Ogbanje

With a name like Ogbanje, how could I resist? This film seeks to emulate those housegirl witch movies that were so popular in those days, films I frankly think they should make more of. You can never go wrong with a witchcraft film. And this one doesn’t, it even introduces novel concepts such as temptation and suspense.

The plot is surprisingly complicated but easy to follow. A housemaid is brought into the house that then proceeds to recruit all the children and neighbouring housemaids. It is interesting and quite short, four parts of less than forty minutes each. The characters are interesting, there is serious suspense and there is drama. The children are laughably spoilt, and I had to pause it for a while to marvel at their understanding of how house girls cannot be beautiful and are always ugly. You empathize with some of the characters, and although the ending is a bit rushed, it is satisfactory to watch.

The acting is good as well, especially from the house girls, and most especially from the girls.  Regina Daniels, as always dazzles and newcomer Adokiye Ngozi Kyrian carries her own. Good acting from the adults as well including Joyce Kalu, Chinyere Winfred, Oma Nnadi and Uche Opoduta, which really lends itself to the drama and doesn’t detract from the film at all. We may have actually finally reached the point where child actors are good.

The soundtrack is really good, the visuals are crisp and clear, the audio is great. It is a well-produced and directed film. But, what I really want to talk about is the special effects.  It was really really really ambitious; I am not sure whether to term it good or bad. You just have to watch and wait for the scenes where one housegirl kills her madam.

In conclusion, I will wholly recommend this movie; it was a surprise to find this movie good. I went into it expecting a witchcraft film to pass the time but it ticks a lot of boxes. BTW Did anyone read the novel ‘Dizzy Angel’ in school, now won’t that make a good movie?