''The Department'' is a 2015 Nigerian romantic

crime In ordinary language, a crime is an unlawful act punishable by a State (polity), state or other authority. The term ''crime'' does not, in modern criminal law, have any simple and universally accepted definition,Farmer, Lindsay: "Crime, definit ...

action film Action film is a film genre in which the protagonist is thrust into a series of events that typically involve violence and physical feats. The genre tends to feature a mostly resourceful hero struggling against incredible odds, which include life ...

directed by

Remi Vaughan-Richards Remi Vaughan-Richards is a Nigerian filmmaker. Early life and education Remi was born in Nigeria, one of four children born to British architect Alan Richards (1925-1989) and Ayo Vaughan (1928-1993), a nurse educator who created the Lagos State ...

, starring

Majid Michel Majid Michel (born 22 September 1980) is a Ghanaian actor, model, television personality, evangelist and a humanitarian. He received nominations for '' Best Actor in a Leading Role'' at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2009, 2010, 2011, 201 ...

OC Ukeje Okechukwu Ukeje, known as OC Ukeje is Nigerian actor,model and musician. He came into prominence after winning the Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO) reality show. He has received several awards including Africa Movie Academy Awards, Africa Magic V ...

Desmond Elliot Desmond Elliot'' (born Desmond Oluwashola Elliot; 4 February 1974)'' is a Nigerian director, and politician He was elected as a lawmaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Surulere Constituency, in the 11 April 2015 Nigerian General Elec ...

Osas Ighodaro Osas Ighodaro (Osariemen Martha Elizabeth Ighodaro; born 26 October) is a Nigerian American actress, producer, host and humanitarian. She won the Miss Black USA Pageant in 2010, and founded the Joyful Joy Foundation, an initiative that raises f ...

Jide Kosoko Jide Kosoko (born 12 January 1954) is a Nigerian actor, director and producer. He was born into a royal family, hence his traditional title of prince or "omoba" in the Yoruba language. Early life Prince Jide Kosoko was born in Lagos on the ...

, Seun Akindele,

Somkele Iyamah Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama (born 23 March 1988) is a Nigerian TV and film actress and model. She is well known for her roles in '' 93 Days'' (2016), '' The Wedding Party'', '' The Arbitration'' (2016), and the TV series ''Gidi Up'' (2013–2014) and ...

, Funky Mallam and

Kenneth Okolie Kenneth Obinna Okolie (born February 21, 1984) is a Nigerian actor and model who was crowned Mr Nigeria in 2010 and in 2015 won the '' City People Movie Award for Best Supporting Actor of the Year (English) at the City People Entertainment Awa ...

The film which is the first feature film from Inkblot Productions and Closer Pictures, produced by Uduak Oguamanam and Chinaza Onuzo. The film tells the story of a secret department in a business conglomerate, as its gang members blackmail top executives into selling their companies to the leader of the conglomerate (

). Two lovers (

and

) however opt out of the organization, but the group wants her back for one last job. She accepts against her husband's will, who consequently decides to sabotage the department in order to save their marriage.

Cast

as Tolu Okoye *

as Nnamdi *

as Effiong *

as Segun *

as Chief *

Udoka Oyeka Udoka Oyeka is a Nigerian-American actor, director, and producer. He directed the short film, Down and Out, which was nominated in 3 categories, including best short film at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. Early life and education ...

as James Okolo *

*Somkele Iyamah as *Seun Akindele as *Saheed Funky Mallam as

Release

A theatrical trailer for ''The Department'' was released on 29 December 2014. The film had a press screening on 20 January 2015 at Filmhouse Cinemas in Surulere, Lagos; it was reportedly well received by the critics at the event. It premiered on 25 January 2015, and was theatrically released on 30 January 2015.

Reception

Nollywood Reinvented Nollywood Reinvented, also known simply as NR, is a website launched in 2011 and dedicated primarily to film reviews. It also provides information about films, actors, producers and other film people. It is one of the first review platforms ded ...

rated the film 62%, praising the story and the performances, but noted that the film lacks emotional connection with the viewers; it commented "With a stellar cast and its not-the-usual storyline, ''The Department'' aspires to so much and achieves a lot but it does not achieve it all. The movie did great work with the little details, however, together the finished work falls flat and will probably be forgotten by your next breakfast". Folasewa Olatunde praised the performances in the film, but talked down on some unrealistic parts of the film. She concludes that the film is "intriguing and suspense filled".

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Department, The English-language Nigerian films 2015 crime action films 2010s romance films Nigerian action films Nigerian crime films Nigerian romance films Films set in Lagos Films set in Ibadan Films shot in Lagos Films about revenge Romantic crime films 2010s English-language films