The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos

The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos
Promotional poster
Directed byThe Agbajowo Collective
Written byThe Agbajowo Collective
Produced by
  • Mathew Cerf
  • James Tayler
  • Megan Chapman
  • Andrew Maki
  • Mohammed Zanna
  • Michael Henrichs
  • Mustapha Emmanuel
  • Bisola Akinmuyiwa
  • Chioma Onyenwe
Starring
  • Temiloluwa Ami-Williams
  • Debo Adedayo
  • Kachi Okechukwu
  • Gerard Avlessi
CinematographyLeo Purman
Edited by
  • Khalid Shamis
  • Mathew Cerf
  • Yiqing Yu
Music byMichael "Truth" Ogunlade
Production
companies
  • Slum Dwellers International
  • Justice & Empowerment Initiatives
  • Nigeria Slum/Informal Settlement Federation
  • Die Gesellschaft DGS
  • Raconteur Productions
Release date
  • 7 September 2024 (2024-09-07) (TIFF)
Running time
101 minutes
Countries
  • Nigeria
  • Germany
  • South Africa
  • United States
Languages

The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos is a 2024 social thriller film directed by The Agbajowo Collective, which consists of Samuel Okechukwu, Temitope Ogungbamila, Bisola Akinmuyiwa, Elijah Atinkpo, Tina Edukpo, James Tayler, and Mathew Cerf. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on 7 September 2024.

Cast

  • Temiloluwa Ami-Williams as Jawu
  • Debo Adedayo as Abisoro
  • Kachi Okechukwu as Daniel
  • Gerard Avlessi as Mitongi
  • Teniola Aladese as Happiness
  • Adosu Segun "Eskim" Segara
  • Agunto Noray

Production

The film is based on the 2017 destruction of Otodo-Gbame, a waterfront settlement in Lagos.[1] To create a realistic sense of community onscreen, The Agbajowo Collective sought out existing Nigerian communities to appear in the film.[2]

Release

Rushlake Media acquired the international sales rights to the film on 6 August 2024.[3] The trailer was released on 4 September 2024.[2] A promotional clip was released on 7 September 2024, the same day as the film's premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.[4] The film will be screened as part of the festival's Centrepiece program.[5][6]

Reception

Jared Mobarak of The Film Stage gave the film a grade of B, calling it "an effective intersection of political drama and public-service announcement".[7] Olivia Popp of Cineuropa called the film "a meaningful, grassroots-orientated debut film informed by the ongoing evictions of informal settlements in Africa’s largest city".[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ Aigbokhaevbolo, Oris (6 September 2024). "Out of the ruins: film inspired by slum clearance in Nigeria opens in Toronto". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 27 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  2. ^ a b Jones, Holly (4 September 2024). "The Agbajowo Collective Talks Toronto Player 'The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos,' Drops Trailer (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on 7 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  3. ^ Vourlias, Christopher (6 August 2024). "Rushlake Media Takes World Sales Rights to Nigerian Collective's 'Vagabond Queen' Ahead of Toronto World Premiere (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on 27 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  4. ^ Ntim, Zac (7 September 2024). "Nigerian Social Thriller 'The Legend Of The Vagabond Queen Of Lagos' Debuts This Evening At TIFF — First Look Clip". Deadline. Archived from the original on 7 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  5. ^ Bada, Gbenga (6 September 2024). "TIFF 2024: Mr Macaroni leads Nigerian delegation with Freedom Way". The Nation. Archived from the original on 7 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  6. ^ Ibiale, Hope (7 August 2024). "Two African Films Selected to Screen at the 2024 TIFF Centrepiece Programme". Afrocritik. Archived from the original on 7 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  7. ^ Mobarak, Jared (7 September 2024). "TIFF Review: The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos Captures a David vs. Goliath Fight". The Film Stage. Archived from the original on 27 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  8. ^ Popp, Olivia (10 September 2024). "Review: The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos". Cineuropa. Archived from the original on 11 September 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2024.