REVIEW: 'Living In Bondage: Breaking Free'

Cast: Swanky Jka, Ramsey Nouah, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Muna Abii, Chucks Chike, David Jone David, Kalu Ikeagu, Bob Manuel Udokwu and Kenneth Okonkwo.


Director: Ramsey Nouah


Plot: A young man's thirst for wealth and success leads him to a mysterious businessman who gives him everything he wants and more. But his mentor also leads him to the door of a dark path and he must now pay the price...or else.


Date of Release: November 8th, 2019




Ramsey Nouah has brought about a new age in the  Nollywood industry and that's really saying something. Last year, his Hollywood counterpart, Bradley Cooper,  directed the third American remake of the 1937 film,  A Star is Born, which he starred in with Lady Gaga. Cooper went the extra mile by learning how to play the guitar like a pro along with singing lessons, plus spinning a  new take on the film; he and Lady Gaga receiving praise left and right- more than deserved because it was his directorial debut.

This veteran Nollywood actor made his own triumphant directorial debut by also revisiting a classic, the first Nigerian filmmaker to actually do so.  But instead of a remake,  he brought forth an unexpected sequel to a film that was one of the pioneer works of Nollywood we know today, Living In Bondage. 

Released in 1992 and 1993, written by Kenneth Nnebue and Okechukwu Ogunjiofor (who served as producer)  and directed by Chris Obi Rapu,  the two- volume drama/thriller starred Kenneth Okonkwo as his breakout role of Andy Okeke, who pays the ultimate price for his greed and desperation for instant wealth, after joining a satanic cult. He lives in bondage and torment for his wicked actions but finds redemption in the end. Over the years, most sequels served as 'volume 2', because of running time, except for a few like Deadly Proposal, which had new characters but pretty much the same theme, a jilted lover. Living In Bondage: Breaking Free was a completely different kettle of fish and if you are a fan of the original, you would only have three words to say, after seeing this:

Oh. My. God.


Skillfully written, skillfully directed, skillfully shot... Living in Bondage: Breaking Free is an outstanding followup to the original film. With this great work, Ramsey Nouah and his team and of course the cast,  have taken Nollywood to a new direction and it's the great hope that other filmmakers will take note and do their share in making our film industry better. Everything about this film was simply excellent. Where to even begin?

 Thanks to Nouah and the writing team, the story was cleverly woven with the events of the original film. Unlike the first Living In Bondage where Ibo was dominantly spoken (subtitled in English of course), this new and updated take on the storyline used an equal amount of Ibo and English. What was really great to see was the introduction of the main character Nnamdi and the use of more showing than telling. The previous main character's frustration was presented by an opening monologue, while the new character's was shown by dialogues and scenes, we get to know him and his situation. He was not even introduced immediately, rather the audience was treated to a heart-rending pre-credits scene, where non-fans were treated to the film's grim and very sad premise. The story contained  steady continuity and realistic dialogue, with no irrelevant subplots;  and just when you think you know what comes next, the story still leaves us guessing. 

Newcomer Swanky JKA  played  Nnamdi as a naive, but relatable and sympathetic character. Whether he decided to on his own or on Nouah's instruction, he didn't play a complete replica of the previous main character. His frustrated predecessor wanted instant wealth but  ambitious Nnamdi wanted the chance to prove himself as an entrepreneur, success and the good life that came with it. His character, mannerisms, displays of emotion and interaction with his family, particularly his deep bond with his dear Toby, makes him a three-dimensional character, real and believable.   And the climax, Nnamdi realising the gravity of his actions faces a huge and heartbreaking dilemma adding to his nightmares and despair (his own bondage), leaving the audience at the edge of their seats to see what he will ultimately decide. This young actor really deserves to be in more films.

Ramsey Nouah, the man of the hour. Like he was born to act, this guy was born to direct... and directed he did. Casting off his 'pretty boy' roles ages ago, Nouah has matured as an actor ever since and not only did he do a great directorial job, he brought about a jaw-dropping performance  as the mysterious Richard Williams, a charismatic and wonderfully creepy billionaire who takes Nnamdi under his wing, mesmerizing his protege and the audience with his soulful delivery of lines and swagger. Nouah played two sides of the character, the rich, benevolent mentor and the menacing current chief priest of the cult, known as The Six. Like another character described him, Richard is an enigma and while his charm can pull anyone into his world, he's someone you need to be on your guard around and at all cost, do NOT piss off.

Wonderfully done was the reintroduction of past characters. Chief Omego (Kanayo O. Kanayo reprising his role) is shown grinning from a billboard, indicating he is now a gubernatorial candidate,  while Chief Mike (Bob Manuel Udoku) simply inserted in another scene.  But the best re-introduction was of the main character of the previous film, veteran  Kenneth Okonkwo reprising his role.  A choir is shown in the middle of rehearsal in church, a man walks up to the man watching them, whispering in his ear and his face is revealed.... an older Andy Okeke, now sporting a clerical collar.

Good direction again at work,  we immediately see that Andy, fully recovered and repentant  from the events in the previous film,  is now a pastor and  devoted to doing the Lord's work. But now, a mysterious blogger needs his help and during the course of their conversation,  important details are revealed to the audience.  During a riot  where the angry community raged war against the cultists after Andy left them, Chief Omego (Kanayo O. Kanayo)  and Mike (Bob Manuel Udokwu) fled the country for England, where Richard Williams gave them asylum and protection, hence why they were roaming around scot-free. Ichie Million (played by the late Francis Agu) on the other hand was killed by the angry mob before he could make his escape; the previous characters' backstories skillfully explained!

Then the surprise (spoiler alert), the revelation that Nnamdi is Andy's son, who he never knew about. As LIB fans will remember, Andy and his doomed first wife Merit ( Nnnena  Nwabueze) did not have children before she died and his second wife Ego (Ngozi Nwosu) bounced after their wedding day, taking his 2 million bucks with her.  Again, this was believably explained, thus revealing that the couple Nnamdi kept referring to Mummy and Daddy are actually his Aunt and Uncle. Andy is naturally concerned that Nnamdi is on the verge of following his former dark path (it is the same cult) and tries to warn him. The reunion is rather disappointing, not because Nnamdi angrily refused to believe him, but it was not as dramatic as one would expect.

The best scene in the film (in my opinion), was  the face-off between Andy and Richard in church. Great visual effects, ominous tone and even greater dialogue.  Ramsey Nouah really stole the show here, his evil charm at its peak as he reveals his dark powers and insolently throwing  Andy's  quote from the book of Revelations  back at him, darkly implying there was even more to Richard than we all realised.  But Kenneth Okonkwo was not exactly overshadowed... not with Andy standing down, refusing to give in to Evil, powerfully delivering his own lines like the veteran that he is. This scene  thankfully avoided the familiar cliche, there was no speaking in tongues or over- the- top acting from both actors, just symbolism at its best, Good versus Evil, Andy angrily telling his enemy to begone from his sight!

Simply amazing. 

Zulu Adigwe

Ndidi Obi

The sets, particularly the cult's lair which was more elaborate and sinister thanks to an obviously bigger budget, locations, mind-blowing cars, costumes, music, updated visual and sound effects, contributed to the film's success. Also making an appearance were other Nollywood veterans;
Zulu Adigwe (the second actor to play Mr B in Basi & Company), Ndidi Obi (of Nneka The Pretty Serpent fame) and Ebele Okaro, and added to the cast was rapper and 2007's Most Beautiful Girl In Nigeria, Muna Abii, who played Nnamdi's girlfriend, Kelly.





                                                                                             

Muna Abiii

But while the story tied up some loose ends, including revealing the identity of the mysterious blogger Uzoma (played by  David Jone David), and the actual motivation behind his investigation, the film ended on a somewhat open-ended note. Should we expect yet another sequel?  Maybe, but only if it is going to be as great as this one. But... a few things I must point out.

Why was Nnamdi given Andy's last name, considering how Ego and her family felt about him? It didn't exactly seem in keeping with the scenario. Also, I felt Kenneth Okonkwo was not given enough screen time. One would understand the main focus is on Nnamdi but given their link and being the original film's main character, he should have been showing working alongside Uzoma a bit more, and more screen time should have also been given to Bob Manuel- Udokwu, his character's appearance was rather brief and abrupt.

Bob Manuel Udokwu

Living In Bondage: Breaking Free is a sheer example that the Nollywood industry can be better.
With this now out, Nigerian filmmakers should now think about re-releasing their past works, including the original Living in Bondage, to DVD or even in Blu-Ray, with cassettes pretty much a thing of the past now. In reference to an earlier post, it is now the time for re-releases and remakes, people should not be forced to keep looking for Nollywood classics on Youtube, and how will non-LIB fans be able to understand this sequel completely, unless they see the predecessor first?  Filmmakers out there, the time is now. 

With a refreshing  running time of 2 hours, 20 minutes,  Living In Bondage: Breaking Free is a fantastic and riveting watch, all in all... Best. Movie. Ever.


Mr Nouah, well done!!!


Quotes: 

Pastor Andy: And they overcame him by the blood of  the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony! 

Richard: (amused)   Andy my brother, you forgot the last part of that quote. "They loved not  their life... even  in  death."  But you Andy, you love your life don't you? That's why you ran off like a scared little puppy. 

Uzoma: The power of the truth is the knowledge of the truth. 


Trailer:

         Related Post: Is Nollywood Ready for Remakes?