And there it was; the movie “SHACKLES”. Released from the stables of the collaboration between Flaming Sword Ministries International and the Mount Zion Film Productions, the movie delivers on its promise of being something special.
We observe that even though this is an FSMI production, and previous recent movies ( Abejoye series [2018 & 2019], Roaring Fears [2018], and Life of the Billows [2017] ) have their setting in the USA, Shackles is set in Nigeria, and we get to know through the credits that this movie was produced by FSMI Abuja. So we see that whether an FSMI-MZFM movie is set overseas or within Nigeria, it always produces something powerful. There are so many wonderful things to say about this movie.
“Shackles” is rich in characterization; almost every character has something specific they are doing and something we can learn from them. Every actor delivers their lines in a believable manner, and the acting is really well done. I’m particularly impressed with how Evelyn, played by Margaret Anenih, articulates her words. Her husband Edward (Idiagbonya Samuel) brilliantly portrays a father who has been waiting for a child for ten years whose prayers get answered.
He is excited and passionate in conversations about his son. I also like his strong way of speaking; almost every sentence he makes is in the tone of a pastor teaching the congregation something important.
I’m quite sure the most impressive character in the movie is Gashiki as played by Mike Bamiloye. Most memorable is his performance of the song “Evelyn, my Love”. He is the character whom we’d love to hate immediately, but whom we can’t for the period he sings that song. We later see him for who he really is, and then we don’t hold back our feelings of hatred towards this representation of the devil.
A sincere performance by Gloria Bamiloye hits the mark as she plays a false prophetess. This movie really got me thinking because, unless one really looks deeply, her Professor (Dr) Mellion Umbanisi character is not easily identifiable as an agent of the kingdom of darkness. Believers really need to know their God; else they’d fall for all manners of false doctrines and prophets.
I also like the portrayal of the relationship between the spiritual leaders in the movie. Like a well-oiled engine, the exchange of information between the General Overseer (Bolanle Olusola) and one of his pastors (Gabriel Akpanke) is smooth. We see a display of accountability and mutual humility and respect displayed by both men.
Another thing this movie does is to take its time in establishing its plot and storyline. Its 112-minute runtime ensures that each scene achieves its purpose in the movie. Even though one or two scenes feel a bit long, the mess Evelyn gets herself into is that complex and it isn’t easily resolved. Right from the beginning, the conflict is established, even though we do not know the details yet.Evelyn and Edward have just been blessed with a bundle of joy in the form of a ten-year awaited son, yet Evelyn is sober at the naming ceremony. This is a stark contrast to her husband’s demeanor, who is voices-top at the event. This sets the foundation of their conflict as we eventually travel with her down memory lane. We get to know about their challenges in waiting for the promised son, and how they meet Prof Mellion and Gashiki. They get the son through demonic influences and they have to battle the forces that want to steal their joy and destroy their lives.
There is something profound about the character of Melandra Gashiki. When you think about it, he doesn’t really do anything that propels the movie forward. He’s just out to condemn Evelyn for her misdeeds. We notice this because at first, he comes to Edward in a dream to “notify” him that Mellambua, the baby, is his son. He appears to Evelyn during her birth labour forcing her to admit that the baby to be born is his son.Gashiki’s actions are centred on Evelyn and Edward admitting that the baby is his. He threatens, harasses and torments them; this is what the devil does too. He’s like a dog that barks but has no real bite. The devil only operates in our lives according to the size of the room we give him to do so. Also, we see that sin only thrives in secrecy. Though Evelyn keeps praying in the name of Jesus and confessing the word of God, she still needs to repent of her crooked way and be put right before her God.
One standout moment of the movie is the feeling of a Musical which it gives us. The tune had been played steadily through the movie but when Melandra Gashiki delivers the vocals in “Evelyn ,my Love”, it all comes together. I haven’t seen anybody who saw Mike Bamiloye perform that song that wasn’t delighted or pleasantly surprised. After watching the movie, that’s most likely the tune you’d be humming for the next couple of days. I had started singing it, but when I remembered that the character that sang it was from the kingdom of darkness, I reconsidered my singing it, lol. Nonetheless, that music is guaranteed to give you an enchanted feeling.
Two other remarkable scenes involve the use of some stunning visual effects. The place in Prof Mellion’s guesthouse where Gashiki appears to Evelyn achieves its aim. The two pillars, the chandelier and the placement of the characters in proportion to that interior of the house give a surreal feeling, and at the end of the day, even Evelyn naively says that she has had a dream. Thumbs up to Joshua Mike-Bamiloye for those wonderful visuals. Some CGI was likely involved and it was awesome. We hope for more of that in Christian movies. Secondly, the showdown between Evelyn and Gashiki in a clash of swords was very nice. If anything, I only wish that scene were longer. Nonetheless, it was a scene with a good feeling.
I feel that the character of Gashiki being introduced with a song is reminiscent of the role of the Lucifer in heaven before his banishment. He produced music and worshipped before the very throne of God. He was then corrupted and was banished. He used the song as a tool in deceiving Evelyn, and that’s what he still does in this dispensation. Today, music is being used as a tool for corruption in the world. The tunes are pleasurable but many times, the lyrics and music videos are immoral, and corrupting, especially for children. This shows we have to be careful of the content we take into our lives.
It is also important to note here that the scene with God, Gashiki and Evelyn draws a clear line: Gashiki is like the devil who stands as an accuser of the brethren before the Lord. We see that God is not oblivious of Evelyn’s misdeeds, but He is after restoring her, rather than condemning her. We see that what God does is to take our sins far from us, rather than input them to us. The scripture, ‘Blessed is he whose scenes are forgiven” (Psalm 32:1) is apt here.
All in all, this is an amazing movie. We hope that it will be released for download soon. It has so far been premiered on the World Movie Cinema of Damilola Mike-Bamiloye. Once it’s released, we’ll notify you on this blog. After you watch it, feel free to post your comments on your impression of the movie.
Next, we’ll be reviewing Abejoye Season 2. Watch out!
Witness Gospel Movie Reviews 