Impressions From Ogechi Nwobia’s “Hunter’s Game” Episode 1

You might remember Michael Akinrogunde (aka Ama Psalmist) from his AccelerateTv Filmmaker Project short film, “Penance“. Well the Psalmist is back again and this time in collaboration with Ogechi Nwobia (aka Oge Writes) as they bring to life Nwobia’s 2016 online written series – Hunter’s Game.

Hunter’s Game is a suspense filled thriller that follows a seemingly normal and loving couple in the first episode, where the young lady – Leila, turns out not to be the person she has been portraying herself to be. The series stars Ade Laoye, O.C Ukeje, Ibrahim Suleiman, Gideon Oghenetega, Tope Tedela and Asa’ah Samuel. It is written and produced by Ogechi Nwobia and directed by Michael ‘Ama Psalmist’ Akinrogunde.

The initial most striking thing about this is the congregation of talent on the screen. The opening scene has O.C Ukeje laying in bed next to Ade Laoye – and forgive my insulting ignorance – but I had never fully realized just how talented Laoye is until this moment. The ease with which she moves in front of the camera almost as though its not there, and her ability to stand her own in a frame alongside the O.C Ukeje was enamoring and utterly impressive. As the episode goes on, this fluidity only increases as she sells you every aspect of her character and pulls you into the world of Leila and the double life she leads. This is a testament to her skill but also a testament to the skill of the director behind the screens.

Then there is O.C Ukeje. There’s a reason they call him ‘the great’ and it has everything to do with his skill. Watching his facial expressions alone in the first scene here is reaffirmation of his greatness in that he can say so much while saying absolutely nothing and convince you entirely of exactly what he said.

These two together alone is enough reason to countdown to the next episode of Hunter’s Game but fortunately, that’s not all there is to look forward to. As a thriller, the story is full of twists and turns but not in the Pascal Amanfo kind of way. They are not just haphazardly thrown into the story to the extent where it becomes expected and almost a nuisance. When the twists show up, it keeps you wondering and as it continues to unravel your interest is piqued.

Needless to say, we can’t wait to find out where the story is going. I am tempted to find the written versions that were published online in 2006 and read them first, but because I don’t want to be comparing my imagination with the rendering, I will fight the urge.

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