Lugard

Movies as an art form, mirror society through representing aspects of life on-screen. This is why it’s become common to use movies as a medium for social commentary; to draw attention to the brutal realities of life. It is in this fashion that director, Tunde Olaoye brings Lugard, a movie which delves into the consequences of wrong choices and the dangers of cultism. However, for a movie which carries such morals, there is a lot to be concerned about.

The movie follows the life of its titular character – Lugard (Quadri Qidad), a university student and repentant cultist whose past comes to haunt him. The story unfolds with Powerline/Lugard trying to escape from a cult group but he gets caught. Just when he’s about to be killed, thunder strikes, a gunshot is heard and he’s saved by a stroke of luck. At this point in the movie, there are a few questions on my mind; what is Lugard’s relationship with the gang? Who shot the gun and is Lugard in more trouble?

Written by Tunde Olaoye, Quadri Qidad and Segun Akejeje, the movie features a simple plot that tries to be progressive but falters under the weight of slow pacing and disjointed sub-plots. This is due to the attempt to weave through too many issues within the plot. The storytelling is plagued by a lack of excitement and confidence. Scenes drag on longer than necessary, resulting in viewer fatigue. Characters like Francis (Obodoakor Emelie) and Professor Chase (Tunde Adeyemo) are introduced and killed off without proper establishment of their backstory; it makes you wonder if they were necessary to the plot development to begin with.

The story falls further with the portrayal of its protagonist – Lugard. Quadri Qidad’s lacklustre performance not only diminishes his on-screen presence but also dampens the performances of stellar co-stars like Matilda (Omowunmi Dada) and Mary (Kehinde Bankole). Particularly, the semi-intimate scenes with the aforementioned characters lack the desired depth and emotional impact you would expect from a love interest. His inability to convey depth and establish influence as the lead actor hampers the overall viewing experience. With a lead actor who fails to command the screen and a story that lacks vigour, the movie faces an uphill battle to engage and captivate its audience. Even seasoned actors like Zack Orji (The Vice Chancellor) Norbert Young (Pro Lambo) and Gabriel Afolayan (Little) struggle to salvage the story from its meandering course.

The film could have benefited significantly from sharper directing. The disjointed plots and poor pacing suggest a lack of cohesive vision, hindering the potential impact of the story. Nollywood’s persistent issue of drowning talented actors and crisp cinematography in deficient storytelling is glaring in Lugard, and it underscores the need for a fundamental shift in the industry’s approach to filmmaking.

The industry must confront the pervasive issue of poor storytelling. While exceptional actors grace the screen, their efforts are futile if the underlying narrative fails to captivate and impress. There needs to be a collective effort within Nollywood to address this critical issue, emphasizing the urgent need for a reevaluation of storytelling techniques.

Beyond the storytelling, there are major concerns over the technical aspects of the movie such as Lugard’s inconsistent complexion throughout the film. The abrupt shift from light to dark skin tone remains unexplained, creating an unintentional distraction for the audience. This oversight highlights the importance of attention to detail in cinematography and continuity. 

The issue of inconsistency extends beyond just storytelling, through erratic color grading and lighting choices. This discrepancy is particularly noticeable in scenes, such as the moment when Francis receives news of his retention by the company. The discordant palette fails to harmonize with the actors’ skin tones, underscoring the need for a meticulous approach to cinematography. In addition, language use is everything but simple and this poses a problem for the average viewer; nobody wants to check the dictionary each time a character uses a verbose word.

Delving deeper into the visual aspects, the visual effects and makeup suffer from a palpable lack of professionalism, presenting themselves as in need of expert refinement. Furthermore, the deployment of flashbacks within the narrative, intended to elucidate key plot points, occasionally becomes a source of confusion rather than offering the desired clarity. This narrative device, when employed haphazardly, disrupts the cohesive flow of the storyline, necessitating a strategic reassessment of its utilization to ensure it serves its intended purpose without compromising viewer comprehension. 

In all, Lugard is a testament to the fact that simplicity is the ultimate sophistication as it movie grapples with fundamental issues that hinder its potential for success; issues that could have been avoided through a simple and more coordinated process.