I was invited for the premiere of House of Ga’a last night and I was beyond impressed with my experience. The premiere took place at Terrakulture, VI Lagos.
True to their word the red carpet started promptly from 6pm till 7:15pm with guests and celebrities trooping in endowed in beautiful costumes according to the dress code theme “royal warrior”.
By 7:15 PM, the guests were seated, and the opening speech began. The speakers welcomed the royalties and dignitaries in attendance and shared the movie’s duration before it started. True to Bolanle Austen Peters’ style, the production was exceptional.
The film told the story of a power-hungry prime minister named Bashorun Ga’a, who was portrayed impressively. As the movie unfolded, you could hear expressions of disappointment, awe, and whispered reactions from the audience.
I truly enjoy seeing Nigerian stories told by Nigerian storytellers. During the movie, I was taken back to the 18th-century Oyo Empire, exploring the tale of Bashorun of Ga’a—a story that many may not know. He was a power-hungry minister who, through his physical and spiritual strength, made himself a kingmaker. His thirst for power led him to pursue unimaginable goals. This was also a time marked by the slave trade, where women were often viewed as either possessions.
I really enjoyed the moment when Ga’a’s wives and concubines picked up knives and fought. It was a proud scene for me as a woman. The actors delivered fantastic performances, but Femi Branch and Mike Afolanyan stood out the most for me. Femi completely embodied the character of Bashorun; I felt a mix of emotions—fear, anger, and disbelief. While the movie focused on power struggles and warfare, there were also sweet moments between Mike and the Princess, along with some funny scenes that helped balance the intense emotional buildup.
Bolanle Austen, the cast and crew did an excellent job of bringing this story to life. The movie was a meaningful look into history, providing younger audiences, especially those unfamiliar with Yoruba culture, an insight into that era.
After the movie, we moved to the after-party, which had plenty of food and drinks (I had three bowls of palm wine) along with great music. It was a wonderful way to wrap up the night, as everyone mingled with the stars and danced until morning.