The movie Ajaga (The Yoke) sheds dramatic gentle on the rising instances of home and sexual violence in Nigeria, with specific emphasis on church buildings.
THE nameless quote, “The unhappy factor about betrayal is that it by no means comes out of your enemies; it comes from these you belief essentially the most,” sums up the essence of the movie 'Ajaga: The Yoke'.
The easily produced spiritual movie, which will likely be launched in cinemas throughout the nation and in Ghana from September 6, options a few of Nigeria’s best artists together with Femi Jacobs, Tope Olowoniyan, Carol King, Jaiye Kuti, Tomiwa Sage, Lola Sensible, Tory Thompson, Francis Onwochei and Adenike Odubawo, who additionally serves as producer.
The movie, shot on location in Lekki, Lagos, will not be your traditional Nollywood fare. It lifts the veil on the truths that lie beneath the floor of up to date management. It highlights the deep-rooted manipulation, abuse and exploitation in the home of God.
Crucially, the movie, directed by Remi Ibinola, feedback on the rising incidence of kid abuse in Nigeria and the way some holiness advocates exploit ladies and youngsters for their very own achieve. The United Nations Kids's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) states that six out of 10 youngsters expertise some type of violence – one in 4 women and 10 % of boys have been victims of sexual violence. Of the youngsters who reported violence, fewer than 5 in 100 acquired any help. That is alarming and deserves consideration.
Remarkably, Ajaga does this by the uncompromising story of Pastor David (Femi Jacobs) and Bolusefe (Odubawo), founders of the True Coronary heart Christian Meeting who’ve had fertility issues. Regardless of their finest efforts and prayers, the couple is unable to conceive. They resort to adoption and take two younger women into their house. On the similar time, Bolusefe continues her work as a number one advocate towards home and sexual violence.
She is a profitable prosecutor who will get justice for victims, together with efficiently prosecuting the son of a high-ranking authorities official who raped a lady. However unbeknownst to her, evil is brewing that would destroy her house. The storm and its aftermath are a cornerstone of the movie that viewers will discover thrilling. In contrast to another movies, there is no such thing as a deux machina decision to the battle. The decision is logical and neat. Furthermore, 'Ajaga: the Yoke' advocates questioning the established order and demanding accountability from these in energy, together with pastors/imams who most Nigerians revere.
Talking after final week’s media screening in Lagos, producer/lead actress Adenike Odubawo gave extra perception into her motivations for the movie.
“'Ajaga'” is way more than a film to me. It’s a story that displays the struggles of the ladies behind males of God. It’s a very relatable story as a result of it isn’t the primary time worldwide that we hear about our spiritual leaders, no matter their religion. Each time I see a revelation about pastors, I inform myself that I’d give something to be a fly on the wall of their home. I need to see the home, what it seems to be like and the way the lady takes it, as a result of we don’t hear her facet of the story. Is she okay together with her husband? Is she proud of the main points? Does she take his facet? Is she on the facet of the victims? So I made a decision to reply that by writing the story. And I made a decision that it was not going to be a redemption story.
She additionally spoke concerning the filming expertise, noting that “it was an Ajaga [burden] within the sense of every part. There was a day after we had been filming the church scenes and there was a hearth. I requested how we might pay if we burned this constructing down. It was robust.”
On the challenges of being a producer and lead actor, Odubawo mentioned: “It was robust as a result of the story is kind of delicate and we had been taking pictures on a big scale. It's a giant undertaking. To deal with that and swap to a lead actor was fairly a problem, nevertheless it's all due to my director, who gave me a comfortable touchdown. She all the time gave me an indication and advised me to change from producer to actor. It was easy.”
Director Remi Ibinola was grateful for the chance to direct the movie, admitting that she initially assumed Odubawo would star together with her. “She approached me and mentioned I’ve a script that I would like you to direct. I attempted to get her to depart as a result of I felt like she was one of many individuals who was losing my time, nevertheless it seems she was severe. She wished me to direct as a result of she felt a lady's perspective could be higher, and I'm proud of the consequence.”
Supervising producer Adeyemi Olanrewaju additionally gave his opinion on the theme, additional explaining that the main focus is on victims of abuse, who’re largely ladies. “Ladies are those who’re most affected by home violence and sexual abuse. More often than not, the perpetrators stroll round as if nothing occurred. Some males additionally make excuses for the perpetrators. We have to take a look at the difficulty from the attitude of the lady who’s affected, the ache and all that she goes by. We felt it was proper to inform the story, particularly as a result of many of the victims are normally intimidated as a result of the perpetrators are leaders or well-placed individuals who really feel untouchable. We felt we must always inform a narrative that everybody can relate to, particularly with clergy who empowers most individuals. Folks love clergy; they revere them and consider that they’re infallible, however we’re human first then males/ladies of God.”
Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, head of the Lagos State Home and Sexual Violence Company, which recorded 6,389 instances of sexual and gender-based violence in 2023, strongly supported the movie. Vivour-Adeniyi, who was represented by Joke LadeneganOgini, mentioned it will assist the company in its work by elevating consciousness of what sexual and gender-based violence is and the way to take care of it, together with reporting it to the authorities.
“In the event you commit the crime, you’ll get the punishment. That’s how we work on the Lagos State Home and Sexual Violence Company. We might be very grateful if we had extra consciousness from the media and the performing fraternity and they’d launch a movie like this. We get stories of sexual abuse from in all places: from males, the aged and the younger. In the event you see somebody abusing somebody, name us; we’ll help you. Our help is holistic.”
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