Up North

Up North, a 2018 captivating movie, tells a tale of self-discovery, cultural education, and familial rapprochement, captured in the headlights of Northern Nigeria. With an exceptional cast led by Adzi Adamu, David Aisekhaleye, and Rekiya Attah, the film is blessed with authentic acting that spills over each scene, enhancing the film's nuanced themes.

The movie mainly circles around 'Bassey Otuekong’, played by the incredibly talented actor Adzi Adamu. He is a young, wealthy, and negligent son of a business magnate ‘Chief Otuekong’. He's pushed onto a different path of life when his father decided to instill some discipline. As a result, he is sent to Bauchi for the National Youth Service Corps, an annual service program for graduates in Nigeria. This sudden shift from the luxurious lifestyle filled with comfort in Lagos to a more rural setting, is an eye-opener for him and kicks off the start of his transformational journey.

David Aisekhaleye plays the role of 'Idris', a passionate teacher and local man from Bauchi. Idris emerges as a friend and guide to Bassey and introduces him to a whole new world he's never set foot in before. Then there is Rekiya Attah, who gives a beautiful portrayal of 'Aisha Dangote' – a vibrant, strong-willed girl who wants to pursue education despite the cultural restrictions and societal conventions. The interactions between these three characters lay down the most enchanting scenes, producing a unique storyline of youthfulness, humor, and most of all, heart.

Up North offers a slice of life from Northern Nigeria – a region often pushed to the background. Bauchi, in its glorious beauty, is at the heart of the movie. It showcases some beautiful panoramic views of the landscape and the city's monuments which are stunning. This movie takes its time to introduce its viewers to the box of infrastructural marvels that Northern Nigeria holds. It also gives a glimpse into a culture rich in history and heritage. It showcases the festivals, games like polo, and also the traditional Nigerian wedding customs with a splendid display of style, music, and dance.

On the other hand, the movie doesn’t shy away from showing the societal issues that are rampant in this part of the world. The underlying subtext of child marriage and the obvious disparities of gender in education are shown without making it overly dramatic. While it celebrates the essence of Northern Nigeria, it also thoughtfully portrays these issues, leaving an impact on its viewers.

It is also commendable how the director has used the National Youth Service Corps as a vehicle in the story. The service, which is primarily a means to involve the Nigerian youth in nation-building, has been brilliantly used for the character development of Bassey. This year-long journey is effectively shown as a year of growth, transformation, and realization, unraveling the layers of his character as the story progresses.

Billed as a drama, this film does its job well in stirring a bouquet of emotions. The comedy comes in sporadic sprinkles enhancing the narrative's overall feeling, while the brief moments of sadness tug at the heartstrings. The music used throughout the film is apt and helps the narrative propagate smoothly. The screenplay is well written and the dialogues especially stand out and feel real.

To sum it up, Up North is a hearty, vibrant journey seen through the lens of familially-exiled youth that taps into the culture-rich landscape of Bauchi, endeavors to challenge societal norms, and eventually brings the journey back into the arms of an accepting family. The film is successful in capturing the attention of the audience with its unique concept, affectionate humor, spellbinding performances, and picturesque visuals, wrapping it all with a thread of hopeful positivity.

This film is undoubtedly a delightful treat to the viewers and provides a refreshing taste of African cinema, a masterpiece from a culturally rich and diverse Nigerian film industry. To experience a heart-warming, culturally enlightening, and visually stunning movie, Up North is a must-watch.