Lisabi, the new Netflix Original flick is a cultural celebration of Yoruba with a particular focus on how Egba liberated itself from the Oyo empire. It tells the story of an uprising against a despotic king and his messengers. Alaafin of Oyo, played by Odunlade Adekola becomes angry with towns that derail in their yearly food and crops delivery to the Oyo empire.
His tribute collectors headed by Ibrahim Chatta (Sangodeyi) were bloodier. They did the unthinkable, had the best women to themselves, violated them, and became a big headache to the Egba people. While the people found some of these acts wanting, only a few of them talked.Â
Sokenu (Mr Macaroni), a farmer who once had a clash with tribute collectors at Edioke palm wine joint. The bloodthirsty ‘ilari Oyo’ turned his joyous day into a sad one, before he died, he took down ten of the tribute collectors.
Lisabi, Sokenu’s bosom friend, never recovered from his demise. His death motivated him, and in a domino effect, he encouraged his people (Egba) to fight for freedom. Clandestinely, he urged the people to help each other on their farms, an age-long practice of Yoruba people called Aaro. This made farming easier to execute. While they were doing others, he had his own plan. He knew his turn of Aaro would be tougher than farmwork.
By the time it was his turn, he wanted more. A revolt against the king’s tribute collectors. He wanted to indirectly confront lording Alaafin. With help from spiritual forces, they embolden themselves, preparing for the onslaught. The film ended with the beheading of Sangodeyi while the viewers await part two of the movie which is slated for release in January 2025.
The relationship between Sokenu and his wife, Abebi, could have been expanded, but it was rushed. While Sokenu was excited about dating Abebi, the same cannot be said about her.
Ikeola, the Alarina (intermediary between Sokenu & Abebi), so many questions beg for answers in the movie. When did she tell Abebi about Sokenu’s interest in her? What was her response? What was the feedback from their parents? The romantic relationship could have been stretched, a little bit. If not for anything, the viewers needed to know more about how her (Abebi) interest shifted from Lisabi to Sokenu.
The portrayal of Alaafin of Oyo is remarkable. He scarcely speaks, and whenever he does, he gives orders.
The opening first three scenes already introduced the viewers to the imbroglio the villagers were facing. In the remaining scene, the solution to the problem was being formulated.
Lisabi, the titular character, is a man of different parts. At the start of the movie, his tenacity and hard work on the farm was shown. He moved from being naive to being the symbol of hope and change to the people. His mannerisms and posture change, it even becomes worse when he loses Sokenu. Expectedly, he should have been vulnerable or depressed, instead, he becomes more emboldened to fight on, sticking to the pact between him and Sokenu in his dying moments.
The historical correctness of this movie is a topic for erudite history scholars to dissect, however, Lisabi, as a movie, is a pointer to what occurred during the time of our ancestors. A recollection of how things were being done before modernization. Two dominant examples are when Lisabi tells Sokenu about the need for his wife not to meet him at home and also, the need for his sexual proactiveness and economic viability as a man.
From his groundbreaking work on Jagun Jagun, it is exhilarating to see Lateef Adedimeji on Lisabi. For once, he is doing things on his own terms. He holds the paint to the canvas, and he calls on the best hand, from Niyi Akinmolayan who directed the movie, to Tolu Obanro who handled the pristine sound, not forgetting the effect, colour grading and editing. Beyond minor errors, which are forgivable, Lisabi might become a soon-to-be classic movie.
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