Perspectives on Film, TV and Internet

I hate to admit it but this blog has become more or less a #Filmspanarna blog lately. I hope that will change, but not with this post unfortunately. As you may know #Filmspanarna is a monthly filmblogger’s meet-up hosted in Stockholm. We meet-up to watch a joint film at the cinema and hit up a bar afterwards for beer and food.

This time we were lucky enough to get an invitation to a CinemAfrica screening of the high profile Nollywood production Last Flight to Abuja. 

To be honestly I can’t really re-call that I have seen any ”local domestic” African film before so that was a reason enough for me to be really excited another reason was how the film was marketed as a commercial disaster film with huge blockbuster status at the African box-office.

I’m not really go into much details about the plot other than its a typical multi-plot film where all sub-plots are tied together in a climactic plane crash. See the official trailer embedded below.

I think that the trailer manages to boost the expectation quite a bit. Overall the general production value is not super high but I can’t help to be entertained by the fact that there is a playfulness in Last Flight to Abuja that is sadly lacking in many higher profile films. Especially Swedish productions tend to be so serious that you can spot the wooden stick attached to the spinal cord entered from you know where…

I’ll bring up two examples of characterization that a lot more expensive films can take some notes on. The plot is filled to the brim with characters (to many if you ask me) with that in mind a couple of them are presented spot on in short intro scenes. The best example of that is the old guy waiting to board the plane who gives a long monotone monologue about his death wish as an answer to his wife who only ask him how he feels right now. Its completely over-the-top but works within the frame of the film.

The other thing I thought was refreshing was how the female parts were written. Most of them had their own agendas and felt like full blooded characters on equal playing field with the males.

It was also refreshing to see the co-pilot and the air controller who *spoiler alert* saves the day being played by females. However, in general I think its easy to perceive Last Flight to Abuja as a action/drama/comedy due to the acting style and this is mainly thanks to the male actors. Their parts are a lot more prejudicing than the the women but that itself is something rarely seen in most western films so its still something to be proud about.

After the film the director Obi Emelyonye took the stage and answered some questions from the audience. I managed to record most of it (see embedded clip below) including a very long sequence towards the end that wasn’t entirely easy to understand.

Also make sure to check out my fellow filmspanare for their takes on it…

Moving Landscapes, Fripps Filmrevyer, Bilder och Ord and The Velvet Cafe (in english)

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