A Vivacious perspective on October 1 - A Kunle Afolayan Movie

October 1 is an upcoming Nigerian dark psychological thriller film written by Tunde Babalola, produced and directed by Kunle Afolayan.

On Tuesday 5/7/14 we had the opportunity to attend a media screening of the movie.

Kunle’s movies have always done it for me, but we must look at each one through a microscopic eye.
Before delving into the actual synopsis of the movie or the plot and message it was trying to convey. Let me first talk on the things that stood out for me personally.

The use of language was exceptional. Not understanding too much of Yoruba myself. There was the use of a deep indigenous Yoruba language as well as the good use of the Queen’s English; in the manner we know old men speak it.

When you hear the movie name “October 1” you will be expecting some political battle or talk about the torture of our country Nigeria but this had all that with a cute infusion of romance.

We saw the characters show us how to fall in love or probably lust, whatever it was for me I saw affection.
It truly wasn’t what I expected but well it never is with Mr Afolayan. He keeps you on the edge of your seat and constantly thinking throughout the movie. That’s my kind of film

As far as costumes and styling goes, spot on. The beauty of the actors came out through the gentleness in their attire. There was no need to excessively accessorize. The beauty spoke through the simplicity of that time.

Tunde Babalola says he wrote the script based on how we saw independence.  He spoke of the number of cries and stories that were swept under the rug. He spoke of how metaphors in the story were metaphors of what happened to the Nation during colonisation.

Kunle says October 1st is a film shot to educate and entertain. It’s a film that brings everyone together regardless age or tribe, it’s something that affected us all as well as generations to come.
The difference is how it affected each person differently. My opinion an awesome watch but that’s my opinion.
“Good or bad it’s our country now”.

Plot Outline
It’s September 1960, and with Nigeria on the verge of independence from British colonial rule, a northern Nigerian Police Detective, DAN WAZIRI, is urgently despatched by the Colonial Government to the trading post town of Akote in the Western Region of Nigeria to solve a series of female murders that have struck horror in the hearts and minds of the local community. On getting to Akote, more murders are committed, and with local tension high and volatile, Waziri has a race on his hands to solve the case before even more local women are killed.

Set against the backdrop of the national celebratory mood of the impending independence, Waziri is pulled into a game of cat and mouse as he and the killer try to outwit each other… leading to the climatic end in which the life of a popular local female teacher and village belle, TAWA, is held in the balance. Waziri has to race against the clock to capture the killer, save Tawa and solve the crime before the British flag is lowered and the Nigerian flag raised on Independence Day… October 1.

Sadiq Daba – Inspector Waziri
Aderupoko – Sergeant Afonja
Fabian Lojede – Corporal Omolodun
Demola Adedoyin – Prince Aderopo
Kehinde Bankole - Miss Tawa
Nick Rhys – Winterbottom
Lawrence Stubbings – Tomkins
Colin David Reese – Rev Dowling


Issues raised in this movie were not to create tribal sentiment or political unrest