Nigerian filmmaker Ose Oyamendan has finally premiered his documentary "MKO" which explores the life and political legacy of late Moshood Abiola, a key figure in Nigeria's pro-democracy struggle. The documentary was premiered on October 1 at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Lagos, with notable attendees including President Bola Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The film took 13 years to complete and cost over $1million to produce. Oyamendan's documentary aims to fill a gap in Nigeria's history, particularly among young people who may be unfamiliar with Abiola's story.
Oyamendan chose the documentary format over a biopic to ensure accuracy and avoid interpretation of events. He wanted to present the story as it happened, without relying on artistic license. The filmmaker began working on the project in 2013, but faced challenges in securing funding and coordinating with key figures. He eventually partnered with Nile to release the film in cinemas nationwide on October 2. Oyamendan hopes that the documentary will spark conversations about Nigeria's history and the pro-democracy struggle.
The documentary features accounts from prominent figures and Abiola's eldest son, Kola Abiola, who was actively involved in his father's campaign. Oyamendan noted that many key characters in the story did not know the whole truth, and he aimed to present a comprehensive narrative. The filmmaker's approach was to follow the process of releasing a film in cinemas first, followed by streaming platforms. He hopes that the documentary's success will encourage others to produce similar films.
Oyamendan's decision to involve Kola Abiola and other key figures was crucial to the project's success. He wanted to ensure that the story was told accurately and with the family's input. The filmmaker faced challenges in raising funds, and the documentary accrued significant debt. Despite this, Oyamendan is optimistic about the film's potential impact and hopes it will inspire others to produce documentaries.
Before working on "MKO", Oyamendan had experience producing and directing commercials, films, and series. However, this is his first major project in Nigeria and likely the first major documentary to be shown in a Nigerian cinema. Oyamendan has worked on international projects, including a film in the Middle East titled "As What I Remember?" or "Other Voices?" which explored the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Oyamendan served as both the director and producer of the documentary. He believes that documentaries can have a transformative impact when shown in cinemas and hopes that "MKO" will inspire others to produce similar films. The filmmaker is confident that the documentary will spark important conversations about Nigeria's history and legacy.
The documentary "MKO" is a significant contribution to Nigeria's cinematic landscape, offering a nuanced exploration of the country's pro-democracy struggle. Oyamendan's perseverance and commitment to accuracy have resulted in a film that will resonate with audiences. As the documentary continues to screen in cinemas, it is likely to generate important discussions about Nigeria's past, present, and future.
Key points
- The documentary "MKO" took 13 years and over $1million to produce.
- Filmmaker Ose Oyamendan chose the documentary format to ensure accuracy and avoid interpretation of events.
- The film features accounts from prominent figures and Abiola's eldest son, Kola Abiola.
