Anticipation loomed over Lisabi: The Uprising, the inaugural installment of a two-part release. While the film triumphs in delivering a narrative steeped in cultural authenticity, commendable performances, and striking cinematography, it falters due to uneven pacing, heavy reliance on disappointing CGI, and a lack of emotional resonance in pivotal moments.

Given these shortcomings, our enthusiasm for the sequel remains tempered; we question whether the follow-up can transcend the narrative and technical missteps that marred its predecessor.

Story

Lisabi: The Uprising, directed by Niyi Akinmolayan, is a historical epic that depicts the struggle of Lisabi Agbongbo-Akala, a resourceful Egba farmer. The film, steeped in rich cultural narratives, portrays the power dynamics between rulers and the ruled while attempting to portray themes of unity, courage, and resistance against tyranny. The narrative deftly explores themes of injustice, resilience, and the fight for freedom, showcasing Lisabi’s journey as he navigates personal and communal struggles.

As an adaptation of a historical event, Lisabi: The Uprising seeks to capture the essence of the resistance led by Lisabi against the injustices of the time. However, while the film pays homage to the events surrounding the Egba people’s fight for independence, it takes considerable creative liberties that occasionally blur the lines between historical fact and dramatization; a narrative that is more symbolic than factual.

This approach, as producer Lateef Adedimeji suggested in a VON article; “is less about strict historical accuracy and more about conveying the essence of resistance and cultural pride”. While engaging, this approach may detract from the authentic representation of Lisabi’s legacy, though not necessarily to the film’s detriment.

Plot

The film opens with King Olodan being brutally punished for refusing to pay exorbitant tributes to the Alaafin, a clear representation of the tyrannical regime that terrorizes the Egba.

As the tribute collectors, led by the merciless Sangodeyi, inflict cruelty and fear upon the Egba community, Lisabi witnesses the suffering of his people and feels compelled to act. With a blend of courage and strategic acumen, he rallies his fellow farmers, to face and fight the oppression.

However, the plot is marred by a fundamental issue in the script, where characters lack depth and are not adequately developed. The theme of an uprising, which should evoke strong emotions, falls flat, particularly in Lisabi’s character arc. His transformation from a concerned witness to a leader of rebellion is poorly fleshed out.

Osokenu, in himself, presents a more compelling case for a lead, given his overt rage against the oppressive tribute warriors. Yet, even his character falls into disbelief; suddenly becoming capable of single-handedly killing ten of Sangodeyi’s men, despite being portrayed as a lazy farmer. There is no clear progression or explanation for this shift, making it hard to suspend disbelief or accept this narrative arc.

The film’s structure suffers further from uneven pacing, poor sense of time, and an excessive use of slow-motion scenes, creating an experience that drags. This results in key moments lacking the urgency they need, while repetitive sequences contribute to a sense of monotony. As a result, audiences may find themselves disengaged and tempted to fast-forward through parts of the film.

Performances

The cast is undeniably star-studded, featuring a lineup of some of Nollywood’s finest. However, despite the stellar cast, the familiarity of the actors presents a recurring issue in Yoruba epics. We often see the same faces in these films, creating a sense of repetition that can dull the impact of their performances. One could almost feel as though they’ve seen the film before simply due to the repetitive casting.

Veteran actress Margaret Bandela Olayinka (Iya Gbonkan) delivers a memorable performance in a role that resonates with her well-known screen persona, evoking an almost humorous yet unsettling portrayal of spiritual wickedness infused with evil. Adebowale “Debo” Adedayo (Mr. Macaroni) and Roseline Afij (Liquorose), both showcase their versatility in this film.

Mr. Macaroni has proven to be a talent to be reckoned with. As a content creator known for his skits, he has added to his repertoire of titles, actor. His nuanced performance as Osokenu, especially, stands out, creating a character whose emotional journey resonates with the audience. Liquorose also, despite not being Yoruba, impresses as Abebi, showcasing her versatility. From a dancer, and social media personality, to an actress. She convincingly inhabited the role.

Lateef Adedimeji’s performance as the titular character, whilst brilliant, suffers from the script’s shortcomings. His portrayal of Lisabi, though earnest, fails to resonate emotionally with the audience due to weak character development. The script doesn’t fully allow us to experience the gradual build-up of his anger and resolve, leaving a disconnect between the audience and his character’s motivations. Although Adedimeji brings the necessary strength to the role, the emotional essence of Lisabi’s leadership feels underdeveloped and fails to engage viewers as deeply as intended.

Ibrahim Chatta, as the ruthless tribute collector Songodeyi, is simply unmatched. His energy radiates pure intensity, delivering a gripping portrayal that immerses the audience in the character’s malevolence. Chatta infuses the role with such life, suspense, and power that he leaves no room for improvement—he completely owns the character. He surpasses expectations, offering a chilling depiction of oppression.

Odunlade Adekola, Adebimpe Oyebade Adedimeji, Jide Awobona, Muyiwa Ademola, Gabriel Afolayan, Olumide Oworu, Jide Kosoko, Femi Adebayo, and Boma Akpore round out the ensemble with commendable performances that enhance the film’s impact. It’s a cast stacked with talent, each actor contributing to the film’s emotional and narrative complexity.

The film’s focus on the Yoruba language and traditions is commendable, but the delivery of the Egba Yoruba language by some actors lacks accurate authenticity. This disparity in language fluency detracts from the character’s authenticity, making it difficult for viewers to immerse themselves in the world fully the film aims to portray.

Technical Aspects

In terms of production scale, the film is a commendable feat for Nollywood. With a budget surpassing 200 million naira and a cast of over 3,000 (Business Day NG), Lisabi: The Uprising aspires to set a new benchmark in the industry. The sound design and score/music are commendable, enhancing emotional moments with traditional Yoruba instruments and songs.

The production design is another commendable aspect. The filmmakers excel in crafting an immersive world through well-chosen locations, authentic sets, costumes, and props, except for the shortcomings in CGI. Notably, the setting was built entirely from scratch, showcasing the team’s dedication to authenticity. Every detail reflects an effort to portray the historical period convincingly, contributing to a believable film world. The composition of scenes, reminiscent of Niyi Akinmolayan’s style, mirrors what we see in Anikulapo: Rise of the Sceptre, with careful attention to blocking and mise-en-scène of extras. This thoughtful arrangement of cast and crew enhances the film’s visual authenticity, grounding the environment in a way that feels real and tangible.

The Directors of Photography: Barnabas Emordi and Nora Awolowo; and Niyi Akinmolayan’s team, deserve credit for managing to create a visually compelling film, particularly with impressive costume choices that outshine those in House of Ga’a.

Yet, the execution falters in areas such as CGI, which is quite underwhelming and disappointing for a project of this scale. The excessive use of slow motion further detracts from the pacing, leaving viewers yearning for more dynamic storytelling. The excessive use of CGI especially in the third act of the film takes away much of the authenticity and realism built up in the first and second acts.

Despite these visual shortcomings, the cinematography stands out, capturing the vibrant landscapes and intense battle sequences with a keen eye for detail.

Final Thoughts

Lisabi: The Uprising is a commendably ambitious film that attempts to merge cultural authenticity with a global appeal, yet its heavy reliance on CGI exposes a gap between its lofty aspirations and technical execution. The CGI, particularly in key scenes incorporating jùjú and spirituality appeared disproportionate and out of place, undermining the visual impact despite the wealth of CGI talent available in Nigeria.

Large-scale productions often face technical challenges, and Lisabi is no exception. While it is difficult to determine the exact influence Netflix had on the film, it is reasonable to assume that the pressure to meet international standards may have affected the storytelling. Released on Netflix, a platform known for high international standards, the inconsistencies in the CGI are more apparent, suggesting that pressures to meet these expectations may have influenced both the technical and narrative aspects of the film. As Nollywood continues to expand globally, finding a balance between creative integrity and the commercial demands of platforms like Netflix will be crucial.

The film’s emotional impact falters in key moments, such as Lisabi’s rallying speech, which fails to resonate due to both cinematographic choices and Lateef Adedimeji’s portrayal. Scenes that should evoke a strong emotional response, like the struggles of Osokenu and Abebi, are less impactful than intended, leading to an overall emotional disconnect. This is more of a story development problem.

Additionally, while the film heavily focuses on Yoruba culture, language, and traditions, the delivery of the Ẹgba-Yoruba language by some actors lacked authenticity, which slightly detracted from the film’s cultural representation the film attempted to offer.

In the end, Lisabi: The Uprising is a film that showcases immense ambition that aims to honour a historical legacy while appealing to global viewers (although for some reason, the film was not accessible to the diaspora audience as of the day of its release). Despite technical flaws and moments of emotional disconnect, it remains an important film for Nollywood, signaling both the promise and the challenges of creating culturally authentic epics for a Nigerian and global audience.

Verdict

Lisabi: The Uprising is an attempt to push the boundaries of Nollywood filmmaking, but it ultimately falls short. Given Anthill Studios’ reputation for technological advancement, especially in CGI, high expectations were set. But, the film fails to deliver on this front. Technical and narrative inconsistencies severely undermine the film’s grand ambitions. While its bold vision in incorporating CGI merits some recognition, it is evident that Nollywood has the talent already available to achieve more. There is, however, room for growth in crafting a more cohesive and polished cinematic experience. And for that reason alone, we look forward to the sequel series. Will they be able to right their wrongs?

Rating: 3/5