Hmmm. So, two days ago, during my break time at work, I opened my YouTube app. As usual, I intended to continue with one of the already saved shows in my library. But then, I saw a music video with a captivating feature cover.
Being a graphic designer easily enticed by beautiful designs, I clicked on it. Once I was done with the video, I saw a feature cover for a movie trailer in the ‘up next’ slot.
The name of the movie was “Finding Messiah”
For a moment, I was taken aback because, unlike other Nollywood Movies, this one seemed beyond the norm.
But then, the trailer time read 5 minutes. 5 whole minutes. I’m the sort of person who’d never play a movie trailer that was more than 2 minutes.
But there was something about this trailer’s feature cover that kept on gnawing at me. I didn’t know if it was the casts or something else.
To satisfy my curiosity, I clicked on it.
Umunnem na umunnam, please explain how just a movie trailer could be so fascinating. I kid you not, I didn’t know when 5 minutes passed.
From what I could gather online about this yet-to-be-released movie; “The film is set in the fictional nation of Zambay which, is dealing with a messy political unrest that feels quite familiar. It features a group of protesters fighting an established political class that is bent on oppressing the people it is meant to protect…”
What got me more hooked on this trailer was the music score, The Prison Song, which is becoming a crowd-pleaser. I had to go straight to Spotify and save it, because I’m a sucker for good music, especially one with a unique blend of harmony, lyrical sensitivity, and rarity.
Gobsmacked is an understatement.
Then we get to casting. Talk about Star-studded. One thing I commend was the choice of using familiar faces that we grew up watching; Pete Edochie, Ngozi Ezeonu, Segun Arinze, Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett, Keppy Ekpenyong, Alex Usifo, Ejike Asiegbu, and Majid Michael. Bucci Franklin also seems to be in either a leading or major supporting role, whichever it is, I’m here for it. Daddy Showkey, Lillian Afegbai, and Sunshine Rosman are also included in the cast.
This is a debut feature movie by Oscar Heman-Ackah, who also serves as executive producer, writer, director, production designer, and music composer. Given his history in music, it’s no wonder the beauty of the Score.
Finding Messiah will definitely be a different movie than most Nigerian cliches we’ve come to love. And I can tell you for a fact that I’m excitedly expectant. I really do hope that they do justice to it.
Watch the trailer below:
