‘Gangs of Lagos’ unprofessionally produced, misleading – Lagos Gov’t
Sequel to the release of the much anticipated Nollywood movie, Gangs of Lagos’ which has received backlash from the custodiane of the Yoruba culture, that state government has reacted to some of the scenes in the movie.
The movie according to the state government was unprofessionally produced and misleading.
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The film which was produced by Jade Osiberu details the lives of three friends who grow up in a crime-ridden Isale Eko in Lagos and are drawn into gangsterism.
The state government in a press release by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, on Wednesday outrightly condemned and movie for misrepresenting the culture of the state.
She further rebuked the producers for portraying the revered Eyo masquerade as a gun-wielding villain.
“We are of the opinion that the production of the film ‘Gangs of Lagos’ is very unprofessional and misleading while its content is derogatory of our culture, with the intention to desecrate the revered heritage of the people of Lagos.
“It is an unjust profiling of a people and culture as being barbaric and nefarious. It depicts a gang of murderers rampaging across the state.”
The government released the statement hours after the Isale Eko Descendants’ Union (IDU) similarly expressed discontent with the portrayal of the Eyo masquerade.
The masquerade performs during festivals and other important events and is believed to represent the spirits of the ancestors.
The IDU lodged a complaint with the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) demanding the withdrawal of the approval granted to the film. The cultural group also demanded the film be withdrawn from all viewing channels.
“The IDU and other community stakeholders will also be considering legal action for the damage done to the culture, tradition and image of the Isale Eko community and the Eyo masquerade,” the group said.
Gangs of Lagos is the first African Original for Prime Video and part of Osiberu’s three-year overall deal with the streaming platform.
