‘Gangs of Lagos’: Be sensitive to culture-related storylines, NCAC DG tells filmmakers

Olusegun Runsewe, director general (DG) of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), has cautioned filmmakers on the need to be culturally sensitive with their storylines.

NAN reports that Runsewe also called for calm amid the uproar over the recently released Prime Video film, ‘Gangs of Lagos‘.

In a statement on Friday, the NCAC DG urged filmmakers to be culturally sensitive and avoid creating stories that may cause tension and resentment.

Runsewe emphasised the importance of the Eyo masquerade as a cultural tourism product.

He also advised filmmakers to collaborate with cultural institutions and avoid cultural insensitivity.

“Lagos state government, for instance, has invested and continues to champion the growth of the creative sector, targeting young persons for training in all aspects of filmmaking and production,” he said.

“With community theatre halls built at each of its local geo-space and even with John Randle Yoruba Museum, where researches on Yoruba culture and tradition can be learnt first hand.

“So, films with narratives on the ways of life of our people must trend on best acceptable and sensitive information profiling.

“Though the world of creativity is said to hold no boundaries, when it comes to cultural narratives, careful measures, strategic profiling, and dedicated investigation should be done.

“During the last National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST) in Lagos, we, at NCAC, wrote to the Oba of Lagos, requesting the participation of the iconic Eyo masquerade.

“We were made to appreciate and understand that Eyo masquerade public appearance is guided by certain traditional ethics and procedure, so we expect our filmmakers to follow the same engagement route.”

Runsewe also appreciated Nigerian filmmakers for contributing to the country’s cultural tourism and international value chain.

“Honestly, we at NCAC appreciate Nigerian filmmakers for the efforts to use such narratives, to contribute to national cultural tourism rebirth and acceptance, including its international cultural tourism value chain,” he said.

“But we must advise that a cultural sensitivity context and content analysis should be part of both the production and post-production ecosystem.”

‘Gangs of Lagos’, which was directed by Jade Osiberu and co-produced by Kemi Lala Akindoju, was released on April 7.

The film has received positive reception as well as backlash since its release.

The Lagos government recently condemned the movie, stating that it depicted the state’s culture in a “derogatory manner.”

The indigenes of Isale Eko also threatened to take legal action against the producers of the film for portraying the Eyo masquerade in a “negative light.”