O-Town (film)

O-Town is a Nigerian crime gangster film written and directed by C.J. Obasi.[2] 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.[3][4] The film's music was composed by Beatoven and Wache Pollen and filming took place in Owerri.[2][5]

O-Town
First film poster
Directed byC.J. Obasi
Written byC.J. Obasi
Screenplay byC.J. Obasi
Produced byOge Obasi
C.J. Obasi
Starring
CinematographyTunji Akinsehinwa
Edited byC.J. Obasi
Music byBeatoven
Wache Pollen
Production
company
Fiery Film Company
Release date
  • November 2015 (2015-11) (African International Film Festival)[1]
Running time
129 minutes
CountryNigeria
LanguageEnglish

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."[5]

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.[4][6]

Cast
  • Paul Utomi as Peace
  • Brutus Richard as Sheriff
  • Ifeanyi Delvin Ijeoma as Paami
  • Chucks Chyke as The Artiste
  • Ifu Ennada as Amara
  • Lucy Ameh as Jenny
  • Kalu Ikeagwu as The Chairman
  • Olu Alvin as Viper

Reception

Release and reception

It first premiered at the 2015 edition of the Africa International Film Festival held in Lagos.[7][8] Nigerian critic Oris Aigbokhaevbolo described it as "overindulgent but brilliant".[6]

Goteborg Film Festival's artistic director Jonas Holmberg described O-Town as a “Tarantinesque” drama.[9]

Official Selection

Awards and recognition
Year Award Category Recipient Result
2016 Screen Nation Film and Television Awards Favourite International Movie O-Town Nominated [12][13][14]
2016 Africa Movie Academy Awards Most Promising Actor Ifu Ennada Nominated [15][16]
2016 Africa Movie Academy Awards Best Nigerian Film O-Town Nominated [15][16]
2016 Africa Movie Academy Awards Achievement in Soundtrack O-Town Won [17][18]

References
  1. "About Us". 27 July 2014.
  2. Izuzu, Chidumga (29 July 2015). "Check out official poster for C.J. Fiery's upcoming film". Pulse.ng. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  3. Obenson, Tambay A. "New Teaser Trailer for C.J. Obasi's Upcoming Gangsta Tale 'O-Town'". Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  4. "Nigerian Filmmaker C.J. Obasi Follows Up His Acclaimed Gangsta Tale in 'O-Town'". www.nigeriainfo.fm. 5 May 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  5. "'Every single day I spent not being a film-maker was torture to me.' – C.J. 'Fiery' Obasi". 360Nobs.com. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  6. Aigbokhaevbolo, Oris (22 November 2015). "Oris Aigbokhaevbolo: CJ Obasi's 'O-Town' is Overindulgent but Brilliant". Bellanaija. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  7. Izuzu, Chidumga (12 October 2015). "AFRIFF 2015: Check out full list of selected movies". Pulse.ng. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  8. "AFRIFF 2015 Final Selection". AFRIFF. 21 October 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  9. Keslassy, Elsa (20 January 2016). "'The Danish Girl"s Tom Hooper To Receive Goteborg's Honorary Dragon Award". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  10. Husseini, Shaibu (21 February 2016). "Nollywood Shines At Goteborg International Film Festival". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  11. Dibebi, Ese (24 January 2016). "Move Over "Ojuju" & "O-Town", "Otokoto" Promises To Be Fiery Film's Darkest Work". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  12. "11th Screen Nation Film and Television Awards 2016 Nominations Announced. Kojo & Brenda Emmanus to Host". 23 February 2016. Archived from the original on 4 April 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  13. Hudson, Rykesha (21 March 2016). "Lenny Henry's biopic wins big at Screen Nation Awards". www.voice-online.co.uk. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  14. "11th Screen Nation Film & Television Awards 2016: Rewarding Excellence Celebrating Diversity". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  15. Dagbue, Ike (16 May 2016). "PRESS RELEASE: AMAA Announces 2016 Nominations List". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  16. Bankole, Taofik (16 May 2016). "Full List Of Nominees For 2016 African Movie Academy Awards | Nigerian Entertainment Today - Nigeria's Number 1 Entertainment Daily". Archived from the original on 7 August 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  17. Dagbue, Ike (16 June 2016). "AMAA 2016 Award Winners". Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  18. Izuzu, Chidumga (11 June 2016). "AMAA 2016: Daniel K Daniel, "Dry," Thishiwe Ziqubu among winners". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
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