By Ferdinand Ekechukwu
In the trailer for an upcoming movie, “Pillars of Africa”, gory scenes of rape, massive killings of human, sporadic gunshots blaze somewhere in Africa…children are kidnapped, many became victims of rape and sex slavery. “It was a thing that has never been imagined before. Children were separated from their parents. Those who resisted were killed instantly. We have been robbed of our future, our legacy,” a voice narrates, showing visuals of the barbaric and dastardly acts in this gritty war tale set in the fictional Izambi Republic.
The images look real and relatable, plays up an imaginary image of a popular South-south militant, more like set in the creeks of the Niger Delta where blood flow. And somewhat reminds one of Hotel Rwanda, a movie based on the Rwandan genocide, which occurred during the spring of 1994, the film documents Paul Rusesabagina’s (Don Cheadle) efforts to save the lives of his family and more than 1,000 other refugees by providing them with shelter in the besieged Hôtel des Mille Collines.
But this is not Hotel Rwanda except that it borrows one of its main cast Hakeem Kae-Kazim, a British-Nigerian actor (his portrayal of Georges Rutaganda) in the 2004 drama film. In ‘Pillars of Africa’, Kae-Kazim plays Captain Ortega. “This is our land,” he says to his forces who reciprocate with chants as they fight for their land. There’s Hector whose is raising army to take out Ortega’s camp. His subjects have been taken far away to another land, through a strange and agonizing road they know not. While in the midst of the chaos, destruction, a local joint thrives, and business as usual. “Stop…Na the money you dey give me dey run this place? Abeg make I hear word!”, a voice roars from the joint.
Luckily, help came. Reprisals… Special Force arrives. With a sterling cast of Nollywood veterans, “Pillars of Africa” is coming to the big screens on 23rd July 2021. Hollywood’s Hakeem Kae Kazim is joined by his Nollywood peers Sola Sobowale, Chidi Mokeme, Sam Dede, Segun Arinze, Elvina Ibru and Zach Orji. Look out for Bukky Okorodus, Bryan Okoye, George Nanakwesi Chux and Mor Okonkwo. Written and directed by Ideh Chukwuma Innocent of One Soul Films who also served as producer alongside Johnson Iyoha of Bayrock Media, “Pillars of Africa” is distributed by Silverbird Film Production and will be in all cinemas nationwide.
