Gangs of Lagos

Gangs of Lagos is a Nigerian action thriller crime film produced and directed by Jade Osiberu, The film stars Tobi Bakre, Adesua Etomi, Chike, Iyabo Ojo, Chioma Akpotha,Zlatan, Bimbo Ademoye, Yvonne Jegede, Yinka Quadri, Pasuma and Idowu Adeyemi .^[2] The film tells the story of three best friends Tobi Bakre (Obalola), Chike (Ify) and Adesua Etomi (Gift) who grew up in Isale Eko, a neighborhood controlled by politically connected gangs. As rival factions clash and violence erupts, the trio finds themselves entangled in the escalating gang warfare. Their involvement unravels deep secrets that threaten to upend the very fabric of Isale Eko.

Gangs of Lagos was released by Amazon MGM Studios through Prime Video on April 7, 2023. The film received generally mixed reviews from critics.^[3]The film earned ₦230 million (US$140,109.77 in 2023) in Nigeria. Within the first 20 days of its release in 2023.

Gangs of Lagos deals with several themes, including loyalty, ambition, and struggles within the criminal underworld. Critics reviewed the film positively, praising its cinematography, production design, acting, and writing. The film also won several awards, including Best Young/Promising Actor, and Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 2023 African Movie Academy Awards.

Gangs of Lagos is about a group of friends whose lives have revolved around crime and violence since their childhood in the Isale Eko area of Lagos, Nigeria. A young boy, Obalola, robs a bag from a woman in traffic with his friend, an act which results in a summon from the king of the streets, known as "Eleniyan" or "Owner of Men", who lauds his confidence and ability. Amazed by his intellect and courage, a gang leader named 'Nino' (played by Tayo Faniran) shows interest and immediately becomes a father figure to him. Nino, though, wants him to go to school and become something great in life.

Unfortunately, Nino is later found dead, and the dreams he had for Obalola (Tobi Bakre) and his friends Ify (Chike) and Gift (Adesua Etomi) have died with him, as the trio begins to work for his partner Kazeem (Olarotimi Fakunle), a greedy and ruthless leader.

As adults, they continue to play different roles in the gang, until things go sideways when Kazeem murders a rival gang member and pins it on Ify, which results in his gruesome murder. With Ify's surviving friends hellbent on revenge, Obalola discovers several skeletons in Kazeem's closet. Determined to avenge all the loved ones that Kazeem's greed has taken from him, Oba leads a bloody gang war to seek revenge on Kazeem.^[4]

Gang of Lagos, directed by Jade Osiberu and co-produced by Kemi Lala Akindoju, marked the beginning of a strategic three-year partnership between Amazon Prime Video and Osiberu's production company, Greoh Studios.^[6] The film was shot in various locations across Lagos, Nigeria, with a focus on depicting the city's dynamic yet challenging urban life.^[2] Its realistic portrayal of Lagos's environment is central to the narrative, offering an authentic representation of the socio-economic conditions and cultural vibrancy that define the city.^[7]

Lagos Island (left) and Surulere (right), where the film was significantly shot.

Filming for Gang of Lagos took place in 2022, and continued over two months, from the 18th of June 2022 to the 18th of August 2022. principal photography largely occurring in Isale Eko, a neighborhood on Lagos Island known for its historic significance and vibrant atmosphere.^[8] The filmmakers aimed to capture the unique energy of Isale Eko, using real locations to ground the story in the daily realities of Lagos life.^[9]

In addition to Isale Eko, other parts of Lagos were used for shooting, including areas like Lekki and Surulere. These locations provided different backdrops that highlighted the socio-economic contrasts within Lagos, from upscale areas to densely populated neighborhoods.^[8]

In addition to Isale Eko, several other parts of Lagos were used during production to capture different aspects of the city's landscape:

• Lagos Island: Beyond Isale Eko, other parts of Lagos Island were featured in the film, showcasing the contrast between traditional areas and the more modern parts of the city. This contrast highlights the city's dual identity as a place where old meets new.
• Lekki: Some scenes were shot in Lekki, a more affluent area of Lagos known for its upscale housing and commercial centers. This was used to juxtapose the gritty environment of Isale Eko, providing a broader view of Lagos's social and economic disparities.
• Surulere: Known for its blend of residential and commercial spaces, Surulere was another key location used in the film. It added a different urban texture to the movie, showing the day-to-day life of Lagosians in one of the city's most iconic neighborhoods.

The production design of Gang of Lagos aimed to reflect the vibrant yet gritty aesthetic of the city. The team paid close attention to details like the color palette, architecture, and street scenes to create a realistic portrayal of Lagos’s urban life.^[10]

The cinematography, led by Director of Photography (DoP), emphasized dynamic camera movements to capture the energy and chaos of Lagos’s streets. This approach was used to create an immersive experience, allowing viewers to feel as though they were part of the bustling environment that shapes the characters’ lives.^[11]

During the production of Gangs of Lagos, the filmmakers faced challenges while shooting in some of the more sensitive areas of Lagos, particularly in the densely populated neighborhoods known as the ghettos.^[12] Chioma Akpotha, one of the lead actors in the film, revealed that the crew had to engage with local "area boys"—a term commonly used in Nigeria to describe groups of young men who often control activities in certain urban areas—to ensure a smooth filming process.^[9]

Gang of Lagos was released on April 7, 2023, exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. It is one of the first Nigerian original films released directly on the platform as part of Amazon’s investment in Nollywood. The film's release marked a significant step in the collaboration between Nigerian filmmakers and global streaming services, expanding the reach of Nollywood to international audiences.^[13]

The choice to release the film on a streaming platform was intended to reach a broad audience, including the Nigerian diaspora and fans of African cinema worldwide. The release strategy capitalized on the growing popularity of digital platforms in Africa and the demand for localized content that reflects African stories and experiences.

Gangs of Lagos earned a total of ₦230 million in Nigeria. Within the first 20 days of its release in 2023, the film garnered 15,000 views, showcasing its popularity and strong reception.^[14]

The performances of Adesua Etomi, Tobi Bakre and Chike (singer) garnered widespread critical acclaim, earning Adesua Etomi and Tobi Bakre African Movie Academy Awards nominations.

Gangs of Lagos received widespread critical acclaim. The cast was lauded, especially Tobi Bakre, Chike, and Adesua Etomi. The film holds an 82% approval rating on the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 10 reviews with an average rating of 4/5.^[15] Seyi Lasisi of the Afrocritik gave the film 3/5 stars and said: "Gangs of Lagos, like Brotherhood, isn’t fiction. It is a cinematic exploration of our lives as Nigerians. It spotlights the damage Nigerian societies and Nigerians are compelled to witness when the government is apathetic to developing and solving social issues".^[16]

Shola-Adido Oladotun from Premium Times praised Gangs of Lagos, noting that "the Cinematography is top-tier, with various elements making each scene visually appealing and fitting for its genre." He also highlighted the ambitious choice of locations, stating, "It is remarkable that the movie was filmed in real-life places within Isale Eko." However, Oladotun expressed that the film might have worked better as a TV series, as it would have allowed for deeper character development, not only for Obalola and Gift but also for characters like Kazeem. He rated the film 8/10 stars.^[17]

The film's depiction and characterization of the Eyo masquerades, an important aspect of Lagos culture, proved to be controversial. Many respondents on social media felt that the filmmakers had shown disrespect for the traditional institution that the masquerades are part of.^[18][19] One group of Lagosians threatened a lawsuit in response,^[20] and another followed through and took the matter to court.^[21][22]

Amongst those who also condemned the film on these grounds were the Lagos State government,^[23] the Kosoko royal family of Lagos,^[24] Chief Adebola Dosunmu of the Dosunmu royal family,^[25] and Nollywood veteran Prince Jide Kosoko acting in a private capacity.^[26]

The National Film and Video Censors Board, Nigeria's censor, also weighed in on the matter; its head explained that it was not empowered to regulate films and television shows shown on streaming platforms, though a legal amendment to give it that power was currently being considered by the National Assembly.^[27]

In April 2023, the Lagos State Government criticized the film Gangs of Lagos, calling it a disrespectful portrayal of the state's heritage. In a statement shared via its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the government condemned the production, describing it as "unprofessional and misleading." The government expressed concern that the film depicted Lagos culture in a derogatory manner. The Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, further stated that, as the regulatory authority and custodian of the state’s cultural heritage, the ministry viewed the film as a mockery of Lagos' rich history and traditions.^[28]

“We are of the opinion that the production of the film ‘The Gang of Lagos’ is very unprofessional and misleading while its content is derogatory of our culture, with the intention to desecrate the revered heritage of the people of Lagos.

It is an unjust profiling of a people and culture as being barbaric and nefarious. It depicts a gang of murderers rampaging across the State.

The Adamu Orisha, popularly known as the Eyo Festival, is rarely observed and only comes up as a traditional rite of passage for Obas, revered Chiefs and eminent Lagosians.”

The Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Aremu Akiolu, condemned the film Gangs of Lagos, calling it defamatory and sacrilegious for portraying the Eyo as violent criminal gangs responsible for gruesome murders and terrorizing innocent citizens. In response, the monarch has demanded that Amazon Web Services, Greoh Studios, and the film’s producers immediately cease using the image, attire, and representation of the Eyo in the movie and remove all related depictions from Gangs of Lagos.^[29][30]

Amazon Web Services Nigeria

Amazon Web Services Nigeria, a subsidiary of Amazon Inc. and the founder of Prime Video Nigeria, stated in response to the ₦10 billion fine imposed on its production. Amazon asserted that its film, Gangs of Lagos, does not harm any individual or group. The company also challenged the regulatory authority of the Lagos State Government in this matter.^[31]

Gangs of Lagos garnered multiple nominations and accolades, including recognition as Best Nigerian Film and Best Visual Effects at the 2023 African Movie Academy Awards.^[32][33] Adesua Etomi-Wellington won the award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.^[34] In total, the film received five nominations and won three awards,^[35] notably for Best Visual Effects and Best Young/Promising Actor, awarded to Maleek Sanni.^[36]

• Gangs of Lagos at IMDb