Femi Branch truly deserves recognition for his outstanding performance as Bashorun Ga’a in the recently released streaming film *House of Ga’a*. While he has always been regarded as a talented actor, his portrayal in this film elevates his craft to new heights.
House of Ga’a tells the legendary tale of Bashorun Ga’a, the formidable prime minister and warlord of the Oyo Empire. He was so feared that even the kings he appointed to the throne of the Alaafin of Oyo dared not cross him. Those who defied him mysteriously met their demise. However, his excessive power and overbearing nature ultimately led to his downfall.
Directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters, House of Ga’a features a star-studded cast including Temilolu Fosudo, Teddy A, Femi Branch, Femi Adebayo, Gabriel Afolayan, Funke Akindele, Toyin Abraham, Adeniyi Johnson, Lateef Adedimeji, Yemi Blaq, Mike Afolarin, Stan Nze, Ibrahim Chatta, Seun Akindele, and Bridget Nkem, among others.
THE SET DESIGN DEPICTS THE OLD OYO EMPIRE
From what I learnt, the set for the movie was built on hectares of land in the Epe area of Lagos, Nigeria. I like that the directors didn’t push themselves too hard in terms of set design and they didn’t fall short of anything necessary. What is displayed in the movie is just right for it.
The color palette of the movie is mostly brownish, depicting what life was like in the Old Oyo empire where mud huts were the architecture of the civilization then. Building the huts used in the movie from scratch is a plus for Nollywood. I think some of the scenes were overemphasized using green screen as seen in the image below.
I have to give it up for Femi Branch following his outstanding performance as Bashorun Ga’a in the new movie House of Ga’a, which is currently streaming. Though I’ve always known him to be a good actor, his performance in this movie is a step ahead of his potential.
House of Ga’a is the legend of Bashorun Ga’a, a fierce Oyo Empire prime minister and warlord. He is feared by kings who mount the throne of the Alaafin of Oyo despite being their appointee. Kings who fail to do his bidding meet their demise in mysterious ways. However, his overbearing attitude led to his downfall.
Directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters, House of Ga’a boasts of a star-studded cast that includes Temilolu Fosudo, Teddy A, Femi Branch, Femi Adebayo, Gabriel Afolayan, Funke Akindele, Toyin Abraham, Adeniyi Johnson, Lateef Adedimeji, Yemi Blaq, Mike Afolarin, Stan Nze, Ibrahim Chatta, Seun Akindele, and Bridget Nkem, amongst others.
THE SET DESIGN DEPICTS THE OLD OYO EMPIRE
From what I learnt, the set for the movie was built on hectares of land in the Epe area of Lagos, Nigeria. I like that the directors didn’t push themselves too hard in terms of set design and they didn’t fall short of anything necessary. What is displayed in the movie is just right for it.
The color palette of the movie is mostly brownish, depicting what life was like in the Old Oyo empire where mud huts were the architecture of the civilization then. Building the huts used in the movie from scratch is a plus for Nollywood. I think some of the scenes were overemphasized using green screen as seen in the image below.
B**BS ON DISPLAY
I think Nollywood is beginning to tilt towards unfamiliar territories, going by the recent display of n*dity in movies. In House of Ga’a, Tosin Adeyemi, who starred as Zainab, a Nupe slave, displayed bbs twice. I don’t see how that adds to the movie or how a lack of such a display will subtract from the movie. I doubt those were real bbs, though. If they were prosthetics, as claimed in the case of such display by Bimbo Adeboye, who starred as Olori Arolake in Anikulapo, then Nollywood needs to stop deceiving viewers. You either show the real deal or don’t. Their movies will still attain heights, with or without such displays.
POOR BUT MANAGEABLE CGI
The CGI in this movie is poor but manageable because the film doesn’t boast of CGI as one of its strong points. The part where Bashorun Ga’a transformed back to himself from an elephant didn’t look real but I enjoyed it. Also, the part where one of the Alaafins was strangled to death by snakes looks fake. Lastly, the fire that burnt Bashorun Ga’a reeks of poorly done CGI. Real fire should have been used. There are ways such is done but I won’t go into details.
FIGHT SCENES
The fight scenes have flaws but we can overlook them because Nollywood is not there yet. The reason why I won’t dwell on the flaws is because the movie’s strong point is its story, not the battles.
BEST ACTING
Just as I said earlier, Femi Branch killed the lead role and deserved to be the best actor. Poor acting goes to Adeyemi Johnson. He looked still stuck in the old Nollywood, where any acting is tolerated. I wonder why Toyin Abraham was used in this movie. She only appeared in three scenes, and the appearances were not significant or needed. Stan Nze deserves praise, too, for his role as Nupe warlord. Even though he only appeared in a scene, he impressed me with how he spoke Yoruba like a Nupe person would. I recall being impressed when he spoke Pidgin English with a Ghanaian accent in the new series Oloture: The Journey.
What rating should I give the House of Ga’a? This film deserves a solid 8/10. If the producers can continue in this trajectory, then improvements in their work will be noticed.
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