Film Review - If I am President

The kind of content we love to see on Nollywood screen, "If I Am President"

"Priest: We don't indulge in politics

Zina: Yes, but when the righteous are in power, the people will rejoice and the land is at peace"

"Priest: We'll keep praying for you

Zina: Faith without works is dead, Bishop"

Words that shoot straight to the heart.

"If I am President," a political movie that we don't exactly get to see everyday. A younger guy who is aspiring to be the president and the challenges en route to the seat. I do feel he's quite the strong-headed person, rarely takes advice and all of that but the flaws are what makes the character more endearing.

The storyline, dialogue, acting, cinematography are top-notch, even the sounds accompanying the music. I really do prefer this to 4th Republic but I think the upcoming "Badamassi: Portrait of a General will be my best"

My heart leapt at some scenes, I laughed over some scenes that are so typical of Nigeria, I was aggravated over the corruption glaring on-screen and I could definitely relate with the dreams of a country where things could be better.

One of the antagonists said something, "Nigerians only talk. Their anger extinguishes at beer parlours, newspaper stands. You try and steal a loaf of bread from hunger and they'll lit you, but steal millions from the national treasure and they will crown you chief tancy titles on red carpets. If they ever riot, it's only to kill each other, they never rise against the politician."

So damn true that I was so angry with the statement, before it quickly dawned on me on the irony of my misplaced anger.

And the ageism. The politician downplaying the aspirant with the statement, "You're a small boy. You know nothing. Absolutely nothing..."

More so, the little characteristics of the Nigerian story; dreams and superstitions, mob killing, traces of Nigerians making a joke outta everything, the God factor, false accusations, the Nigerian bitterness and frustration that comes with the society, how money pushes people to the extremes, female empowerment, notes on the health, agriculture, education sectors, etcetera.

God! That movie is everything! At some point, I felt that the movie was real, real life, like I was legit replaying the everyday conversation in Nigeria. The political debate scene was something else, the 'corrupt' politician with nothing to add speaks eerily like every other Naija politician, and I'm seated here cheering the young politician, even when we know that there's little chances of him winning over the already corrupt system in the country.

But we need more movies like this. It will go a long way in sensitising of the masses...