Synopsis: Two young men, Wale (Gabriel Afolayan) and Chike (Kunle Remi), go in search of a treasure of “Gold Statue” which is believed to have been a deity inherited by their generation. They witness and go through a series of unimaginable, unprecedented, and unexpected ordeals when attempting to locate where the item is located.
Review
One of the first things that strikes you in the Gold Statue is the level of research that went into the fictional work. The next is the number of stars who partnered with Tade Ogidan in this movie. Most of them had worked with him at one time or the other.
The drama is fast-paced and well apportioned; the comedy is natural and connects well with the viewers. The story line leans more towards fantasy than just drama. It is a story of family history, wayward and spoiled children who want to gain wealth the fast way, and an indulgent mother.
Tade Ogidan is a master storyteller, and his hiatus of eight years has not dimmed his skills. He has aged like fine wine and added the sweetness of modern technology. He weaves the story around ancient history, modern day challenges, futuristic technology and endemic corruption in the society.
Gabriel Afolayan is in a class of his own as an actor; he always understands the task. While there is no obvious romance in this story, the chemistry between himself and Kunle Remi is the stuff of bromance: dedication and loyalty, the willingness to go all the way with and for a friend, good or bad.
Richard Mofe-Damijo is the quintessential strict dad, and his pairing with Sola Sobowale, the indulgent mum, makes for an authentic African home. I wish Sola Sobowale would shout less to get her points across. Perhaps, less could be more.
Some plot holes leave me wondering if those parts are necessary. Where in the world is a prison cell pimped up the way the female prison cell is pimped up? How are they able to dig for so long without being detected? The Computer Generated Images (CGI) look too artificial and toy-like; they could be much better.
The conclusion of the story also appears rushed. I expected there to be a bit more action and drama; not the actors telling the story, but acting it out. Overall, it is a great movie from someone whom we know to be a great storyteller. Gold Statue may not be one of Tade Ogidan’s best works, but it ranks high up there.
Gold Statue: The Cast
- Gabriel Afolayan – Wale
- Ali Baba – Mr. Manuel
- Richard Mofe-Damijo – Mr. Esho
- Sola Sobowale – Mrs. Esho
- Norbert Young – Antar
- Kunle Remi – Chike
- Motunrayo Adeyemi – Lola
- Kemi Afolabi – Capone’s Wife
- Rycardo Agbor – Capone
- Agatha Amata – Professor
- Segun Arinze – Zonal Commander
- Kingsley Arole – Aro
- Judith Audu – Christie
- Bisola Aiyeola – Samira
- Lanre Bamgbose – D.I.G.
- Vanessa Brown-Ajise – Defence Counsel
- Jibola Dabo – Uncle Femi
- Sani Danja – Jato
- Femi Durojaiye – Dotun
- Peter Fatomilola – Grandpa Esho
- Olakunle Fawole – Banjul
- Jason Hurter – Dubai Gold Merchant
- Etinosa Idemudia – Preke
- Kalu Ikeagwu – Bryan
- Kevin Ikeduba – Hammer
- Yvonne Jegede – Aliya
- Adeniyi Johnson – Poison
- Tina Mba – Magistrate
- Robert Meijer – London Gold Merchant
- Gregory Ojefua – Rambo
- Jerhiton Okpan – Gogo
- Francis Onwochei – D.P.O.
- Remi Oshodi – Woman
- Tunde Shogaolu – China
Gold Statue: Crew
- Tade Ogidan – Director
- Tade Ogidan – Writer
- Adeyeloye Lipede – Executive Producer
- Yanju Lipede – Executive Producer
- Tade Ogidan – Producer
