When the producers thought up of Breath of Life movie, their targeted derivative was to capture the journey of redemption and hope while unravelling the depths of human connection. Sunday Ehigiator writes that the movie, which would be premiered on Prime Video original today, is such a poignant reminder that even in the darkest of times, the human spirit can prevail and blossom, guided by empathy, compassion, and the unwavering belief in the goodness of humanity
A journey of redemption and hope, unravelling the depths of human connection, Breath of Life, according to the Writer and Producer, BB Sasore, is a poignant reminder that even in the darkest of times, the human spirit can prevail and blossom, guided by empathy, compassion, and the unwavering belief in the goodness of humanity.
According to him, “This captivating tale offers a message of resilience, hope, and the transformative power of human connection.”
Story Idea
Directed by BB Sasore and produced by Eku Edewor, this heartwarming masterpiece delves into the transformative journey of Timi, an extraordinarily gifted and wealthy man grappling with the depths of grief and despair following a tragic loss.
When Timi’s path intersects with Elijah, a humble young man who becomes his housekeeper, their unexpected encounter ignites a profound transformation.
Through Elijah’s unwavering kindness and compassion, Timi embarks on a journey of self-discovery, rediscovering the joy of living and unravelling the true purpose of his wealth.
Cast
Breath of Life features a stellar cast of talented actors such as Wale Ojo, who delivers a compelling performance as Timi; Chimezie Imo brings warmth and authenticity to the role of Elijah, the humble young man who becomes Timi’s housekeeper.
Other cast members include Genoveva Umeh, Ademola Adedoyin, and Eku Edewor who lend their talents to supporting roles, adding depth and dimension to the film’s narrative.
Sam Dede, Tina Mba, and Sambasa Nzeribe brought their veteran presence to the cast, while also enriching the film with their captivating portrayals.
Idealisation
Speaking on the story’s idealization, the producer, BB Sasore said, “In structuring our ideas, we drew inspiration from a narrative featuring a French girl with a similar employer-employee relationship.
“I endeavoured to relate it to our culture, recognising our strong family orientation. Conversations with relatives abroad, and managing child-rearing without external assistance, highlighted our communities’ enduring spirit of family. The real dynamic that intrigued me was transforming formal relationships, like employer-employee dynamics, into familial connections.
“Once that concept took root, everything else fell into place. The narrative centred on someone affluent needing care or unconventional house help, addressing the challenges of our tough economy. The core was crafting a relatable relationship, harking back to the roots of Africa that resonates universally.”
Embodying Timi
Speaking on the character Timi and his house help, Elijah, Veteran Actor, Wale Ojo said, “The character of Timi is genuinely complex. Before we began filming, we discussed the intricacies of his personality.
“As an actor, a vivid picture of the character emerged in my mind. Conversations with the director reinforced that he had a clear vision for Timi. There were shifts in perspective that made me realize the depth of the character and where the narrative was headed. Reference films like ‘The Scent of a Wounded’ played a crucial role in focusing on Timi’s essence.
“Timi is portrayed as a no-nonsense guy, and it’s essential to grasp the pain and rejection he experiences. Understanding his disdain for divinity becomes crucial, reaching a point where he refuses to hear the names of God or Jesus.
“In a country where people invoke the name of Jesus for everything, Timi stands in stark contrast. Exploring the complexity of Timi’s character, with Bibi’s assistance, was my goal. It involved portraying a man who adamantly rejects God, only to discover it part of a larger plan.”
Who is Elijah?
Speaking further, Ojo said, “On the other hand, Elijah is introduced as an angel. Initially, my perception of Elijah was akin to a cockroach, a bothersome presence disrupting my contentment. Elijah served as a persistent voice at the back of one’s mind, questioning actions and decisions.
“Gradually, he transformed from a bothersome insect to a cat, a dog, a human, and finally, an angel, figuratively speaking. This metamorphosis symbolized Elijah’s impact on the protagonist’s life, subtly fixing things and guiding him towards a spiritual revelation.”
Also speaking about his character Elijah, Chimezie Imo said, “Reading the script for the first time, I had a cliché but powerful moment, tears welled up, and I initially questioned my dramatic reaction until I witnessed the story come to life.
“Delving into character isn’t an overthought process for me; I focus on understanding the character’s motivations and strive to embody them authentically. Acting becomes an organic expression of being rather than a conscious effort to perform. Following the guidance of our exceptional director, I allowed myself to inhabit the role, minimizing the need for traditional acting.
“In approaching roles, my emphasis lies in becoming the character, and this experience was no exception. I sought to truly be Elijah, aligning with the character’s essence.
“The goal was to seamlessly integrate into the narrative, guided by the director’s vision. This approach, emphasizing genuine embodiment over forced acting, has been my consistent method throughout various roles. Ultimately, I aim to contribute something unique to each portrayal, making it stand out in its own right.”
The Ageless Character
Speaking on how he was able to portray a character ageing from 19 to 20 years old, during his undergraduate years at Cambridge in the 50s to being 35 years old, another Veteran Actor, Ademola Adedoyin who played the character, ‘Young Timi’, said, “For me, embodying different ages of the same character wasn’t overly challenging.
“The crew’s meticulous attention to makeup, costumes, and details made the believability aspect seamless. When there were concerns about portraying the younger version of Timi, a solution emerged with Wale Ojo, who could convincingly age for the role. Screen tests and strategic scheduling were key elements in capturing the character’s ageing process authentically.
“Initially, there was scepticism about Wale Ojo appearing too young for the role, but a picture showcasing his mature look dispelled those doubts. The decision to have him grow out facial hair, later turning it white, contributed significantly to the character’s ageing appearance.
“To address challenges, we had to be strategic with the shooting schedule, prioritizing scenes where everything goes wrong before capturing Timi as a young man again. The absence of special effects meant that his aging process was a result of practical measures, akin to a reverse Benjamin Button scenario.
“These thoughtful approaches were essential in achieving the desired portrayal of the character’s age progression.”
The Adventurous Anna
Speaking about the portrayal of her role as Anna, Genoveva Umeh said, “Anna is a charming character, a young woman freshly graduated and eager to apply herself.
“Having completed her master’s, she finds herself in a small town where her parents reside, seeking her purpose.
“Portraying Hannah brought me immense joy as her adventurous spirit resonates with my own. Much like her, I enjoy activities such as swimming and biking, especially with her partner Elijah. Playing this character was a delightful experience, and Bibi played a significant role in guiding me into the role.
“Working with Bibi allowed me to ask thought-provoking questions, deepening my understanding of Hannah’s character. Her transition from academia to a small-town setting was a compelling aspect to explore. Bibi’s guidance and the character’s relatable qualities made the portrayal enjoyable and authentic.”
Western-Nigerian Fusion
Speaking on how the production team were able to seamlessly integrate elements of Westernization and Nigerian old-school aesthetics into a contemporary movie, specifically by incorporating vintage props and costumes to evoke relatable moments from the past in a way that resonates with today’s audience, Eku Edewor, is one of the producers, while also playing the character, Bridget, said, “The team was tasked with making the film visually striking, embracing exceptional aesthetics while considering financial constraints.
“The goal was to create a world that felt authentically Nigerian despite historical Western influences. Past architecture and presentations were shaped by our colonial history, particularly with the British.
“We deliberately surpassed expectations, thinking beyond limitations and envisioning a grand production. Bibi drew inspiration from ‘Downton Abbey’, although our budget didn’t match its scale.
“The challenge was to ground the narrative in a sensible world. For love scenes, we utilized the interiors of a historical house in Ibadan, built in the 1930s. Despite the lack of preservation, we saw potential in its architecture.
“Facing constraints, we transformed a warehouse into sets, meticulously designing to capture the essence of the envisioned spaces. The creative team delved into archives, scrutinising images to ensure authenticity.
“Notably, we repurposed a Rolls Royce, once owned by my grandmother, as a vintage element. The film aimed for a fantastical, magical feel, departing from strict historical accuracy.
“Present-day scenes were set in 2003, evidenced by the choice of Range Rovers from that era. This decision aimed to create a timeless atmosphere, avoiding distractions like modern gadgets. The goal was for viewers to immerse themselves in the narrative without being overly conscious of the carefully crafted world.”
Quote
A journey of redemption and hope, unravelling the depths of human connection, Breath of Life, is a poignant reminder that even in the darkest of times, the human spirit can prevail and blossom, guided by empathy, compassion, and the unwavering belief in the goodness of humanity
