Charles Novia on Izu Ojukwu's '76

(By Charles Novia) - If there is a movie I would recommend for anyone to watch anytime, that movie would be ’76, Directed by the phenomenal Izu Ojukwu.

Usually, as a rule, I do not review or critique my colleagues movies, being a Nollywood Filmmaker myself. I limit my critiques to Performance Art and other pop culture highlights within such productions but in this case, I can’t help myself but to break my rule for once. And that is because, take it from me, this movie defines genres and breaks barriers.

I was opportuned to watch ’76 at the Africa International Film Festival, where it was the deserved closing film and when the final credits rolled, I was part of the enthusiastic audience which gave the movie a standing ovation. It was simply wonderful, a film far removed from the bandwagon fares and a film which can travel to any film festival in the world and hold its own as well as make Nigeria and Africa proud! Of course, in the latter case, the film is already doing just that with screenings at The Toronto International Film Festival and the BFI festival in London and you can bet that more will come.

So, what’s so special and defining about ’76 which has got tongues buzzing and my fingers pounding excitedly on the keyboard?

First, ’76 is one of the few retro or period movies with high production values. There are a few filmmakers who can achieve a spectacular production which demands strict adherence to period looks, locale and visuals and to be candid, one would never have guessed that this was something an Izu Ojukwu could totally pull off, what with his past movies which are usually contemporary. But with a professional Production Designer like Pat Nebo, who is just about the best in that field in the country, the look and feel of the subject year was visually achieved. The movie really took us back to 1976. Simple. Evoking pleasant and wistful memories for an older generation and awe and fascination for a younger audience, the movie shows us encapsulated vignettes of dramatised memories for generations of all ages. It was easy to travel back in time while watching the movie and the reality of the present only hits one when the cinema lights come back on.

Secondly, the acting and the actors in ’76 were fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. We get to see Ramsey Noah in a new light and though we know he is a good actor, ’76 shows how and why he just might be one of the great actors we have underrated because of his stereotyped roles in the past. But with this movie, one gets the sense and feeling that Ramsey is beginning to swim out of the sea of his erstwhile limitations and would be exploring newer adventures of method acting when such comes to him. Playing the part of a beguiled Captain in ’76, who has to use his wits and wiles to escape from the jaws of a coup plot and certain death, Ramsey shows his intensity and prowess as never before in this movie. It was as if from the onset as a person, he knew that this movie would redefine him and one can see that he gave it his all.

Rita Dominic, who played Ramsey’s wife in the movie, was no less intense and dedicated. She was simply amazing. There are few actresses who I can bet, could interprete that role with the panache and prowess Rita gave to the character. She was tailor made for the role and her training as a Thespian actually came to the fore in this movie; her intrinsic values as an actress were tested and she gave a powerful portrayal.

There were a couple of other actors who stood out. Memry Savanu plays a seemingly sexed-up and naughty Army wife whose looks and mischief in the beginning of the movie was a throwback of the Swinging Sixties. Chidi Mokeme was mellowed into acting intensely in such a way one has never seen him before, perhaps a gummed moustache and the period costumes accentuated the solemnity of his visualisation. But it was the Major, the Investigating Officer of the Coup Plot, who was really my pick as the Breakout Actor in the movie. Mind, not Best Actor but I mean a surprise revelation. I later discovered that he is Adonijah Owiriwa, the Producer of the movie. He made good use of his Smiling Face, using it to lead the culprits and the audience on as if he was a kind-hearted fellow but showing a efficient and ruthless side of him when he was compelled to turn on the screws.

Thirdly, the sheer ambition of this project deserves commendation. Kudos must be given to the financier of the movie, Prince Tonye Princewill for the investment. To be honest, it’s not as if such an ambition has not been realised before in Nollywood when one remembers movies such as ‘Battle of Love’ and ‘Across the Niger’ which were period pieces of same ambitions but this ’76 was an elevated ambition which had a technical advantage and a big budget. The Producers of the movie said it took seven years to make. I would argue that the length it took to make the movie is not necessarily the determinant of the final outcome. Being a Producer myself, I can appreciate though that some Sweat, Tears and Blood went into this fare…and it was well worth it.

I will not be too effusive in my praise of this movie not to point out a couple of slight downturns which I noticed professionally. First, in-as-much-as it is an engaging story, I do believe the movie would have more pace with some more editing. I am told this would be done before it hits the cinemas as what I watched was the Film Festival Cut. Then, I sincerely think that Yinka Edwards, one of the best cinematographers in the country, was a bit challenged more than ever in this movie. He did well though and I will leave it at that.

In any case, as ’76 opens in the cinemas in Nigeria this weekend, I urge everyone to go out and watch this movie. It has a money value guarantee, an entertainment value and also is undoubtedly part of our cinematic history which will be a reference point in years to come.

And the last reason? It is a good film. Period.