REVIEW: ‘Mission To Osoogun’ is a commendable docuseries on Ajayi Crowther

After three years in the making, ‘Mission to Osoogun,’ the first part of the docuseries on the life and legacy of  Samuel Ajayi Crowther, premiered on January 17.

The documentary, produced by travel journalist Pelu Awofeso, sheds light on the remarkable achievements of Crowther, the late bishop and Yoruba linguist. While it shows promise, the documentary falls short of excellence due to its deviation from the central focus, camera handling issues, and lack of subtitles. Despite these shortcomings, the docuseries is a commendable effort, and we look forward to seeing how it develops in subsequent parts.

SYNOPSIS

The 45-minute documentary explores the hometown of the late clergyman; where he and many others were taken as slaves.

THE STRONG POINTS

One of the standout elements of the documentary is its immersive setting. Filmed in the late Crowther’s hometown, the location lends authenticity and depth to the narrative. The visuals vividly bring his story to life, showcasing key landmarks like his father’s now-dilapidated house, the tree where he was tied after being kidnapped, the school he later established, his honorary statue, and various signboards providing context to significant locations linked to the clergyman’s life. Rather than just hearing the story, I could visually connect with these places as they appear today. This approach makes the documentary more engaging, authentic, and compelling while also highlighting the thorough research that went into its production.

The narrator’s storytelling is also commendable. He recounts Crowther’s life in well-detailed bits, adding specific names and dates of significant events, addressing misconceptions — such as the claim that the clergyman was from a different town — and explaining how he came to be known as Crowther despite his Yoruba heritage. His relatability stands out, as he is both the town ruler and, at some point, an eyewitness to some of the events he described.

The cinematography is impressive, with crisp and clear camera quality.

THE WEAK POINTS

One of the main shortcomings of the first part of the documentary is its deviation from the central focus. While the film is meant to showcase the life and legacy of Bishop Crowther, it occasionally shifts to the challenges faced by the town’s residents. One moment, we’re delving into significant events in Crowther’s life, and the next, the documentary shifts to complaints about road conditions and power issues. While I understand the intention behind highlighting the town’s development, it feels out of place in a documentary that is supposed to center on Crowther’s life and legacy. Especially in the first part, which forms the initial impression of the entire series. By diverting the focus to local concerns at this early stage, the documentary risks diluting the core narrative. It would have been more appropriate to address these local concerns later in the series, allowing the story of the clergyman to take center stage in the beginning.

Despite the high-quality camera used, the handling of it detracted from the overall visual experience. While the camera quality was excellent, there were noticeable issues with stability during certain shots. At times, the camera appeared to be shaking, which disrupted the flow and made it harder to fully immerse in the story. If the camera handling had been more stable, the cinematography would have been much stronger, as the quality of the footage itself was on point.

The constant background sound became a bit distracting, especially during the narration. I feel that the sound could have been toned down or removed when the narrator was speaking. It made it difficult to fully focus on the narration. Additionally, since much of the narration was in Yoruba, it would have been helpful to include subtitles for those who do not speak or understand the language. This would ensure the documentary is more accessible to a wider range of viewers, making it easier for everyone to connect with the story.

FINAL VERDICT

‘Mission To Osoogun’ gets a 6/10