O-Town (film) explained
O-Town |
Director: | C.J. Obasi |
Producer: | Oge Obasi C.J. Obasi |
Narrators: | --> |
Music: | Beatoven Wache Pollen |
Cinematography: | Tunji Akinsehinwa |
Editing: | C.J. Obasi |
Studio: | Fiery Film Company |
Distributors: | --> |
Runtime: | 129 minutes |
Country: | Nigeria |
Language: | English |
O-Town is a Nigerian crime gangster film written and directed by C.J. Obasi.[1] The film stars Paul Utomi as Peace, a hustler at the center of various issues in the small town of Owerri, also known as O-Town.[2] [3] The film's music was composed by Beatoven and Wache Pollen and filming took place in Owerri.[4]
Of the film, Obasi has described as a "crime-gangster thriller. It’s a semi-autobiographical tale because it draws from some of the crime stories I knew and heard; growing up in a small town called Owerri in Imo State. It’s also my exploration into genre Film-making, where I explore basically my love for film."
Story
The film is set in a lightly fictionalised version of Owerri ruled over by a sadistic gangster, The Chairman (Kalu Ikeagwu). The story is told from the viewpoint of an omnipresent, anonymous filmmaker and it follows the travails of Peace (Paul Utomi), a small time hustler with an ambition to become the head of the streets.[5]
Cast
- Paul Utomi as Peace
- Brutus Richard as Sheriff
- Ifeanyi Delvin Ijeoma as Paami
- Chucks Chyke as The Artiste
- Ifu Ennada as Amara
- Lucy Ameh as Jenny
- Kalu Ikeagwu as The Chairman
- Olu Alvin as Viper
Reception
Release and reception
It first premiered at the 2015 edition of the Africa International Film Festival held in Lagos.[6] [7] Nigerian critic Oris Aigbokhaevbolo described it as "overindulgent but brilliant".
Goteborg Film Festival's artistic director Jonas Holmberg described O-Town as a “Tarantinesque” drama.[8]
Official Selection
Awards and recognition
Notes and References
- Web site: Izuzu. Chidumga. Check out official poster for C.J. Fiery's upcoming film. 29 July 2015. Pulse.ng. 30 September 2015.
- Web site: New Teaser Trailer for C.J. Obasi's Upcoming Gangsta Tale 'O-Town'. 7 September 2015. Tambay A.. Obenson.
- Web site: Nigerian Filmmaker C.J. Obasi Follows Up His Acclaimed Gangsta Tale in 'O-Town'. 5 May 2015. www.nigeriainfo.fm. 18 July 2016.
- Web site: 'Every single day I spent not being a film-maker was torture to me.' – C.J. 'Fiery' Obasi. 360Nobs.com. 12 September 2015.
- Web site: Oris Aigbokhaevbolo: CJ Obasi's 'O-Town' is Overindulgent but Brilliant. Aigbokhaevbolo. Oris. 22 November 2015. Bellanaija. 18 July 2016.
- Web site: AFRIFF 2015: Check out full list of selected movies. Izuzu. Chidumga. 12 October 2015. Pulse.ng. 18 July 2016.
- Web site: AFRIFF 2015 Final Selection. 21 October 2015. AFRIFF. en-US. 18 July 2016.
- Web site: 'The Danish Girl"s Tom Hooper To Receive Goteborg's Honorary Dragon Award. Keslassy. Elsa. 20 January 2016. en-US. 6 August 2016.
- Web site: Nollywood Shines At Goteborg International Film Festival. Husseini. Shaibu. 21 February 2016. 6 August 2016.
- Web site: Move Over "Ojuju" & "O-Town", "Otokoto" Promises To Be Fiery Film's Darkest Work. Dibebi. Ese. 24 January 2016. en-GB. 6 August 2016.
- Web site: 11th Screen Nation Film and Television Awards 2016 Nominations Announced. Kojo & Brenda Emmanus to Host. 23 February 2016. 6 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20170404045734/http://www.thebritishblacklist.com/11th-screen-nation-film-and-television-awards-2016-nominations-announced-kojo-brenda-emmanus-host/. 4 April 2017. dead.
- Web site: Lenny Henry's biopic wins big at Screen Nation Awards. Hudson. Rykesha. 21 March 2016. www.voice-online.co.uk. 6 August 2016.
- Web site: 11th Screen Nation Film & Television Awards 2016: Rewarding Excellence Celebrating Diversity. 6 August 2016.
- Web site: PRESS RELEASE: AMAA Announces 2016 Nominations List. Dagbue. Ike. 16 May 2016. en-US. 6 August 2016.
- Web site: Full List Of Nominees For 2016 African Movie Academy Awards Nigerian Entertainment Today - Nigeria's Number 1 Entertainment Daily. Bankole. Taofik. 16 May 2016. 6 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160807160203/http://thenet.ng/2016/05/full-list-of-nominees-for-2016-african-movie-academy-awards/. 7 August 2016. dead.
- Web site: AMAA 2016 Award Winners. Dagbue. Ike. 16 June 2016. en-US. 6 August 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160806203309/http://ama-awards.com/v2/amaa-2016-award-winners/. 6 August 2016.
- Web site: AMAA 2016: Daniel K Daniel, "Dry," Thishiwe Ziqubu among winners. Izuzu. Chidumga. 11 June 2016. 6 August 2016.