Retro Nolly: 'State of Emergency' and Saint Obi's Best Act
Teco Benson's State of Emergency is a reminder of how far Nollywood has come in choreographing action sequences.
Retro Nolly is a weekly series of retrospective reviews of classic Nollywood films by Seyi Lasisi. We will be looking at these films with modern eyes, dissecting what made them unique and how they speak to today’s filmmaking, culture and society.
Directed by Teco Benson, State of Emergency tells the story of a group of dissatisfied soldiers who morph into terrorists, invading towns and disrupting the peace in the nation through acts of kidnapping and murder. The terrorists kidnap and hold nine ministers hostage.
Smith (played by the late great Saint Obi), is a detective concerned about these tragic situations. The sloppy attitude of his superiors in the FBI doesn't dissuade him from pursuing the criminals. Although what propels Smith’s interest in capturing the criminals isn't clearly defined, the audience is intimate with valuable information: Through a visual vue — a drawn sign on the floor in blood — Smith recognises the group as the disbanded Omega 12, a super secret division of the military used by the Nigerian government to do horrible things in war-torn countries around Africa.
Sampling Hollywood-esque filmmaking patterns and tropes is common in Old Nollywood films. State of Emergency is an indication of that. The naming of the police unit FBI recalls years of cinematic exposure to Hollywood action thrillers and crime dramas. The holding of the politicians hostage and the efforts of the police officers to salvage the situation are replete with Hollywood tropes.
The action sequences, which unfortunately are not well-choreographed in comparison to recent New Nollywood productions, show how far the industry has come. The availability of resources to hire stuntmen and involve actors in rigorous physical exercise has made contemporary action films look much better. But it has also made these newer films feel too choreographed; lacking in being tethered to realities obtainable in Nigeria.
Similar to the films I have reviewed, what makes this film a worthwhile watch despite the apparent absence of technical know-how is the screenplay. Even when the film distances itself from what is realistically attainable in the country, the story finds a way to maintain balance. The cast and crew ensemble under the direction of Benson made one of the films that gave Nollywood its earliest action films.
Still, the film brings a crushing realisation and pain knowing that Saint Obi, who plays the lead role, is dead. But art triumphs over mortality. As one watches films starring Obi, he continually lives on. In State of Emergency, Obi’s performance is notable for its calculated composure and convenience. Though his character — a police officer concerned about justice — isn't one Nigerians are familiar with in their daily reality. But Obi’s performance brings a subtle prayer that all police officers will become like him.