Watch October 1

October 1 is a Nigerian movie released in 2014, directed by Kunle Afolayan and produced by Tunde Babalola. The movie highlights some of the events leading to Nigeria's independence on October 1st, 1960, and how it affected some of the inhabitants of a rural southwestern town called Akote. The movie opens with a grim chase scene in which an injured woman is fleeing through the forest while a man pursues her. The scene is set in 1960, and the country is transitioning into independence. The arrival of a new police officer, Dan Waziri (played by Sadiq Daba), in Akote town is marked by this palpable tension. Dan's mission is to investigate a series of murders that have been happening in the town.

As he begins his investigation, he discovers that the murders all have a direct link to the forthcoming independence of the country. The various suspects include a village chief, who is eager to ensure that the town does not fall under the authority of the neighboring town, and other characters who have secrets that must be unravelled before the killer can be identified.

The setting of the movie is displayed in a breathtaking scene of lush landscapes and natural beauty throughout Nigeria. With his sharp and vivid lens, Kunle Afolayan recreates the rural Nigerian village in the early 60s in great detail, with costumes, houses, and props that evoke nostalgia for the colonial era.

The plot of October 1 is set in motion as Detective Dan Waziri begins his investigation, and as he seems to be unraveling the mysteries surrounding the murders, the residents of Akote start uncovering secrets of their own. It soon becomes clear that the murders are not the only problem in the town, as there are other social, political, and personal issues that need resolution.

The production and direction of October 1 are fantastic, especially the cinematography, which is one of the movie's greatest strengths, a visual interpretation of the turbulent period in Nigeria's history. With his outstanding crew, Kunle Afolayan displays the visuals of the vast and diverse African landscapes in a way that captures the audience's attention and emotions.

The storytelling throughout the movie was as engaging as ever, with a mix of suspense, humor, and drama. The director effectively combines different elements of Nigerian culture to make the movie more relatable, intriguing, and thought-provoking. He communicates Nigeria's history in a way that is polished and entertaining, making the movie an excellent educational platform for those who are not well versed in Nigerian history. While the director tackles the theme of Nigeria's independence, which is an essential part of Africa's journey towards self-rule, he also incorporates some of the problems that Nigeria, and indeed Africa, still faces up to date.

The performances of the actors were also noteworthy. Sadiq Daba gives a captivating performance as Dan Waziri, the skilled detective trying to solve the murder mystery, while Kayode Olaiya portrays the role of Jegede, a village chief with secrets to keep, excellently. Ademola Adedoyin gives an excellent portrayal of Prince Aderopo, whose character is key to solving the mystery as the 1st of October approaches.

In conclusion, October 1 is a compelling film that tells a story about Nigeria's history and its journey to independence. With its captivating plot, excellent cinematography, and acting, the movie is worth watching, not just for the storyline, but also for the message it passes across about Nigeria's past struggles and current challenges. The director cleverly uses the story to reveal some of the societal ills, still rampant in Nigeria and Africa at large. It is an excellent tribute to the hardships that have shaped Nigeria's existence and the continued unity and progress it hopes for.

October 1 is a 2014 thriller with a runtime of 2 hours and 25 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.