Corruption, Violence Reign in Afolabi Olalekan’s Toronto Discovery Player ‘Freedom Way’

As a Nigerian film enthusiast with a passion for stories that resonate deeply, I am eagerly anticipating the international premiere of “Freedom Way” at TIFF. Having closely followed the careers of both Afolabi Olalekan and Blessing Uzzi, I am thrilled to see their collaboration come to fruition in this powerful and timely film.

Two tech experts from Nigeria, along with their attorney, find themselves navigating a complex maze of governmental limitations, violence, and corruption in director Afolabi Olalekan’s first film “Freedom Way.” This gripping production will make its international debut at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), showcased within the Discovery section, which spotlights daring cinematic works from around the globe.

Amongst the 16 captivating global premieres showcased by EbMaster this year at Toronto, I found the movie that truly stole my heart.

Selecting Afolabi for the director role was a straightforward choice. I’ve known him for more than four years and have seen his commitment to filmmaking in his short films. Given that I had recently established Bluhouse Studios, it was clear I wouldn’t be directing this project myself. One of our main goals at Bluhouse is to foster and cultivate other talented individuals – writers, producers, and directors – just like Afolabi,” Blessing Uzzi explained to EbMaster.

Collaborating with Afolabi marked the beginning of our mutual projects, and since then, I’ve been working alongside other directors and writers, following the ‘Freedom Way,’ to create short films and various productions under Bluhouse Studios.

Olalekan mentioned that he has always been attracted to stories, and his music videos often follow a narrative structure. Reading the script, as a Nigerian living in Nigeria, he found it easy to connect with some of the characters’ experiences, which definitely piqued his interest. He feels that the project is one that people can relate to in various ways.

The movie begins by showcasing the charm and business acumen of its main characters, but their dreams are shattered when they encounter corrupt law enforcement officials armed to the teeth, who wield almost unpunishable authority tinged with resentment.

The difficult situation these characters find themselves in propels them towards encounters with the main actors in the movie, as they navigate an almost impassable route. This journey underscores the role of the city’s social hierarchy in limiting fair opportunities for advancement to the determined inhabitants of Lagos.

The story unfolds with Themba (Jesse Suntele) and Tayo (Mike Alfolarin), who have launched their rideshare app called Easy Go, connecting busy motorbike drivers in the area to customers willing to pay. Abiola (Adebowale “Debo” Adedayo), a caring father, plans to boost his earnings by using this app. However, the government quickly enacts a broad ban on such services, threatening both drivers and developers with strict legal consequences.

The movie doesn’t just focus on police brutality, it delves deeper into the underlying governmental policies that foster such oppression and influence citizens. I think by using storytelling, we can shed light on these harmful policies, and perhaps encourage the government to reevaluate their consequences on people’s lives. It’s a slow journey, but it starts with understanding and dialogue.

They stated: “As storytellers in cinema, we continue to share these narratives regardless, for this is an essential aspect of our craft. It’s our duty to reveal societal issues and foster awareness. Recognizing problems paves the way for solutions, and that’s what art achieves—it illuminates these concerns and their consequences, mirroring life in its rawest form. We can merely wish that our work sparks change, although change is a gradual process. We must persistently voice our opinions through various platforms.

The movie intricately weaves its characters, depicting a powerful message about human interconnectedness – each action echoes throughout the entire group, causing ripple effects that ultimately complete the narrative loop. The film invites contemplation on how effortlessly any of us might assume roles as oppressor or oppressed, and underscores the lengthy duration it often takes to correct the wrongs inflicted by those in power.

Olalekan expressed his viewpoint, suggesting that our lives and encounters often share common threads, regardless of factors like social class, ethnicity, race, personal beliefs, or religious affiliations. In the movie, each character, irrespective of their chosen journey, is portrayed as a human striving to maximize their own life’s potential. Olalekan aims for viewers to identify with at least one character in the film, and he hopes that this production will inspire us to consider our behavior as humans and initiate open discussions about possible solutions to improve and make wiser choices. These decisions, he notes, have far-reaching consequences, impacting everyone.

The project provides a local perspective on significant worldwide issues, contributing to the expanding body of films focusing on unchecked injustice.

‘Freedom Way,’ with its unique cultural and local context, resonates particularly in Nigeria. Yet, police brutality is not confined by geographical boundaries; it’s a global problem that surfaces in numerous countries. Excessive use of force, unjustified arrests, harassment, profiling, corruption, and abuse of power by the police are prevalent issues worldwide. That’s why it’s essential to continue sharing these stories. By keeping the dialogue open, we can foster greater awareness and hopefully drive change for the better.” (Uzzi expressed)

They found out: “Festival films significantly expand our reach beyond Nigeria, for which we’re thankful to Toronto. I appreciate viewing movies from diverse cultures as it offers a chance to compare them with mine and learn about their distinctive stories. There’s a sense of connection in recognizing that some of the struggles we face are shared by others globally. It serves as a reminder that we’re not isolated.

2024-09-10 19:47

Corruption, Violence Reign in Afolabi Olalekan’s Toronto Discovery Player ‘Freedom Way’

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