“The New Patriots’, a newly released movie starring Nollywood veterans Akin Lewis, Dele Odule and other top names like Bimbo Oshin, Taiwo Ibikunle, Lateef Adedimeji, Oyebade Adebimpe, Bimbo Sunday and many more, encapsulates the theme of progressive democracy, youth advocacy and youth inclusion in decision making all in one movie.
Shot in Ile-Ife, Osun State, the movie tells the story of a country that witnessed a massive youth-led revolution and how the youths regarded as ‘The Patriots’ secured their rights from the government through a peaceful struggle without shedding any blood.
‘The New Patriots’, produced by Dr Rotimi Adelola of NUMBER9 Film Studio and directed by foremost Director Adebayo Tijani, is expected to be in the cinemas from June 11, a day to Nigeria’s Democracy Day.
Akin Lewis, who spoke with journalists on what the viewers should expect said, “Every project has its own ambience, so does ‘The New Patriots’. Great script, marvelous production, we had a lot of experienced people on ground, from the producer to the director, the cast and crew. I played the role of the President whose daughters were kidnapped, and that led to a new order of things.”
Explaining further by comparing the present situation in the country and what played out in the movie, he said, “in the movie, as a President, I listened, but right now our President doesn’t seem to be listening to the youths. I am not saying the youths are totally correct, but they need to be listened to. So, it was quite an experience. As the movie’s release date almost coincides with Democracy Day on June 12, they need to watch ‘The New Patriots’, it is a movie they will definitely like.”
For veteran actor Dele Odule who played the role of a notorious godfather – chief Balogun, who used profits from his shady businesses to manipulate elections and also cover up his shady businesses by participating in politics, “the movie is a must-watch.”
He said, “The movie shows how godfathers influence elections negatively in Nigeria. The youths became fed up and decided to revolt. It is all about revolution, they believe enough was enough and that people shouldn’t do politics to their own gain,” he added.
Another significant character in the movie is Chief Yagas, played by eminent actor, Taiwo Ibikunle.
Describing his character in the movie, he said: “Yagas is a party chairman and a political warlord. I can actually liken the situation of Yagas to our present situation in the country. How we have political godfathers, how they throw all their weight behind you, to support you for you to get to a particular level, which was what Yagas did in the movie.
Another lead character in the movie is Lateef Oladimeji who played the role of the leader of the patriots. According to him, just like the title of the movie implies, it is about some set of people fighting for the rights of others, giving voice to the voiceless and a group of young people striving to live a good life and make the people around them also live a good life.
“I played the role of the leader of the Patriots, who was able to get things done the right way without violence. They got the money used wrongly by the government and used it the right way. It is a typical story of what Nigeria is going through right now, what we have gone through in the past and what we might likely go through if we do not pay attention to any of the solutions proffered in the movie. If we pay attention to it, I think Nigeria should be a better place for us all to live in,” Lateef said.
Oyebade Adebimpe is also another fantastic actress who added colour to the movie as she played the role of one of the president’s daughters. “I played the role of the last born of the family and the spoilt brat. I don’t want to reveal too much about my character in this movie, I just want the viewers to watch this movie as soon as it’s out and you see more of me. It is a fantastic movie we all should see and learn from. Of course, it was produced by Dr Rotimi Adelola and directed by Adebayo Tijani, you know he doesn’t give us less, so as soon as it is out you all should go watch it,” she said.
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