Kunle Afolayan Projects ‘Mokalik’ for Film Festivals
Known for his production value and attention to details, even with the low production cost on his forthcoming movie, ‘Mokalik’, Kunle Afolayan projects the work for film festivals and international awards. Ferdinand Ekechukwu reports
Kunle Afolayan wants to scare you, he wants to thrill you, he wants to make you laugh, but most of all, he would like you to suspend your disbelief - in his plots, yes, which tend to be over the top, but also about what is possible in Africa. For one who has seen nearly all his previous works, these features have successfully, at different times, reflected in his story lines, thus, sustaining a legacy. These, he projects in his movies, namely, ‘ The Figurine- Araromire’; ‘ Irapada’ ( redemption); ‘ Phone Swap’; ‘ October 1’; ‘ The CEO’; ‘ Roti’ and more recently, ‘ The Bridge’.
In a recent interview on CNN African Voices, Kunle stated: “Growing up Yoruba was my first language, English was learned in school and I believe I am so proud of my tribe and my heritage and where I am from and who I am. Which is why in most of the films that I do, I’m always trying to showcase the richness you know of who we are as Africans, as Nigerians and also as a Yoruba man. And all of these reflect in most of my films, not only in the language but also in the aesthetics, in the costumes, in make- up, in music, in everything.”
It is not surprising, especially coming from a chip off the old block. His father Adeyemi Afolayan ( Ade Love) of blessed memory was one of the pioneers of commercial filmmaking in Nigeria.
Kunle had followed his father around and learnt the art and business of entertainment based on errands he ran for his father. So, the inspiration and the title of his most recent effort, ‘ Mokalik’, are understandable; it is a local accent for mechanic. Notably, a slight departure from the previous films he had shot, such as ‘ Irapada’ and ‘ Roti’, the celebrated actor, producer and director had drawn inspiration for Mokalik during his constant visit to the mechanic workshop where his much publicised vintage car ( Thunderbird Ford 1965) was refurbished.
Similarly, for the film title ( a Yoruba corrupt pronunciation of mechanic), Afolayan picked from a scene in one of his late father ’ s classics, ‘ Taxi Driver’. According to Afolayan, “it is the story of a young boy who is brought to come and learn how to be a mechanic and a lot of things happened in the process. We gonna see love, we gonna get educated.”
The plot follows a day in the life of an 11- year- old boy, Jaiye, from the middle- class suburbs, who is sent by his parents to work at a mechanic workshop for the day— in order to give him a dif- ferent perspective on life from the diverse people he meets. When his father arrives to take him home; Jaiye has to make up his mind if he wants to return to school or take on his apprenticeship full time.
A comedy drama, the movie stars awards- winning singer, Simisola Ogunleye ( Simi) in her debut role, reality TV star Tobi Bakare, alongside a cast of prominent actors like Femi Adebayo, Charles Okocha, Faithia Williams, Lateef Oladimeji, and some of Nigeria’s old comic actors who are almost being forgotten like Wale Akorede ( Okunu), Ayo Ogunshina ( Papa Lolo), Dayo Akinpelu ( Alabi Yellow), among others. The Afro- pop artiste Simi plays the daughter of one of the two buka owners in the film, whom Jaiye develops a crush on.
Written by his longtime partner and famous writer, Tunde Babalola who also shares credit in Afolay- an’s October 1 movie, ‘ Mokalik’ is set in an automobile repair workshop. With no official date yet disclosed for the movie premiere and the cinema release, it sure been gathering momentum following its trailer released a fortnight ago after a series of teasers. In the first teaser, shows Simi and Jaiye having a chat about their life’s goals, where Simi reveals that she wants to sing, but is hindered by her parents’ refusal. Clearly,