Popular film director Lancelot Imasuen has expressed the need for the government to engage the services of the local security outfits to address the rising wave of insecurity in the country.
The filmmaker made this appeal against the backdrop of the remaking of the action-packed thriller, “Issakaba’ , which was first produced in 1999 amid resounding ovation.
“Issakaba” was inspired by real life events. It was an action-packed thriller that chronicled the activities of a community vigilante group called Bakassi Boys fighting against armed robbery and other crimes. It also depicted the activities of armed gangs terrorising shoemakers in Aba and the resolve by the shoemakers to fight back using the mystical power as against conventional means of policing and they got the needed results. ISSAKABA stands for truth and justice and fairness.
The plot revolved around the Issakaba Boys, led by Ebube (Sam Dede), who had to fight against armed robbers who terrorized their society. The armed robbers possessed certain mystical powers in their robbery activities. Because of this, Ebube and his team of Issakaba boys also acquired capabilities that enabled them to fight against robbery. The movie was full of action, horror, and drama. Lancelot posited that given the rising cases of insecurity in the country today, there’s an urgent need to engage the services of vigilante groups like ‘Issakaba to restore peace and tranquility in our local communities. “Looking at the level of insecurity in the country today, there is no better time to remake Issakaba than now,”Lancelot said. .
According to him, “when the reboot is finally released, it will definitely return the heydays of the movie industry and perhaps, provide the needed bridge between the old and new Nollywood.
Speaking further, Lancelot said the reboot became necessary following popular demand by lovers of the movie on all social media platforms, a call he couldn’t ignore anymore.
“Even notable comedians and musicians including Davido have continued to use the word Issakaba in their songs which has continued to garner huge popularity. “The feeling is indescribable, the name Issakaba that was coined by the makers of the movie has become a household name in Nigeria and beyond. I feel personally fulfilled that an artistic expression of mine has continued to garner such massive popularity. Comedians, music stars find it difficult to conclude their works without mentioning Issakaba.”
Already, the internet is buzzing as Lancelot recently unveiled a star-studded cast of the reboot, and the list will shock you. Fillers from the industry, also indicated that the reboot will definitely be one of the best movies to come out of Nollywood this year.
Sam Dede, who played the lead character as Ebube in the first production and Chiwetalu Agu are making their comeback again. They are joined by the likes of Chidi Mokeme, BBNaija Phyna, Regina Daniel, Nosa Rex, Iyabo Ojo, Sanni Danger Alex Osifo, popular content creator Mark Angel. Others are Francis Onwochei, Charles Okafor, Ben Olaye among other Nollywood greats.
Produced by the late Nigerian filmmaker Chukwuka Emelionwu, and Moses of Mosco production,the five-part movie was a household favourite in the early 20s.
Other actors that starred in the movie then were Pete Eneh, Amaechi Muonagor, Susan Obi, Mike Ogundu, John Okafor, Andy Chukwu, Zulu Adigwe, Diewait Ikpechukwu, Remmy Ohajianya, Emeka Nwafor, Tom Njemanze, Uche Odoputa and Emeka Ani. The movie project is being sponsored by Lancelot Imasuen Media Network Limited, LIAM studios, WithinDlens Limited and Laho Music worldwide studios Limited.