Kunle Afolayan's "The Tribunal" is a simple tale of redemption and Albino persecution

chibumga izuzu

September 4, 2017 8:29 PM

"The Tribunal" is a piece of work grounded enough to spark conversations and address the underlying issues related to the prejudice of albinos.

Kunle Afolayans latest movie "The Tribunal" is the last among his collaboration between African Magic films and Golden Effects Pictures.

Like the other two movies "Omugwo" and "Roti," "The Tribunal" takes a detour from the popular whodunit films associated with Kunle Afolayan.

In "Tribunal", Jimi Disu, a bright- minded lawyer who co-established a leading law firm in Lagos years ago, loses his sense of direction and strength after being hit by a series of personal challenges and becomes a ‘charge and bail’ lawyer whose car serves as his office.

One day, he is approached by a young and enthusiastic law school graduate, Tanimowo, who requests that he defends her friend, Ifeanyi Imoh, an albino, who has been unfairly relieved of his duties at a bank.

Ifeanyi believes that he was fired by his boss, Arese Abebe, because of his physical appearance.

The new case, which Disu reluctantly accepts, presents him with a chance to battle his old law firm and friends who are the defendant in the lawsuit.

While trying to solve the case of a prejudiced albino, Disu finds redemption and frees himself from lingering memories of guilt from the past.

In reality, people with albinism suffer from psychological scars from societal prejudice. And just like the character Ifeanyi, they are often taunted with monikers like "Oyibo pepper."

According to a study conducted in Nigeria, as published by Magna, P in the South African Medical Journal, albino children experience alienation and are less emotionally stable.

Furthermore, affected individuals were less likely to complete schooling, find employment or partners.

"The Tribunal" highlights this prejudice while telling the story of a man in need of saving. For its subject matter which come off as profound, it is told with less heaviness than you would expect.

It is an uncomplicated film about the persecution of albinos in Nigeria and redemption. It doesn't set out to evoke overwhelming emotions. However, this takes nothing away from the movie as its message is not diluted.

The attraction of the film lies not just in its story, but also in Ade Laoye as an exuberant, relentless and positive fresh law school graduate, who pushes Disu to find his feet.

There's also Damilola Ogunsi, a newcomer with immense promise, who delivers as the prejudiced Albino, Ifeanyi Imoh.

With Carol King, Adeolu Funsho, Nobert Young, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde and Bimbo Manuel, Afolayan ensembles a first-rate cast that bring their talent and experience to the table to serve viewers a good dish.

With facial expressions, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde as Arese Abebe successfully conveys her dislike for Imo to the viewers.

The film's camera work and pacing are lively and engaging, capturing the city of Lagos and the origin of the popular Freedom park which was formerly Her Majesty's Broad Street Prisons until 1979, when it was pulled down.

These enlightening details accumulate into a rich fabric of our history.

While the film often veers into a predictable trajectory, every scene still peaks with engaging conversations and entertainment.

At the end of the day, "The Tribunal" is a piece of work grounded by expert direction and performances which are enough to spark conversations and address the underlying issues related to the prejudice of albinos.

"Tribunal" is currently showing in Nigerian cinemas nationwide.

chibumga izuzu

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