Accolades as ‘October 1’ premieres Sept 28

The film’s director, Kunle Afolayan, said ‘October 1’ will be in cinemas on Nigeria’s independence day, October 1. An important date in Nigeria’s history to which the film is also attached in terms of storyline, ‘October 1,’ is expected to have a fine run at the cinemas, owing to the rave reviews that have followed […]

The film’s director, Kunle Afolayan, said ‘October 1’ will be in cinemas on Nigeria’s independence day, October 1. An important date in Nigeria’s history to which the film is also attached in terms of storyline, ‘October 1,’ is expected to have a fine run at the cinemas, owing to the rave reviews that have followed the few private screenings that have been held so far.
Following the same approach he adopted during the premiere of his last movie, ‘Phone Swap,’ the director has also revealed that the event will take place at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, instead of the customary cinema house premiere.
Already viewed by some select audiences, renowned film critic Shaibu Hussein described ‘October 1’ as a well helmed film that is visually beautiful and pleasing.
“A lot of work went into the production design, into the screen play and costuming with a lot of attention paid to details,” he told Weekend Magazine.
“There was compelling acting by the performers especially the lead actor, Sadiq Daba and the folk who played the sergeant. Comparably, I mean with works of this scope that are done here, I would say this is a great effort,” Hussein added.
Regarding texture and production values, Hussein said, it is way above the other works that Afolayan has signed: “Afolayan has proved that it gets better as they say, with each new work. This is far more accomplished than ‘Figurine,’ ‘Irapada’ and ‘Phone swap.’ I particularly like the multi-dimensional approach he took in delivering the narrative. There is the serial killer story on one hand and then there is the ‘rape’ on the society by our colonial masters.”
He noted that: “There was also the sub-plot about respect for tradition which is why the sergeant refused to obey the order to arrest an ifa priest, stressing the point that there is colonial rule, yes, but we have respect for our tradition. Other strong elements asides the acting is cinematography. That’s almost what rescued it from being too stagy.”
Another gripping element of the film is the humour which Sergeant and some of the other characters supplied in large doses. “Though there are a few gaps in the narrative, especially that we could easily tell who the serial killer was mid-way into the movie and also the fact that, I think it is a little bit too long (I think the version I saw is about two hours twenty minutes long), moviegoers will find ‘October 1’ a movie they want to see again and again,” he emphasised.
The film, to be distributed by Film One, features stars like Kanayo O. Kanayo, Femi Adebayo, Sadiq Daba, Kehinde Bankole, David Bailie, Nick Rhys, Fabian Adeoye Lojede, Bimbo Manuel and Kayode Olaiya.