SHANTY TOWN: AUTERING A COMMON STORY WITH A NEW DIRECTION

Joseph Omoniyi

Synopsis/Summary

Shanty Town is a trending and moving Nollywood series on Netflix. From the stables of Giant Creative Media, the six-episode series tells the story of a group of courtesans attempting to escape the grasp of a notorious kingpin. However, political corruption and blood ties make their escape an almost impossible goal. The crime-drama series, which employed a multi-lingual mode of expression, was produced in 2023, set and shot in Lagos, Nigeria. Written by Xavier Ighorodje and Donald Tombia, directed by Dimeji Ajibola, produced by Chinenye Nworah and executively produced by Xavier Ighorodje, Ini Edo, and Uche Jombo. Shanty Town features heavyweight actors like Chidi Mokeme, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Sola Sobowale, Shaffy Bello, Ini Edo, Uche Jombo, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Nancy Isime, Peter Okoye, Mercy Eke, Zubby Michael, Aliu Nuhu and Toyin Abraham.

CDP

The central dramatic problem of Shanty Town is the courtesans’ struggle to gain freedom from the grip of the principality and powers in Shanty Town, ably represented by Scar.

The film’s thematic relevance and cultural compatibility are undeniable, as it captures the harsh realities of life in the slums and underworld with raw authenticity and emotional depth. While many who were born with a silver spoon may not get it, those born and bred in the harshness of the slum areas of Lagos and some other cities across Nigeria will connect to the reality represented in this story from the first minute. There are places in Lagos whose reality stands shoulder to shoulder, if not worse, with Shanty Town.

The casting was outstanding, with a talented cast that brings a sense of realism and authenticity to their roles. The role interpretation, emotional preparation, and particularisation are all spot-on, making for an emotionally engaging viewing experience. Chidi Mokeme ate Scar in Shanty Town.

Plot/Sub-plot/Plants

Shanty Town begins with a well-constructed series of opening scenes that serve as the origin story of the whole plot but end up fumbling with its loads of ‘what-in-gods-name-is-this’. In the slum area of “Shangisha“, a mother of twin girls wakes up her children for their regular family morning devotion, only for them to be, almost immediately, interrupted by a bomb blast very close to their bamboo apartment. The audience is thrown into the chaos unleashed by gunshots, explosions, and hot chases. Then, a man’s intervention to save the mother and her children from one of the violent invaders that entered their room and put them on a boat to escape the mayhem was halted by running bullets piercing through his chest, and that of one of the twins and they hit the ground. The shooter approaches with his bloodshot eyes. But the man manages to push the boat offshore for the mother and the twin, still alive, to escape.

As they paddle away in a panic right in the middle of the waters, they are overtaken by one of the groups of invaders brandishing AK47s. As one of the thugs, “Oscar”, aims his gun at them on the order of the leader to take them out, the screen fades to black. This is clear and compelling storytelling that keeps the audience engaged in the story. Until 18 years after, the present day of the story, where it spends two precious episodes establishing the status quo.-

We meet an adult Scar who runs Chief Fernandez’s illegal ventures of kidnapping, prostitution, drugs, and ‘cannibalism’. Inem or “Amanda”, as the prison CO refers to her, has just been released. She calls someone to pick her up, and that person turns out to be Ene, who is shocked to confirm Inem is still alive. Inem reveals her desire to walk and work her way back into the underbelly of Shanty Town. When all the girls see her return, they go into a frenzy for someone they had heard died a while ago. Shalewa (Nancy Isime), who was used as collateral for her father’s debt, wants to get freedom out of the “zanga” after her friend, Jackie (Mercy Eke), got hers by paying off her debt. We don’t understand how she gets a ‘gratuity’ after paying off this mysterious debt. Ene wants to remain the ‘Madam Overseer’ of the Shanty Town girls – sex workers. Chief Fernandez (RMD) intends to become Lagos State Governor. Dame Dabota (Shaffy Bello) wants to take out Chief Fernandez, not just for a longtime personal beef, but for her to sit on the highest political seat in the same state.

But there is a problem. No, not the situation the characters face now; I’ll get to that in a bit.  For starters, the Central Dramatic Problem is not central to the plot. The only person who wants freedom is Shalewa; Jackie is already on her way out. Every other courtesan is enjoying life in Shanty Town, as evident at Jackie’s freedom party scene. The first two episodes are purely telling and not showing. Lack of conflict, spark, and impetus. We are left dry at the end of the first episode with no cliffhanger but a feeling of ‘what-in-gods-name-is-this.’ Feels like a documentary.

However, away from our problem, as that’s how the creator of the series thought to leave the problem with us, “that’s their problem”. To the introduced characters’ problems/conflicts. Shalewa approaches Scar to request her freedom after Jackie helps her complete her debt. Only for him to demand she pays a total of fifteen million naira accumulated debt from food, security, abortion expenses, STD treatments, security, and jazz from “MamaT” for about three years of her stay. It makes one question how old she was three years ago when her father came to drop her off as collateral. Inem struggles with hostile Enem and adapts to the new reality in Shanty Town. Enem’s ambition is threatened by the presence of Inem, who used to be the ‘mama for the girls’. Scar finds himself between the devil and the deep blue sea after he is kidnapped by Dabota and offered a new assignment to sacrifice his boss, Chief Fernandez, in exchange for his own life. For Chief Fernandez, Dabota is his unknown nightmare.

How do they approach their individual problems? Shalewa meets Femi Fernandez as an opportunity to make money as fast as possible to buy her freedom out of Shanty Town. Ene sets Inem up. Inem has to endure the harsh reality of working as a sex worker when she gets picked by Chief Fernandez, who enjoys violently harassing and ‘torture-sexing’ the girls. With the help of Mama T’s “touch and follow” jazz, Scar uses Shalewa as bait to get Femi to bring his father’s supernatural ring. Now, one would think using a mystical element to set up fantasy around the character of Chief Fernandez was for a purpose. Still, I waited in vain to witness that ring’s significance. And, I thought the ring was supposed to be a blood-sucking device when touched by anyone, but Scar kisses it and still has the energy to steal a disdainful look at the Chief he openly worships. The purpose of that look is unknown.

There are a lot of holes in the plots that they use grim violence, nudity, and promiscuity to cover up without really saying anything about anything.

It may not connect well with classes A and B of society. However, that’s not a bad idea. According to a school of thought, there is nothing like an audience again. What we have is the user. Consumption is mapped by content preference. It is now ‘audiencing’ (verb, process), not audience (noun). There are profound audience dynamics according to taste buds. So, it is good if Shanty Town is for a specific audience. Making the box office successful is what is more important to the producers.

Screenplay

The screenplay is okay, with well-written dialogue, until it starts using dialogue to get away with everything. After that, a smooth story flow and maybe a satisfying conflict keep the audience entertained. The art director’s amazing job makes the story relatable and a pleasurable viewing experience. Unfortunately, the twist and tango in the story are somewhat predictable.

The first set of frames we see shows us a group of thugs and naked young ladies packaging drugs in an unidentified factory space somewhere in Shanty Town. Then, with a smooth slow pan of the camera, we are introduced to adult Scar moaning quietly to a blowjob. His adventure is interrupted by a call – someone very important wants to see him. Then, “The Accountant” walks in to inspect the sales, and after confirming that everything is in order, he drops “chief’s message” for Scar – “…to see him tonight…not a second more”.  Cut to, Ini (Ini Edo), a security agent attempting to convince the head of a prison warden of her ability to undercover as a prostitute.

It lacks a clear and compelling story arc. However, the subplots and plants are woven into the main narrative, creating a rich and nuanced story, but how much of it is emotionally powerful and intellectually stimulating?  I’ll leave that to the discretion of the audience. 

Character and Characterisation

The character and characterisation in the series will score 30 for lack of dimension to the characters that drive the story and the needlessness of some of the supports like Colorado, Mama T and the useless guy that calls himself Scar’s second in command. But, the casting was outstanding, with a talented cast that brings a sense of realism and authenticity to their roles. The role interpretation, emotional preparation, and particularisation are all spot-on, making for an emotionally engaging viewing experience. Chidi Mokeme ate Scar in Shanty Town.

Cinematography

Manned by Jonathan Kovel, the cinematography in Shanty Town is masterful, with careful attention to detail in every shot. The lighting and camera angles are used significantly, creating a sense of atmosphere and mood that perfectly captures the series’ themes and setting. The sound design is also excellent, adding depth and meaning to the film’s visuals. But the music score fails to live up, lacking emotional value in some scenes.

Directorial Prowess/Production Design/Post-production

The art direction and production design in Shanty Town are outstanding, with careful attention to detail in every aspect of the film’s setting and mise en scene. The props and costumes are all perfectly chosen, creating an authentic and believable world that immerses the audience in the story.

The post-production work in Shanty Town is seamless, with smooth cuts, transitions, and colour grading that enhances the film’s visual and emotional impact. The sound design, theme music, and Foley are all expertly crafted, adding an extra layer of meaning and emotion to the film. However, continuity is lost in some scenes, when Scar pins Shalewa to the wall in his office – while threatening her  – in the profile shot, the close shows him holding his ‘drag’ in the same hand he uses to squeeze her neck while the drag disappears in the MCU. Also, at the scene where Scar’s bus was attacked, blood stains suddenly emerged on the bus after we had been shown an initial shot immediately after the bus got hit.

However, the directorial prowess of Shanty Town is evident in every scene, with a strong sense of style and control over the storytelling technique. In addition, the director’s use of cinematic elements is masterful, creating a film that is both visually and emotionally powerful.

Lesson Learnt

It is a film that reinforces cultural values, national integration, crime-nipping, and the good above evils. The film explores the themes of freedom, power, poverty, social inequality, and the struggle for survival in one of Nigeria’s most challenging environments.

Conclusion

The Shanty Town is a series that may not resonate with some people. Still, there’s a large audience section due to their backgrounds, cognitive sophistication and cultural relevance, which will help reception and interpretation. It may not connect well with classes A and B of society. However, that’s not a bad idea. According to a school of thought, there is nothing like an audience again. What we have is the user. Consumption is mapped by content preference. It is now ‘audiencing’ (verb, process), not audience (noun). There are profound audience dynamics according to taste buds. So, it is good if Shanty Town is for a specific audience. Making the box office successful is what is more important to the producers.

Verdict

In conclusion, Shanty Town is an okay film series by the Nollywood standard of filmmaking. While there is always room for improvement, the film is a triumph of storytelling, filmmaking, and acting. Therefore, I would give this film a grade of 60% as I believe you should see it.