O-Town (film)
2015 Nigerian film
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O-Town is a Nigerian crime gangster film written and directed by C.J. Obasi.[2] The film stars Paul Utomi as Peace, a hustler at the center of various issues in the small town of Owerri, also known as O-Town.[3][4] The film's music was composed by Beatoven and Wache Pollen and filming took place in Owerri.[2][5]
C.J. Obasi
- Paul Utomi
- Brutus Richard
- Ifeanyi Delvin Ijeoma
- Chucks Chyke
- Ifu Ennada
- Lucy Ameh
- Kalu Ikeagwu
- Olu Alvin
| O-Town | |
|---|---|
First film poster | |
| Directed by | C.J. Obasi |
| Written by | C.J. Obasi |
| Produced by | Oge Obasi C.J. Obasi |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Tunji Akinsehinwa |
| Edited by | C.J. Obasi |
| Music by | Beatoven Wache Pollen |
Production company | Fiery Film Company |
Release date |
|
Running time | 129 minutes |
| Country | Nigeria |
| Language | English |
Obasi has described the film as a "crime-gangster thriller. It's a semi-autobiographical tale because it draws from some of the crime stories I knew and heard growing up in a small town called Owerri in Imo State. It's also my exploration into genre film-making, where I explore basically my love for film."[5]
Story
The film is set in a lightly fictionalised version of Owerri, ruled over by a sadistic gangster, The Chairman. The story is told from the viewpoint of an omnipresent, anonymous filmmaker and it follows the travails of Peace, a small time hustler with an ambition to become the head of the streets.[4][6]
Cast
- Paul Utomi as Peace
- Brutus Richard as Sheriff
- Ifeanyi Delvin Ijeoma as Paami
- Chucks Chyke as The Artiste
- Ifu Ennada as Amara
- Lucy Ameh as Jenny
- Kalu Ikeagwu as The Chairman
- Olu Alvin as Viper
- C.J. 'Fiery' Obasi as narrator
Reception
Release and reception
It premiered at the 2015 edition of the Africa International Film Festival held in Lagos.[7][8] Nigerian critic Oris Aigbokhaevbolo described it as "overindulgent but brilliant".[6]
Goteborg Film Festival's artistic director Jonas Holmberg described O-Town as a "Tarantinesque" drama.[9]
Official selection
- Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), 2015[7][8]
- Goteborg Film Festival, 2016 [9][10][11]
Awards and recognition
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Screen Nation Film and Television Awards | Favourite International Movie | O-Town | Nominated | [12][13][14] |
| 2016 | Africa Movie Academy Awards | Most Promising Actor | Ifu Ennada | Nominated | [15][16] |
| 2016 | Africa Movie Academy Awards | Best Nigerian Film | O-Town | Nominated | [15][16] |
| 2016 | Africa Movie Academy Awards | Achievement in Soundtrack | O-Town | Won | [17][18] |