Kasala is a 2018 Nigerian movie directed by Ema Edosio. It is a drama-comedy that tells the story of four young men in their late teens or early twenties, Chike (Emeka Nwagbaraocha), Cobbie (Tommy Oyewole), Michael (Mike Afolarin) and Olumide who get into trouble one night after a series of bad decisions. The film is set in Lagos, Nigeria and explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the harsh realities of life in the city.
The movie starts with the four friends hanging out in a bar, drinking and smoking. Chike, who is the leader of the group, convinces the others to join him in buying a stolen car that he intends to resell at a higher price. They use their savings to buy the car, but things quickly go awry when they realize that the car has faulty brakes and they crash into a wall. The car is damaged beyond repair, and the boys are left with a huge debt to pay for the damages.
The rest of the movie follows the boys as they try to find a way to pay off the debt before they get into even more trouble. They come up with various schemes to make money, including trying to sell the car parts and stealing from their landlord, but none of them work out. Along the way, they face various challenges and setbacks, including getting beaten up by a group of thugs and getting arrested by the police.
One of the strengths of Kasala is its realistic portrayal of life in Lagos. The movie accurately depicts the struggles that young people face in the city, from unemployment to high levels of crime and corruption. The dialogue is also very naturalistic, with the characters speaking in a mix of English and Nigerian pidgin, which adds to the authenticity of the film.
The performances by the actors are also noteworthy. Emeka Nwagbaraocha, who plays Chike, is particularly impressive, delivering a nuanced portrayal of a young man struggling to make ends meet while also trying to maintain his dignity and sense of self-worth. The chemistry between the four actors is also very strong, and their interactions feel very natural and authentic.
One weakness of the movie is that the pacing is a bit slow in places. There are several scenes where not much happens, which can make the movie feel a bit long. However, this is a minor quibble, and the movie overall is well-made and engaging.
In conclusion, Kasala is a well-crafted and realistic movie that explores important themes and issues relevant to young people in Nigeria. It is a testament to the talent of Nigerian filmmakers and actors, and it is definitely worth watching for anyone interested in Nigerian cinema or African cinema more broadly.
