Vibrant. Regal. Beautiful.
Words not only to describe the Premiere of the movie ‘Isoken,’ but the film itself. The theme of the night was "African Royalty," so the Landmark centre was full of men in traditional outfits from different Nigerian regions, those who rocked unconventional trad-inspired looks, like Akah Nnani in an aṣọ-òkè jacket, and then there were the ladies. The ladies did not come to play! From the director Jade Osiberu’s gown made of a pink shimmery aṣọ-òkè, cast member Damilola Attoh’s Black dress topped off with a beautiful head tie, guests in traditional coral beads and head-dresses and full on geles with ìró and buba, there was so much fashion eye-candy, I was overwhelmed. I love a good theme!
Once in the hall, there were performances by Femi Leye, new kids on the block Bemyoda and Falana, both of whom are in the movie, and the legendary Sir Victor Uwaifo, who showed us some moves I didn’t even know a 70 year old could have! All this while enjoying a really yummy dinner and drinks. Food is bae, and so is good music; 5 stars to the organizers on that.
After performances and a speech from the director, Jade Osiberu, we settled in to watch the film. Isoken is the story of a 34 year old successful single woman with younger married siblings, whose overbearing mother is pressuring her to get married. Sound familiar? Yup.
The film itself was thoroughly enjoyable. Dakore Egbuson as the lead, with brilliant comedy from Funke Akindele-Bello as her friend Agnes and Lydia Forson as Kuku, did a fantastic job showing how a lady can have it together in every way, yet still be treated like an alien if she hasn’t had kids or gotten married by a certain age. Acting veterans Patrick Doyle and Tina Mba were great as Isoken’s parents, while TV presenter and media darling Bolanle Olukanni made her solid film debut as Isoken’s younger sister.
This isn’t meant to be a review, and I don’t want to give away the whole plot, but this film is one you will enjoy. You will laugh. You will see in the characters someone you know, or maybe even yourself; you will love the beautiful costumes, kudos to Dami of Fierce and Modish for a fantastic job styling the movie, and you will have more than a few jaw dropping moments.
After the movie, the cast and director walked out to a standing ovation, and then we got down to the after party! Who doesn’t love a good after-party, right? Free flowing Moet and small chops plus good music? I almost forgot it was Sunday night!
All good things must come to an end, so a few selfies and some dance moves later, I called it a night.
I will definitely go see it again when it comes out on the 16th of June, and I hope you do too. Not just because it’s a Nigerian movie, but because it is a well told, well shot film, which I think is another feather in the “New Nollywood” cap.
