In 2019, “Oloture” emerged as one of Nigeria’s biggest films, captivating audiences with its gripping narrative and powerful performances. Now, five years later, its sequel is once again dominating the screens, continuing the legacy of its predecessor.
How has “Oloture” managed to resonate so profoundly with audiences, both then and now? What new revelations does its sequel bring to light?
Table of Content hide 1 What is ‘Oloture’? 2 Oloture series 3 Oloture cast 4 Oloture storyline 4.1 Oloture: The Journey 4.1.1 Plot summary: 4.1.2 Themes and execution: 4.1.3 Critique: 5 Oloture NetflixWhat is ‘Oloture’?
Oloture is a 2019 Nigerian crime drama film that tells the story of a brave young journalist named Oloture, who goes undercover as a sex worker. Her goal is to expose the dark and dangerous world of human trafficking rings operating in Lagos, Nigeria. These rings exploit women by tricking them into prostitution overseas.
The film follows Oloture as she infiltrates this underworld, uncovering its ruthlessness and violence.
The first sequel of Oloture was directed by Kenneth Gyang and produced by EbonyLife Films. The film was released on October 31, 2019, and later distributed by Netflix.
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Oloture series
“Oloture: The Journey” is a newly released Nigerian drama series on Netflix, serving as a sequel to the 2019 film “Oloture.” Directed by Kenneth Gyang and produced in collaboration with EbonyLife Studios, this series continues the harrowing tale of Ehi, a journalist who adopted the pseudonym Oloture, to work undercover to expose a human trafficking ring in Nigeria.
The series picks up from where the prequel left off, with Ehi and other trafficked girls embarking on a perilous journey to Europe. They face numerous challenges, including crossing borders with fake passports, dealing with corrupt officials, and evading gunmen. The narrative delves deeper into the dangerous world of human trafficking, highlighting the physical and emotional toll it takes on the victims.
The cast includes returning actors, such as Sharon Ooja (Oloture), Omoni Oboli (Alero) and Patrick Doyle (Sir Philip), along with new additions like Daniel Etim Effiong (Tony) and Stan Nze. The actors’ performances have been praised for their depth and realism, contributing to the series’ gripping and emotional impact.
Despite its compelling storyline, the series has faced some criticism for certain plot decisions and character inconsistencies. Nonetheless, it effectively captures the brutal reality of trafficking and the struggles of those caught in its web. The series’ format, comprising three episodes of around 35 minutes each, has raised questions about its pacing and the decision to leave it on a cliffhanger
Oloture cast
- Sharon Ooja as Oloture
- Omoni Oboli as Alero
- Beverly Osu as Peju
- Bukola Oladipupo as Beauty
- Patrick Doyle as Sir Phillip
- Ikechukwu Onunaku as Chuks
- Daniel Etim Effiong as Tony
- Sambasa Nzeribe as Victor
- Ada Ameh as Titi
- Blossom Chukwujekwu as Emeka
- David Jones David as Sheriff
- Emmanuel Ilemobayo as Simon
- Eunice Omorogie as Linda’s Mother
- Gregory Ojefua as Sami
- Kemi Lala Akindoju as Blessing
- Omawunmi Megbele as Sandra (credited as Omawumi Mebgele)
- Omowunmi Dada as Linda
- Pearl Okorie as Peace
- Segun Arinze as Theo
- Wofai Fada as Vanessa
- Yemi Solade as Jubril
- Gbenga Alabi as Party Mansion Man
- Richard Amechi as Priest
- David A. Apemiye as Juju Wizard
- Nana Attei as Party Mansion Girl
- Okwuonye Chuks as Alero’s Bodyguard (credited as Chuks Onwuonyeache)
- Princewill Donatus as Party Mansion Man
- Claudia Fonguh as Party Mansion Girl
- Arthur Ilouno as Sir Phillip’s Bodyguard (credited as Arthur Ilound)
- Peju Ogunbanjo as Party Mansion Girl
- Nike Orimogunje as Party Mansion Girl
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Oloture storyline
“Oloture” is a Nigerian drama film that tells the harrowing story of Ehi, an undercover journalist who goes by the name Oloture. She infiltrates a human trafficking ring in Lagos to expose the grim realities of sex trafficking. Ehi experiences firsthand the brutal world she aims to reveal, facing physical and emotional abuse. Throughout the film, she forms bonds with other trafficked girls, such as Beauty, and navigates dangerous situations to gather evidence.
Key events include:
- Undercover mission: Ehi adopts the persona of Oloture and joins a group of trafficked girls.
- Encounter with traffickers: She encounters various traffickers, including Sir Phillip, a politician involved in the trafficking ring.
- Struggle for survival: Ehi endures numerous hardships, including assaults and betrayal.
- Escape attempt: With the help of Emeka, a man who tries to rescue her, Ehi and Beauty attempt to escape.
The film ends on a cliffhanger, with Ehi being trafficked outside Nigeria despite Beauty’s escape. Emeka confronts Sir Phillip, setting the stage for further developments.
Oloture: The Journey
The sequel, “Oloture: The Journey,” continues the story five years later. The series dives deeper into the aftermath of the original film and explores the ongoing struggles of the characters.
Plot summary:
Episode 1:
- Ehi’s new reality: The series opens with Ehi, now in a foreign land, trying to comprehend her new life. She is moved from one location to another, feeling increasingly hopeless. Peju, another trafficked girl, provides some comfort and support.
- Beauty’s return: Beauty, having escaped trafficking, returns home but faces new troubles. She goes back to Lagos, where she falls into the hands of Chuks, who deceives her into working as a sex worker under the guise of protection.
Episode 2:
- Chuks’ ambition: Chuks seeks to elevate his status in the world of sex trafficking. He collaborates with Tony, a more successful trafficker.
- Alero’s predicament: Alero, once a trafficker herself, is now under threat from Sir Phillip and Tony. She desperately searches for a way out.
Episode 3:
- Conflict and violence: The series introduces Ade, a rival trafficker who competes with Tony. Ade’s violent actions, including killing trafficked girls, add to the tension.
- Unresolved subplots: Various subplots are introduced but not fully explored, such as the political involvement in trafficking and the internal power struggles among traffickers.
Themes and execution:
- Realities of trafficking: The series continues to highlight the harsh realities of human trafficking, including the physical and emotional trauma endured by the victims.
- Political complicity: Sir Phillip’s character is used to shed light on the political class’s involvement in trafficking, though this aspect remains underdeveloped.
- Character development: The sequel attempts to deepen character arcs, but some decisions and actions by the characters are seen as inconsistent and implausible.
Critique:
- Performance and script: While the actors deliver commendable performances, the script’s weaknesses sometimes hinder their effectiveness. The storytelling lacks the depth and coherence needed to fully engage the audience.
- Series format: The decision to present the sequel as a three-episode series, each around 35 minutes long, raises questions about pacing and narrative structure. The cliffhanger ending suggests more content is expected, leaving many storylines unresolved.
Oloture Netflix
On June 28, 2024, Netflix released “Oloture: The Journey”, the sequel to the 2019 film, “Oloture”. This Netflix original series, a collaboration with Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife Studios, quickly gained significant attention. During the week of July 1-7, 2024, the series garnered 1.7 million views and accumulated 3.2 million hours of watch time, propelling it into the top 10 global charts on the streaming platform.
The success of “Oloture: The Journey” was celebrated by Mo Abudu on Instagram. On July 10, 2024, Abudu shared the remarkable achievement, stating: “Òlòtūré: The Journey made it to the official Netflix top ten global chart based on our first week of viewership from July 1st to July 7th, 2024. We are number 6 on the global charts with 1,700,000 views and 3,200,000 hours watched.”
This milestone reflects the series’ impact and the strong viewer interest in the continuation of the gripping and emotional story of human trafficking depicted in the original film.
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