Nigerian filmmaker Mike Bamiloye's sons, Damilola and Joshua, have shared their experience of directing their father in the remake of his classic movie Agbara Nla. The remake brings together the seven parts of the original story into one 2-hour, 30-minute film, with technological improvements. According to Damilola, directing his father in the same role he had watched him play more than two decades ago brought back childhood memories and almost moved him to tears.
Damilola Bamiloye recalled the emotional moment when he had to instruct his father on how to act a scene. He praised his father's openness and willingness to take direction, saying that he didn't seem like his son was directing him. Damilola also shared that growing up, Mount Zion Ministries, founded by his father, was like a family team. The brothers explained that the decision to remake Agbara Nla came from the desire to make the story accessible to a wider audience.
The original movie was made in Yoruba, but audiences from other regions wanted to watch it despite not understanding the language. The remake aims to appeal to a modern audience with its compilation of part 1-7 into one film. Damilola and Joshua believe that the new version is more impactful and will appeal better to the modern audience. They also spoke about growing up under the watch of a community that knew their parents and paid close attention to their behaviour.
Damilola described his mother as his best friend while growing up and said his parents complemented each other. He recalled how their parents expressed love for each other through simple acts of service. The brothers also addressed claims that Mount Zion movies demonise Yoruba culture, clarifying that they antagonise the workings of the devil, which is not only in Yoruba culture.
According to the brothers, growing up in a community that knew their parents helped shape their behaviour. They shared that even small incidents, such as an argument with a friend, would be viewed deeply by the community. This helped guide their actions and decisions. Damilola and Joshua are grateful for the values they learned from their parents and the community.
The remake of Agbara Nla is a 2-hour, 30-minute movie that combines the seven parts of the original story. The brothers are confident that the new version will appeal to a wider audience and provide a fresh perspective on the classic story. They also appreciate the opportunity to work with their father on the project.
Mike Bamiloye's sons are proud of their father's legacy and the impact of his films on the Nigerian film industry. They believe that the remake of Agbara Nla will continue to entertain and inspire audiences for years to come. The film is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the importance of preserving cultural heritage.
Key points
- The remake of Agbara Nla combines the seven parts of the original story into one 2-hour, 30-minute film.
- Damilola Bamiloye almost shed tears while directing his father in the remake due to childhood memories.
- The brothers clarified that Mount Zion movies do not demonise Yoruba culture, but rather antagonise the workings of the devil.
