Movie Review: Áfáméfúná – An Nwa-Boi Story.

“If you marry a monkey because of money, the money will one day finish, but the monkey remains”.

Kanayo. O. Kanayo

I love the fact that the movie didn’t portray human ritual as a means of making money. Because it is superstitious and inhumane. This is not to say people aren’t involved in it. But that human ritual is just a term to cover up money laundering, fraud, and other form of illegality.

The movie from start to finish was intriguing and exciting. Though, the producer and writer were trying to sell a narrative that I found disturbing, however, their point was understandable. We’ll get there later.

Afamefuna was a man like his father and master. Men who will toil the soil, with long streams of sweat and sometimes blood breaking on their backs and legs. Rather than steal or beg.

Afamefuna was a man who understood what integrity entails. He was so passionate about his apprenticeship that he rose to a rank even his master was mirthful about.

He was attentive to his job. Always on point. Making friends and avoiding enemies. Mapping his terrain to know where his territory borders and how to make good harvests from it.

He would have ended up being a doormat man even though he was honest. That’s where Paulo comes in. Paulo was a senior colleague at first, then a friend, later a brother, and unfortunately in the end, an enemy.

Paulo is like men who aren’t able to sustain themselves to the end. May not be exactly their fault; some seeds don’t reach the farm.

Paulo was a friend who thought Afamefuna the way of the street, the modus operandi of doing business among sheep, goats, and tigers. Integrity was not enough. Honesty was not enough. Kindness was not enough. The good man must pose as a warrior to defend himself and attack enemies. That’s who Paulo was to Afamefuna; his shield and sword.

Afamefuna’s father raised his son using his experience, never leaving his son in the dark, feeding him daily with the wisdom of sages. Giving men a highlight on raising quality sons. Which by pure serendipity, the young man quickly leveraged in his time of need – when his boss was almost going bankrupt and helpless.

The movie portrays hard work and integrity as the key to success. Having a keen eye to spot a good location to start a business and becoming the mayor of that town.

Afamefuna had a crush on his boss’s daughter, however, his timidity, and also, the engagement of Paulo to the beautiful damsel he admired stopped him from making any amorous move.

This damsel, Amaka indeliberately turned Paulo into Afamefuna’s worst and bitter enemy. Afamefuna has to take much blame here, however.

Paulo got jealous that Afamefuna got the blessings of his boss and has now gained his freedom. That act unfurled the dirty nature of Paulo, eroding his little integrity and efficiency. Paulo became wild and angry and sort for other means aside from legality to make money, riches, and wealth. Of course, he made a lot of money but at the cost of his dear life.

Afamefuna getting married to their boss’s daughter, Amaka, was another fuel that aggravated the fire of hate between the duo who were once friends but now enemies.

Afamefuna broke the bro code: Bros shouldn’t lust after their bros sisters, girlfriends, and wives. Paulo too broke one of the bro codes: Bros shouldn’t eat where they shit; he was dating his boss’s daughter.

Amaka also portrays the fact that women don’t mind jumping high fences, crossing seas, and values to prove their love for a man they have a genuine desire for. She stole from her father to feed the fraudulence of Paulo, her boyfriend who promised her marriage but later jilted her. Funny enough, after many years of separation, she was still entangled with Paulo despite his ill-treatment of her. Genuine desire has a taste of Stockholm syndrome.

Afamefuna capitalized on the abusive relationship of Paulo et Amaka. He was able to lure his long-time crush into a housewife. Surprisingly, unfortunately, and unknowingly for him, he paid a dear price by raising Paulo’s biological son. He was a victim of paternity fraud.

Paternity fraud is where I have an issue with the writer and producer of the movie. Amaka wasn’t scolded for her actions. Probably, she didn’t know because she was playing a home-and-away sex match. Rather she was condoled for her fraud.

Instead of letting Lotanna go meet his biological father, Paulo, Afamefuna didn’t, and that was used as manipulative bait by Paulo to blackmail him. All Afamefuna wanted was peace to reign in his life and family, however, he was paying a high price that was detrimental to his total well-being.

Children of paternity fraud shouldn’t suffer maltreatment due to the negligence and atrocities of their mothers. However, letting the truth known from the onset is better than covering it in an attempt not to hurt the kids. It doesn’t help the kids in the long run.

Paternity fraud is a great crime against fathers and humanity. Fathers and kids involved can only survive this storm by making the truth known and administering justice.

Apprenticeship is a good way of raising soft hands who will later become moving economic forces. The Igbo Apprenticeship System is still in vogue, but it needs better regulations for the efficiency and raising of strong economic leaders. This can scale to every part of the nation.

The picture quality of the movie was top-notch. Good actors. Good play. Good movie.

Thanks.

Source: NaijaChoice News