 |
| Image:X |
Koma: Beyond Awakening is a bold, provocative and culturally daring Nollywood film that instantly grabs attention — perhaps more quickly than viewers expect.
Released to significant buzz, the movie shocked many within its opening minutes due to the display of bare-breasted women, a choice deeply rooted in the actual lifestyle of the Koma ethnic group in Adamawa, on the Nigeria–Cameroon border.
The film draws inspiration from real cultural practices, and although the visuals may unsettle some viewers, they reflect an authentic tradition that still exists today.
The story follows Goriba, a young Koma man whose desire to marry a beautiful girl propels him into a journey of ambition, sacrifice and eventually a tragic mistake that alters his destiny.
The film takes a unique approach by introducing three different Goribas, each representing a different timeline and generational struggle within the same family.
The first Goriba, played by Ian Wordi, dominates the 1950s section of the film. This part is rich in culture, featuring mountain landscapes, waterfalls, huts and people living far removed from modern influence.
However, it also contains the most controversial scenes — numerous women, including young girls and older women, are depicted bare-chested.
According to the filmmakers, this depiction reflects the real-life dressing of the Koma people, but for many Nigerian viewers, seeing hundreds of exposed breasts in a Nollywood film was unexpected and shocking.
Despite the initial discomfort, this section successfully paints a vivid picture of a community uninfluenced by Western norms.
The second Goriba is Sugo, portrayed powerfully by Bolanle Ninalowo. Set in 1991, his chapter brings action, drama and emotional depth. Ninalowo’s performance stands out as he embodies a tough Lagos character haunted by generational burdens.
His scenes with Lolade Okusanya, who plays a sex worker named Feyi, are energetic and engaging, giving the film the spark it needs after the slower cultural introduction. Many viewers consider this the strongest and most entertaining part of the movie.
The third Goriba, Abidemi, played by Eso Dike, represents the present-day continuation of the family’s struggle.
Although this section carries emotional weight, many viewers found the drama forced and the acting slightly exaggerated compared to earlier parts. Still, it ties the generational story together, especially through its message about breaking inherited curses.
Technically, Koma: Beyond Awakening has both strengths and weaknesses. The location choices are breathtaking, and the storyline is ambitious. However, background noise appears in several scenes, and the film relies heavily on soundtracks to mask it.
The colour grading also misses an opportunity to differentiate the decades visually, and the narration is overly used, spoon-feeding viewers instead of letting the story breathe naturally.
Despite its imperfections, the movie is worth watching especially for those who can overlook the heavy display of nudity for the sake of cultural accuracy.
It is bold, different and unafraid to spark conversation. For its ambition and cultural depth, Koma: Beyond Awakening earns a 6/10.
#ExclusiveUpdate
#NollywoodTimes
No comments:
Post a Comment