As found in the end note of “Behind the Scene”, Isaiah 45:15 – 17 (MSG) describes God as the one “who works behind the scenes”. It is an assertion that helps our faith and trust in the Lord, a thought that every true believer needs to have as they navigate the oceans of life. This is the movie’s core message (though the title should most likely and actually be “Behind the Scenes”).
This production is a direction of Adeniyi Famewo, and a forte of his is cinematography, which is evident in this movie through the moving shots, as well as the varied establishments shots – especially in a time when aerial views have been overused and have dulled creativity. Having fans on during shooting usually poses problems for sound recording, but the crew for “Behind the Scene” were able to pull it off successfully. The film tells the story of Clara who is faced with the challenge of childlessness and has to find her way through the mental, emotional and moral struggles that may accompany it.
“Behind the Scene” has some nice scores, although they are sadly not credited. In a similar vein though, there is room for finesse in the music, especially when it’s also trying to preach the title or message beneath actual dialogue.
The acting was quite credible too, as Abayomi Ojo and Ife Oyedunmade had an onscreen synergy as a couple. I find the scene where they both were playing a TV game heartwarming, as it highlighted Clara’s love and sense of possession of Segun.
There are a few grey areas in “Behind the Scene” though, particularly with the ordering and length of its scenes. The whole sequence about her journey to Abuja for a conference, meeting up with an old flame, giving in to lust and Segun having a child outside wedlock has got me wondering whether they were dreams, imaginations or reality. Furthermore, many of the short scenes such as Clara’s anger at Segun after seemingly having been comforted by him are mostly inconsequential, and therefore unnecessary. Each scene must be playing a particular role in plot advancement, character development or setting up stakes.
At the end of the day, God comes through for Clara in a most unusual way. However, the appearance of Mr Rufus, and his solution-bringing story-within-story, in the third act and not before, seemed a bit off to me. After all the buildup in Act 1 and 2, to start reinvesting in Joyce’s life felt somewhat abrupt. Nonetheless, I must confess that seeing her worship God after all she’d been through was deeply moving. Cohesiveness in story plotting should be given priority so that gospel movies come out in the best way possible.
The link to the movie is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNopnnPgTC0
Till the next review, stay blessed!
Film Credits
BEHIND THE SCENE
(September 15, 2024)
75 minutes
WATEM
Cast
Ife Oyedunmade as Clara
Abayomi Ojo as Segun
Idowu Oluwaferanmi as Mama
Eunice Adepoju as Tomi
Samuel Olupelumi as Rufus
Crew
Director
Adeniyi Famewo
Writer
Samuel Olupelumi
Screenwriter
Adeniyi Famewo
Cinematographers
Opeyemi Ayinla and Olatunde Raheem
Editors
Opeyemi Ayinla and Idowu Ayinde
Witness Gospel Movie Reviews 