House of Ga'a Movie Review: An unbiased tale about fatal ambition

Ticking all the boxes for a Greek tragedy, House of Ga'a is a Nigerian historical drama that offers a critical and honest portrayal of Nigerian history. Contrary to other mainstream historical dramas, this film presents a distinct and unbiased narrative.

Set in the 18th century, House of Ga'a begins at the battlefield with the narration of the protagonist, Oyemekun (Mike Afolarin), about his father and the tragic hero, Bashorun or commander-in-chief Ga'a (Femi Branch). Having tasted victory and captured several slaves, Ga'a sets out on his self-obsessed pursuit of power and lust. How he brings about his fall after being appointed the Prime Minister of a province by the Alaafin, or the king of the Oyo dynasty, is what the rest of the film is all about.

Writer Tunde Babalola excels in weaving together the factors that lead to Ga'a's downfall: yes-men in the form of his eldest son Olaotan (Jide Oyegbile), magician/healer Sasa L'eniyan (Ibrahim Chatta), and his Nupe slave-turned-wife Zeinab (Tosin Adeyemi), all of whom feed on Ga'a's power drunk actions, that drives him to his ultimate destruction. To add to this, his obsession with authority stems from his thirst for vengeance over the injustice meted out against his brother. Despite knowing the consequences, Ga'a recklessly pursues his ambitions even if it means striking down his own kith and kin, making him a tragic hero.

Although House of Ga'a is a Nigerian film rooted in Yoruba culture, its universal themes of war, revenge, and lust make it relatable to a broader audience. Actors Femi Branch, Tosin Adeyemi, and Mike Afolarin are outstanding in their respective roles. Femi as Ga'a is especially exceptional in his cold reaction to one of his wives' miscarriages and his opportunistic care for Zeinab, so he can have intimate relations with her.

Film: House of Ga'a

Cast: Femi Branch, Funke Akindele, Mike Afolarin, Toyin Abraham, Ibrahim Chatta, and Tosin Adeyemi

Director: Bolanle Austen-Peters

Streaming on Netflix

The film may look problematic to some for its treatment of women and for its ruthlessness and unscrupulousness, but that is when you see an 18th-century lifestyle through a 21st-century lens. Director Bolanle Austen-Peters is clever enough to narrate the story from the perspective of Oyemekun, the only good character in the film, thereby getting the didactics right. Austen-Peters has employed deux ex machina quite convincingly by re-introducing Princess Agbonyin (Bridget Nkem), who turns Oyemekun and Alaafin Majeogbe (Dele Odule) against Ga'a in the third act.

The competent cinematography serves as a powerful storytelling tool. In a particular scene where Zeinab leaves Ga'a in the face of an invasion, we get a tight shot of the latter when the former says, "I am not one among them, I am a mere slave," which are his exact words when she earlier asks Ga'a if he is truly going to make her wife and not a concubine.

The ending of House of Ga'a is poetically fitting as Oyemekun, who was looked down upon when he suggests sparing the life of a Nupe soldier, becomes the only surviving member of the family.