Things we watch, but do not see, things we see, but do not understand.

Aya!!

Articles are not supposed to be written thus. They are not supposed to contain emotions; much more mine. But what does one do, when after watching an epic movie, and tries to pen down a review, each word he writes —in review of that movie, brings back explicit memories of the scenes.

Nevertheless, I still strongly abide by the laws of writing, for they indeed, should not be broken. No one says they shouldn’t be bent though.

Permit me to digress a little; to behave as a chef, and offer you what chefs call “appetizers”. Have you ever started a random series and watched it all at once? Maybe you don’t get me. Have you at any point in time, heard about a raving movie and thought to yourself “lemme just check out this movie and see what the hype and fuss is all about,” and eventually, you ended up watching it all up at a go, awing, wowing, tsking, laughing, pausing and replaying, and still wanted more? If you have, then perhaps you can truly fathom the greatness of the Movie: Far From Home.

The movie Far from home is in one word, unique —however, if this reader was to gain access to my thoughts, words like: amazing, extraordinary, in depth, brilliant, ethereal, genius, …, would ring out louder than the used definitive phrase. Sadly, these other phrases have to remain privy to my thoughts alone.

Why is it unique? Why define the movie with that word; one may ask?. The very answer to these questions lies in the definition of the word unique.

The English dictionary puts it as:

• Being the only one of its kind; unequaled, unparalleled or unmatched.
• Particular, characteristic.
• Of a rare quality, unusual.

Anyone who has watched this movie would quite agree that it ticks most of these definitions; if not all.

An Inkblot production, with 3 Executive producers: Chinaza Onuzo, Zulumoke Oyibo, and Damola Ademola, Executive producer Erika Klopper, a Co-producer Isioma Osaje, written by Dami Ebele, directed by Catherine Stewart and Kayode Kadum, and brought together by a host of other crew members, Far From Home is a 2022 young adult home series produced by Netflix —also doubling as the first Netflix Nigerian young adult TV series. Premiering on Netflix on 16 December 2022, Far From Home portrays to viewers certain aspects of society that are watched but are rarely seen, and seen, but not really understood.

Unusual, is the perfect word to describe its setting. Being an ardent fan of Nollywood, I can say that just a few modern Nollywood movies —modern being a period of 5 years, are set in a secondary school, much more an A-grade secondary school.

As it turns out, an A-grade secondary school was indeed the right location to set the movie —for where else would one find students rich enough to afford expensive pills? Yet, choosing to set the movie in such a type of school was a test on its own, for A-grade schools operate in a structure very different from other schools. Again, the producers proved that they knew their onions, for the said structure was followed in the movie. It was indeed a brilliant choice. Yet unusual, for no one would have seen it coming —a plus.

The Far from Home story, which is essentially about a young adult’s struggle —Ishaya’s struggle, to actualize his dreams, the obstacles he faced enroute this struggle, and his responses to those obstacles, called for a talented cast; ones who could not just act, but act as rich, spoilt highschool kids. This criteria was brilliantly met with casts like: Elma Mbadiwe, Genoveva Umeh, Ruby P. Okezie, Olumide Owuru, Natse Jemide, and of course Mike Afolarin.

Far From Home brings to the viewers screen, existing topics; things that happen in our world today, and throws more light on each. Topics like: drug abuse, drug trafficking, social disparity, the different family structures in homes with different financial statuses, goal getting and its pains, manipulation and blackmail, relationship and friendship.

It voices out the unheard struggle most first born males from poor homes face, and also what most rich children go through that we don't really know —they being used as a means to an end. It speaks about fate, and how it could influence one’s decision making to either make or mar our lives —as seen in Ishaya senior’s story. It speaks about greed and its negativeness —Oga Rambo. Ambition and its fire —Ishaya, Atlas, Babatunde. Carefreeness and its risks —the students in the lab, Atlas. Relationship and its troubles —Adufe and Ishaya. Love triangles —Carmen, Atlas and Nnenna. Friendships —Michael, Frank, and Ishaya’s school click. And lastly, inferiority complex —Denrele, Frank.

It went on to pass a powerful message through Rahila's and Babatunde's story as regards the realities of society, as opposed to how many folks view it; especially those within the lower financial circle. It shows society as stoic, devoid of sentiments, and the understanding of morals, but rather following a system of dos and don’ts, giving and taking, and a survival of the fittest mentality. It paints society as a place wherein those who want to get to the top, must be go-getters, and willing to pay the necessary sacrifices to get to the top, without thinking of its moral standing or justification. Sadly, a critical look at these projections of society, would reveal to any interested person, that such is the reality of the world we live in. We watch society play out thus in virtually all circles of life, but do not understand what we see.

With an excellent cinematography, a fine blend of love and relationships into the main storyline, the perfect use of lingua; Slangs, Pidgin and English, and excellent continuity, the movie ticked most “great movie” boxes. Watching it indeed gave me a bag of emotions, for the movie is totally relatable. The movie went as far as giving a glimpse into ghetto and thug life, and the humane part of it —Oga Rambo and Government’s story.

Stand out actors; for me, in the movie were: Natse Jemide (Reggie), Bolanle Ninalowo (Oga Rambo) and Raymond Umenze (Denrele). Though not lead casts, these three basically stood out for me because their roles demanded they maintain a particular personality trait throughout the movie, and they did so perfectly. Watching; or rewatching, the movie would make you understand me. Reggie and Denrele’s roles also make viewers see rich kids in a different light, and understanding. Denrele's role in particular, cast more light on the silent struggles, some face.

Don’t get it twisted, the movie had flaws. Yes, flaws. Certain scenes didn’t quite follow logic, and the storyline —Oga Rambo's invasion of the school for instance. Again, some major casts had insufficient background story —Atlas’s story for instance, Adufe and Ishaya's love story. Also, certain scenes were unnecessary; added little or no meaning to the story, while some others were incoherent, and left room for assumptions —the relationship between Baido, and Adufe for example. Finally the story of certain casts ended quite abruptly —Joe for instance.

In all, the movie had lots of take homes, and set a high standard for subsequent Nigerian young adult TV series. I personally would give it a movie rating of 7/10. Judging from its success, and the suspense with which it ended, I would also say anticipate a season 2. For Ishaya's story is just beginning, and perhaps, Adufe's too.