O-Town (film)

O-Town

First film poster
Directed by C.J. Obasi
Produced by Oge Obasi
C.J. Obasi
Written by C.J. Obasi
Screenplay by C.J. Obasi
Starring
  • Paul Utomi
  • Brutus Richard
  • Ifeanyi Delvin Ijeoma
  • Chucks Chyke
  • Ifu Ennada
  • Lucy Ameh
  • Kalu Ikeagwu
  • Olu Alvin
Music by Beatoven
Wache Pollen
Cinematography Tunji Akinsehinwa
Edited by C.J. Obasi
Production
company
Fiery Film Company
Release dates
2015
Running time
129 minutes
Country Nigeria
Language English

O-Town is a Nigerian crime gangster film written and directed by C.J. Obasi.[1] The film stars Paul Utomi as Peace, a hustler at the center of various issues in the small town of Owerri, also known as O-Town.[2][3] The film's music was composed by Beatoven and Wache Pollen and filming took place in Owerri.[1][4]

Of the film, Obasi has described as a "crime-gangster thriller. It’s a semi-autobiographical tale because it draws from some of the crime stories I knew and heard; growing up in a small town called Owerri in Imo State. It’s also my exploration into genre Film-making, where I explore basically my love for film."[4]

Story

The film is set in a lightly fictionalised version of Owerri ruled over by a sadistic gangster, The Chairman (Kalu Ikeagwu). The story is told from the viewpoint of an omnipresent, anonymous filmmaker and it follows the travails of Peace (Paul Utomi), a small time hustler with an ambition to become the head of the streets.[3][5]

Cast

Reception

Release and reception

It first premiered at the 2015 edition of the Africa International Film Festival held in Lagos.[6][7] Nigerian critic Oris Aigbokhaevbolo described it as "overindulgent but brilliant".[5]

Goteborg Film Festival's artistic director Jonas Holmberg described O-Town as a “Tarantinesque” drama.[8]

Official Selection

Awards and recognition

Year Award Category Recipient Result
2016 Screen Nation Film and Television Awards Favourite International Movie O-Town Nominated [11][12][13]
2016 Africa Movie Academy Awards Most Promising Actor Ifu Ennada Nominated [14][15]
2016 Africa Movie Academy Awards Best Nigerian Film O-Town Nominated [14][15]
2016 Africa Movie Academy Awards Achievement in Soundtrack O-Town Won [16][17]

References

  1. 1 2 Izuzu, Chidumga. "Check out official poster for C.J. Fiery's upcoming film". Pulse.ng. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  2. Obenson, Tambay A. "New Teaser Trailer for C.J. Obasi's Upcoming Gangsta Tale 'O-Town'". Retrieved 2015-09-07.
  3. 1 2 "Nigerian Filmmaker C.J. Obasi Follows Up His Acclaimed Gangsta Tale in 'O-Town'". www.nigeriainfo.fm. 5 May 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  4. 1 2 "'Every single day I spent not being a film-maker was torture to me.' – C.J. 'Fiery' Obasi". 360Nobs.com. Retrieved 2015-09-12.
  5. 1 2 Aigbokhaevbolo, Oris (22 November 2015). "Oris Aigbokhaevbolo: CJ Obasi's 'O-Town' is Overindulgent but Brilliant". Bellanaija. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  6. 1 2 Izuzu, Chidumga (12 October 2015). "AFRIFF 2015: Check out full list of selected movies". Pulse.ng. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  7. 1 2 "AFRIFF 2015 Final Selection". AFRIFF. 21 October 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  8. 1 2 Keslassy, Elsa (2016-01-20). "'The Danish Girl"s Tom Hooper To Receive Goteborg's Honorary Dragon Award". Retrieved 2016-08-06.
  9. Husseini, Shaibu (21 February 2016). "Nollywood Shines At Goteborg International Film Festival". Retrieved 2016-08-06.
  10. Dibebi, Ese (2016-01-24). "Move Over "Ojuju" & "O-Town", "Otokoto" Promises To Be Fiery Film's Darkest Work". Retrieved 2016-08-06.
  11. "11th Screen Nation Film and Television Awards 2016 Nominations Announced. Kojo & Brenda Emmanus to Host". 2016-02-23. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
  12. Hudson, Rykesha (21 March 2016). "Lenny Henry's biopic wins big at Screen Nation Awards". www.voice-online.co.uk. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  13. "11th Screen Nation Film & Television Awards 2016: Rewarding Excellence Celebrating Diversity". Retrieved 2016-08-06.
  14. 1 2 Dagbue, Ike (2016-05-16). "PRESS RELEASE: AMAA Announces 2016 Nominations List". Retrieved 2016-08-06.
  15. 1 2 Bankole, Taofik (2016-05-16). "Full List Of Nominees For 2016 African Movie Academy Awards | Nigerian Entertainment Today - Nigeria's Number 1 Entertainment Daily". Retrieved 2016-08-06.
  16. Dagbue, Ike (2016-06-16). "AMAA 2016 Award Winners". Retrieved 2016-08-06.
  17. Izuzu, Chidumga. "AMAA 2016: Daniel K Daniel, "Dry," Thishiwe Ziqubu among winners". Retrieved 2016-08-06.
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