Review by: Agbaoye Tola Adeniyi
The movie Segilola the Villain, which is currently making waves in cinema houses across Nigeria can aptly be titled the ‘Tragedy of the Power-drunk.’
Set in a pre-colonial village in the Yoruba country, the well-paced epic drama tells the story of a heartless and vicious woman who began life’s journey with blood on her hands. Callousness, cold-bloodedness, avarice and arrant betrayal define her persona and the trait featured in every facet of her life to the end.
Written and produced by Funmilayo Omikunle, a highly gifted playwright, script writer, producer and naturalistic actor, ‘Segilola’ introduces a fairy world dominated by men and women with supernatural powers— a world where strength is not measured by wealth and riches alone but by esoteric extraterrestrial powers.
A ruthless wealthy villain, Segilola, played by Funmilayo Omikunle, sets her sights on a wealthy powerful man Alesinloye played by multitalented veteran actor Ibrahim Chatta, over a petty personal grudge of fame because he is a stranger in that village, unleashing a wave of destruction that engulfs not only him but the entire village, threatening the king, Adewunmi, acted by a thespian of consequence, Antar Laniyan and the community’s very survival.
As chaos spreads, the villagers are left wondering: who will rise to challenge Segilola’s merciless grip?
Major actors include Ibrahim Chatta, Odunlade Adekola, Bimbo Akintola, Fathia Balogun, Funmilayo Omikunle and Abolore Akande(9ice).
Segilola’s theme goes beyond the razzmatazz of phantasmagoria and is more impactful as a major interrogation of morality and ethical values.
The movie opens with a dilemma: Segilola’s employer has impregnated an employee. And, in his desperate search for an escape route to hide his shame, he unwittingly sets in motion the series of shocking and fateful events which ultimately result in the emergence of the titular infamous character. As the story unfolds, Segilola becomes increasingly daring, vicious, and notorious, considering herself impregnable and invincible as she buys position, recognition, relevance, spiritual power and protection from witches.
In Segilola’s vaulting eyes, the town’s monarch, Antar Olaniyan, his wife, the Olori, Bimbo Akintola, the chiefs and elders of the community as well as her main protagonists … Fokoko and his presumed son, Ibrahim Chatta, Chatta’s wife ..Fathia Williams (Balogun), are mere simpletons and she dismisses them with rich and potent dialogue.
Segilola the villain epitomizes a character who builds her entire life journey on crime, criminality and the horrendous betrayal of loyalty and trust.
A career criminals never know where or when to stop until they meet their ignominious end.
Segilola succeeds brilliantly at conveying its core message. The casting director in particular deserves commendation for a synergistic and natural cast dynamics.
The viewer is drawn into and immersed in a picturesque world, with sublime scenery and appropriate use of dramatic special effects.
With this classic theatrical release, Funmilayo Omikunle has confirmed her ranking as one of the top script-writers, top producers and top actors in the theatre industry in Nigeria while Ibrahim Chatta, Odunlade Adekola, Bimbo Akintola remain priceless jewels. Doyens like Modupe Johnson, (Fali Werepe), Fausat Balogun (Madam Saje) Babatunde Bamgbode
(Fokoko), Peter Fatomilola, Agesinjaweifa Obarisa, Fathia Williams Balogun, Ayo Ewebiyi, Toyosi Adesanya and Ayo Olaiya play the legends they are.
Segilola is indeed a great production enriched with great suspense, star-studded cast, superb cinematography, very professional costuming and thrilling choreography, audible, distinct and convincing dialogue.. with all the majesty befitting and depicting the era.
A must watch.
Review by:
*Agbaoye Tola Adeniyi*.
Chairman, TAFTA (Tola Adeniyi Foundation for Theatre and the Arts)
