Ebuka Njoku, almost two years after it was released for general audiences, of his debut feature-length film, Yahoo+, made his second feature film, Uno: The F in Family. The title of his debut feature film and the subject matter it broached — the throbbing question about the validity of the ritual killing committed by Nigerian internet fraudsters locally called Yahoo boys, introduced Njoku as an artist with a distinct creative voice. Although there are unmistakable discords in his voice, rewatching Yahoo+ recently and Uno, his recent film, one notices an artist dredging and tuning his artistic voice towards a near–perfect pitch. Thus, even when audiences listed the technical flaws in Yahoo+, the film received high praise due to the rarity of Njoku’s vision and story. In WhatKeptMeUp‘s 2022 annual critics’ poll, Njoku’s work occupied the fourth position as the best Nigerian film. It’s important to state that Njoku’s film achieves this feat in a list having filmmakers and films with weighty budgets and portfolios to flex. Kunle Afolayan’s Anikulapo, Adebayo Tijani and Tope Adebayo’s King of Thieves, Biyi Bandele’s Elesin Oba: The King’s Horseman, Kayode Kasum’s Obara’M, and Jade Osiberu’s Brotherhood are on this list. Desmond Ovbiagele‘s The Milkmaid, Damilola Orimogunje‘s For Maria Ebun Pataki, Segilola Ogidan‘s Tainted Canvas, and Njoku’s film on this list, prove that despite the seeming indie disposition that bonds these films and filmmakers together, the films still found warm embrace from Nollywood audiences proving the need for more alternative stories and voices.
Weeks ago, Njoku organized a media screening for Uno. Primarily, media screenings are organized by filmmakers with the motive that by inviting film enthusiasts and film journalists who will, in turn, write about their films, hopefully, public attention will be swayed toward the film. Thus, the media screening at EbonyLife Cinema had in attendance the film’s cast and crew ensemble supported by their friends and film journalists. Watching the film, with the presence of the cast members, you can occasionally give the cast and crew members a warm and knowing glance.
Uno: The F in Family dwells on the story of Junior (Keezyto), an artist with a fractured relationship with his family. A decade ago, his juggling of his academic career and creative interest infuriated Uzu, and his father, (Nkem Owoh) and introduced disunity into the family. From a deeply religious family — Uzu religiously pays homage to his traditional deities and his mother (Jennifer Eliogu) compulsory saving prayer over a meal — Junior has moved away from the familiar terrain of religiosity. Despite Junior’s disinterest in his family, for his relationship with Ruky (Tomi Ojo), his Yoruba girlfriend, to move to the next stage, he has to visit and possibly shorten the distance between him and his family. Now at home, Junior realizes Gozie, his junior brother is living life with no semblance of direction nor urgency, and Ada, his sister (Sophia Chisom) is hoarding a secret.
Admittedly, the film has a religious, cultural, and emotional base to explore. Junior’s apathy towards religion and opposing religious worldviews is a contrasting trait in the film. From a cultural standpoint, Ruky and Junior’s blossoming relationship and Junior’s mother’s antagonism to it recall an online conversation about tribalism. At its emotional core is the test of the strength of Ruky and Junior’s relationship. However, the film needs to articulate the subject matter it intends to flatter attention on. The lovers’ relationship is passively given attention, making it impossible for the audience to launder enthusiastic responses towards them. Although there is a subtle belief that the dissonance in Junior’s family is occasioned due to his estrangement, there is meager justification for this. Thus, even when their family is crumbling, the passive treatment of the numerous subject matter in the film makes it impossible for the audience to respond.
Keezyto, who plays the lead in Yahoo+, returns in Uno. Despite the emotional and psychological demands the film requires of him, Keezyto’s performance doesn’t meet up. There is a dispassionate energy the actors bring to their performance. While Owoh and Eliogu — two veterans, performances occasionally inspire admiration, other actors’ performances are lacking. Watching the actors’ performances is akin to watching actors in a rehearsal room reading their dialogue without discernible emotional interpretation. In scenes where charged performances are expected, actors bring casual performances.
Understandably, Njoku is still beginning his filmmaking career, and mistakes are expected. But, much is expected of Njoku, credited with writing and directing Yahoo+, which makes a very blunt statement of his artistry. While one can extend the grace given to his debut film Uno: The F in Family, strong opinions should be passed about how his recent film contrasts, in a negative light, his debut film.