AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL NEW ZEALAND

Synopsis

The big city of Lagos and its inhabitants are the focus of this fast-moving, intense thriller from Nigeria. Government laws and powerful competitors threaten a start-up company by two young, enterprising software engineers, to provide a motorcycle ride-sharing service. Its success becomes known to corrupt police and government ministers, who want to get it banned. As we follow the outcome of the struggle, many other characters and stories of Lagos are interwoven into the plot and converge: a doctor wrestling with his conscience, police at loggerheads over harassment of youth in the streets, and many more. The director is looking at themes of how bad government policies affect all levels of society and deplete people’s humanity, but he is not offering simplistic solutions, and is showing rather than preaching. A picture emerges of complexity and intensity.

Awards: Best Movie, Best Writer AMVC, Nominee for Best Music, Best Sound Design, Best Supporting Actor (Femi Jacobs), AMVC; Jury Prize, AFRIFF.