Citation
Ratings: 4.7/5
Duration: 2 hrs 31 min
Language: English, Wolof, French, Yoruba
Genre: Thriller, Drama
Director: Kunle Afolayan
Writer: Tunde Babalola
Based On: True Events
Producer: Steve Ayorinde, Yinka Oyedeji, Seun Soyinka
Cinematography: Jonathan Kovel
Editing: Laja Adebayo
Art Direction: Olamide Ojo, Seun Oremade
Release Date: 31 October 2020
Streaming On: Netflix
Star Cast: Jimmy Jean-Louis , Temi Otedola, Adjetey Anang, Samantha Okanlawon, Casilda Okanlawon, Bukunmi Oluwashina, Ini Edo, Gabriel Afolayan, Ray Reboul, Joke Silva, Oyewole Olowomojuore, Sadiq Daba, Gbubemi Ejeye, Toyin Bifarin Ogundeji, Bienvenu Neba, Ropo Ewenla, Yomi Fash-Lanso
Plot: The film is about a student who speaks out after a university professor attempts to rape her, and the reaction of the university institution to the claims. The film is broadly based on true events.
Review: The latest Nigerian Original, Citation is a drama about sexual assault on college campuses, allegedly based on true events. It provides a West African angle rarely seen by the rest of the world, told in stark, shocking details.
The story centres on smart and determined college student Moremi (Temi Otedola), who accuses celebrated professor Lucien N’Dyare (a charismatic Jimmy Jean-Louis) of sexual assault. Much of the drama unfolds in a tribunal, as university authorities listen to testimony from Moremi, N’Dyare, and other witnesses and advocates. Moremi’s relationship with her professor began from a place of genuine and harmless admiration, when he claims not to know how to drive a car, and she agrees to teach him. That seemingly innocent exchange leads to an unexpected field trip to Senegal, where their relationship enters a more turbulent phase.
By depicting an environment where rape culture has been normalized due to oppressive assumptions related gender and sexuality, director Kunle Afolayan delivers an impressive take that crosses all boundaries.
It shows the life of Moremi, bringing forth the many complexities regarding her claim. The film is split into two parts; the events leading up to the attempted rape and the private trial hearings between Moremi and the professor.
Citation depicts how the party who holds the most power is the one who has the stronger voice. The story is brimming with bravery and inner strength as the smart young woman vows to stand against what happened to her. The situations following the unfortunate incident show how often it happens that the victim is forced to feel shame and not the perpetrator.
At two hours and 30 minutes, the movie would have the tendency to stretch out the narrative and become monotonous, however, with such a strong subject at its centre - Otedola’s complex character portrayal of the anger and frustration that the character feels so outreached to the audience. Citation maintains the thrill and the drama throughout!
