For starters, I have never been a huge fan of Nigerian movies even though I have watched a couple of them, like Anikulapo, King of Boys, Merry Men, and others. I know it sounds strange since coming from the fact that I'm a fully pledged Nigerian boy from the heart of Osun State, but I would say that my stereotypical belief about Nigerian movies hails from the idea that it could be quite easy to predict the plot line and also the outcome of events. Even though, I still appeal to you not to hold me to ransom for such a belief cause honestly speaking not all the endings of Nigerian movies can be predicted right from the start of the movie.
I would say the factor I omitted is the common reality that things wouldn't always be the same in even the movie industry, the Nigerian movie industry to be precise. Growth is bound to set in at some point, even if someone like me fails to see it. This is the contemporary era of doing things and the new generation invoke are more willing to change the dynamics of things. So the movies made in the 90s or early 2000 cannot be used anymore to judge the current state of the industry.
Well all this I just said has nothing to do with the true reason why I watched this mini-series of five episodes titled FAR FROM HOME, in fact it was after concluding this really interesting and suspense-filled movie that I was able to come to this conclusion. It was all because of the deal I made with my friend which I have to say I benefitted more than her. Her love for Nigerian movies comes from a place in her heart where she believes that this kind of movie expresses what it truly means to be Nigerian in an African continent, faced with harsh conditions and domestic problems. She struck a deal with me that required me to watch this new Netflix Naija movie and in exchange, she will watch any movie I recommend. I would say that she was open to this deal all because she knew deep down in her loving heart filled with sarcasm, that this stubborn guy will actually enjoy the movie. Therefore, who am I to refuse such an offer since I have always wanted her to watch whatever I recommend?
The mini-series FAR FROM HOME is fixated on the struggles of a young man named Ishaya Bello who struggles to achieve his dream of becoming a world-renowned artist like his role model Essien. The movie portrays how life can be really difficult for an ambitious youth living in the ghetto part of the country. Food, shelter, and trying to survive were Ishaya's family's main prior, so it was only logical for his parents to flare up when they found out the extreme measures Ishaya had taken and is even more willing to take to achieve his diehard dream. It was so easy for me to relate to Ishaya Bello's struggle and the sacrifices he had to make and that's not all, even the relationships he hurt along the way. This is because I know life can be hard and even super hard for you if you aren't a member of the social class in the country.
More so, things started to become more interesting in the movie when Ishaya finds a way to get himself into the most elite boarding school in the country all based on the scholarship exam he aced. One can only wonder how an underprivileged young adult with zero to no access to top-notch education gains access to such an expensive school. Well, all I can say is you can only find out by watching the movie.
Aside from the thrilling drama filled in the movie, there were several points where things started to get more interesting when the table began to turn around for the betterment of the movie's plot. I even remember how fast I was to switch to the next episode after one had finished. It was so fast that I could literally say at that point, Barry Allen the fastest man alive had nothing on me. I even respect the scriptwriter or team of scriptwriters if there were more than one because at every point in the movie there were plot twists that would leave you hoping for more and asking yourself what exactly happened. At some point, I felt so much sympathy for Ishaya cause it looked like the burden he was carrying on his shoulders was probably too much for an individual of his age to bear. But sadly this was what even made the movie more interesting. Watching his struggle and the various ways he implored just for his survival and the well-being of his family, even if things never turned out the way he wanted.
The most enjoyable thrill for me in the movie was when he became the school's anonymous drug dealer and yes you heard me clearly, Ishaya began a drug dealer out of the necessity to survive. So tell me why wouldn't you check the movie out on Netflix? There were so many comic reliefs within the movie which made it even more fun to watch and how each and every actor did a good job at delivering in the role they were assigned to was simply fantastic. They all gave this feeling that we are getting a taste of Hollywood in the world of Nollywood and I didn't see any archaic way of doing things, all simply being contemporary vibes and entertainment.
In my last words for the movie, I would just say please do not even get me started on the romantic side of the movie cause like every new contemporary movie there is always a spice of romance even if it may not always be the main focus. For this one, it was quite refreshing and intriguing at the same time cause I got to see what love in the world of today looks like for young adults.
In the end, FAR FROM HOME was a good watch and it was only fair to bless my girlfriend with the warm embrace of my lip for such a lovely recommendation.
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I am @samostically,I love to talk and write about chess because i benefited alot from playing chess. I love to review books and movies too!.I believe life is all about staying happy and maintaining peace.
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Thanks For Reading!