle Afolayan and is based on the novel by Sefi Atta with the same title, "Swallow". The movie stars Eniola ‘Niyola’ Akinbo(Tolani), Ijeoma Grace Agu(Rose Adamson), Deyemi Okanlawon(Sanwo), Kelvin Ikeduba (OC), Chioma Akpotcha (Mama Chidi), Eniola Badmus (Nurse) and of course Toyin Ogundeji (Mrs Archibong) amongst others.

 Set in 1985, the movie is basically centered around the lives of two friends, Tolani and Rose trying to survive in a misogynistic, corrupt, poverty society. Apart from that, it tried as much as possible to give a visual representation of the everyday life of an average Nigerian in 1985.

ACTING

Over the years, Afolayan has experimented with casting non-actors in his movies. In last year's 'Citation', he ushered YouTuber and fashion influencer Temi Otedola into the world of make-believe. Before Temi, there was music icon Angelique Kidjo in 'The CEO', Chidinma Ekile in 'The Bridge' and in 2019, he gave us Simi in 'Mokalik'. Overnight, what first seemed to be a strategic placement became a brand tag for the filmmaker. But casting non-actors for lead roles is not the problem. I believe to a reasonable extent, these people need to go through some kind of draining, not just giving them a script and rolling the camera on them but giving them in full detail what is expected of their character. Swallow like in Citation, the lead character has a way of crippling the whole energy. It's now left for other supporting actors to pick up the pace. But compared to Temi, Niyola's acting was beautiful (for an amateur). Buttttttt, Ijeoma Agu (Rose) was fireeeeee. I would say she was the best choice Kunle Afolayan made about casting in the movie. 

THEME

The theme of the movie is diverse, ambiguous. There's the theme of corruption, misogyny, poverty, desperation, greed, love, etc. And really there's no problem with having so many theme in a creative piece but most of the themes in this movie were left unresolved. Some just came and nothing was said about it again. Well, I would say the main themes of the movie was Corruption and Greed.

SUSPENSCE

This one ehn, I didn't expect what I saw alllll to be honest. If I go to watch this movie at the cinema, the beginning where Tolani cried before her mum and said "Mummy, I have suffered" and then a flashback followed, walahi I will get more popcorn because I honestly would want to see the SUFFERING buttttttttttt, (deep sigh) to me Tolani did not suffer enough to keep me at the edge of my sit. If the suspensce I had at the beginning was 9. 5, forty-five minutes into the movie, it would drop to 3.8. For most part of the movie, nothing happened. I was like "oyaaaa, where's the suffering na", expecting "Oloture" kind of suffering or at least see a twist. I am not trying to rewrite the script even the book but the suspensce was a NO for me really.

CINEMATOGRAPHY

From "October 1st" all Kunle Afolayan's movies always tend to stand-out in terms of cinematography. Mannnnnn, the visuals was maddd. The angles were absolutely beautiful. I just loved the fact that it was as realistic as possible. Unlike other Nollywood movies were if two characters are in a scene, only one or no activity would be going on in the background. Swallow was different. The market was a relatable market place, the office, the church, the compound, in general, the Cinematography wasn't just beautiful but paid serious attention to details. Shout-out to Sawyyer David.

SUSPENSION OF DISBELIEF

The movie tried as much as possible to depict what happens in the life of an everyday average Nigerian in 1985. Mama Chidi, Nurse, The Office Colleagues, The FIFA observers and of course our main characters. It is really easy to believe that people go through what these characters go through every day in Nigeria even till now.

PLOT 

The story/plot of the movie was a NO for me. Many critics say the movie didn't do justice to the novel, well I'm yet to read the novel but the story was so not it. It was as if something was missing. There was no weight, nothing to hold on to, no "ever-green" moment. Lol, no part was larger than the other. Since it's based on a novel that I'm yet to read, let me just stop here. But for now, it's a NO for me.

COSTUME AND SET

First of all, when I saw the main characters going into a club that "LADIES NIGHT" was scripted at the entrance, I laughed and was expectant. I pictured the club scene in the movie "'76". I think I need to research when Denim Jackets came into fashion in Nigeria and when men stopped wearing palazzo trousers because not even one was used in the movie. Then again, we know it's fake but Frank Donga's hair was not just fake but I knew it's a wig. A CURLY wig! Maybe Thin Tall Tony's hair was curly because he's razz and an half-cast, but Frank Donga was a working class man, a born-again Christian in 1985. Why was his hair curly? And I could make an excuse for a Politician or a big Business man, but I don't understand why a Barber in the market would have a Coloured Television set as at 1985. 

Well, with all said, I would give SWALLOW a 5/10. You don't agree with me? You know you can rate the movie yourself. See you next time. Let me go and watch Squid Games. Byeeeeee.