ELESIN OBA(THE KING’S HORSEMAN)
1. Good location and setting.
2. Relevant artifacts showcased.
3. Good sensitization of an aspect of the Oyo tradition.
1. Draggy plot with a level of anticlimax.
2. Very long duration for acting and plot displayed.
3. Lacks layers, intriguing dialogues and twists.
An okay watch.
Better left as a stage play or a thrilling movie with an anticlimax? Biyi Bandele’s much anticipated film, ‘Elesin Oba'(The King’s Horseman) is finally out, and streams on movie platform, Netflix, and it has clearly been met with mixed reactions. The movie which is an adaptation of Wole Soyinka’s ‘Death and the King’sHorseman’ tends to portray an aspect of the Oyo tradition termed to be barbaric during the WW2 period, which was a period of British Colonial rule in major parts of West Africa.
The movie chronicles the king’s horseman who must fulfil cultural rites by performing a ritual suicide to accompany the dead king to the afterlife, as the king’s horseman must always accompany the king in death in order to prevent calamities befalling the people, a belief held dear in the custom and tradition of the land. However, introduced as a lusty man, the king’s horseman on his last day on earth becomes flirty once again, and a sexual engagement with a virgin causes a series of unwanted events.
Well, of course, EbonyLife production continues to set good standard in terms of cinematography, and production, but this movie does seem to have been better left on stage. Pure theater! The performances felt like they’ll be better appreciated on stage. It lacked layers, dialogues, twists, expansion, spice and fire.
We however can appreciate the writer’s efforts to showcase events and artifacts common with that period, as costume, and location settings does show a well-designed 20th century setting.
The movie plot seemed like one which could have been wrapped up in roughly 45 mins. 1h 36 mins for what was acted just seemed too long and draggy, as it almost virtually seemed boring and draggy at some point. It honestly almost felt like forever at some point while watching.
We pay our respects to the director late Biyi Bandele who passed on earlier this year
Director, ‘Elesin Oba’
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Among notable cast in this are: Odunlade Adekola, Shaffy Bello, Jide Kosoko, Deyemi Okanlawon, Olawale “Brymo” Olofooro, and a host of others.
Star Performer: Odunlade Adekola & Shaffy Bello
They both pulled off their roles with ease. You could almost see comfortability in their characters as they played their roles with ease. Special kudos to Shaffy Bello, haven been used to roles with polished diction, she did however pull this particular Yoruba role with some ease.
Can-do-better Performer-Nil
