Oloture: The Journey | Nollywood Reinvented

Almost five years after the release of “Oloture,” its sequel, “Oloture: The Journey,” debuts on Netflix. Instead of a movie, it’s presented as a three-episode miniseries.

This sequel picks up right where the original movie ends. Our journalist, Ehi (Sharon Ooja), who is disguised as a sex worker, is on her way to Europe after a failed attempt to escape the human trafficking ring she infiltrated. This smooth transition should be applauded.

This sequel, like its predecessor, has its strengths and weaknesses. It retains the unsettling investigative tone of the first film, providing a penetrating look into the grim realities of human trafficking and prostitution. The narrative offers a front-row view into the corruption permeating the borders of many African nations. This exploration is vividly conveyed through its setting, characters, and depiction of violence.

The first movie focused more on the prostitution aspect of the ring, but in this sequel, human trafficking takes center stage. However, the prostitution element isn’t discarded; the protagonist’s actions from the first film have lasting repercussions for the ringleaders.

The perils of trafficking are portrayed with stark intensity. Ehi and her companions endure a brutal ambush where their vehicle is overturned and riddled with gunfire, leaving only her and another woman, Peju (Beverly Osu), alive. As they navigate their way across multiple borders, the ominous chant of “five dollars five dollars” follows them, symbolizing their constant peril. The filmmakers’ dedication to authenticity shines through in various scenes, notably when Ehi and Peju are transported in a water tanker. This sequence, among others, draws the audience deeply into their harrowing experiences, ensuring we aren’t detached from their reality. Sandstorms and…