Òlòtūré The Journey, is a sequel to the film Òlòtūré written by Mo Abudu and directed by Kenneth Gyang.
Òlòtūré Recap
Released in 2019 and set in Lagos, Nigeria, Òlòtūré, provides a grim view into the underbelly of society plagued by prostitution and human trafficking.
The film follows Òlòtūré (Sharon Ooja) under a fake name Ehi, a journalist for the Scoop Newspaper, who goes undercover as a prostitute to expose these harsh realities.
Òlòtūré takes on the life of a sex worker, living among other women in similar predicaments and luring customers on the streets. She infiltrates the operation led by Alero (Omoni Oboli) who works under Tony (Daniel Etim Effiong), a figure in the trafficking network that sends girls to Europe for prostitution. To gain Alero’s trust, Òlòtūré attends a politician’s party, where she is raped, revealing to her the deep ties between powerful men and the exploitation of women.
Despite her colleague Emeka’s (Blossom Chukwujekwu) warnings to abandon the dangerous investigation, Òlòtūré persists. She pays Alero $1,200 for her journey to Europe and joins 14 other girls, including her friend Linda (Omowumi Dada) and Linda’s sister, Beauty (Adebukola Oladipupo) . However, their journey turns out to be a brutal training ground rather than a straightforward trip. They undergo harsh preparation and are forced to take oaths of silence under threat of death.
Realizing the gravity of their situation, Òlòtūré calls Emeka for help. Tragically, Linda is killed for possessing a phone, and the girls are moved again. When Emeka arrives at their location, Òlòtūré and the others have already been taken to the border. Òlòtūré and Beauty try to escape, but Òlòtūré is caught and brought back to the traffickers.
ÒLÒTŪRÉ: The Journey
Streaming on Netflix since June 28, 2024, the sequel, Òlòtūré: The Journey continues with Òlòtūré still undercover, exposing a vast human trafficking network. The series tracks her perilous journey to Europe, marked by danger at every turn.
Following her failed escape, where only Beauty manages to flee, Òlòtūré is coerced back onto the dangerous path to Europe. The three-episode series depicts their illegal transportation and the horrific experiences they endure. Meanwhile, tensions escalate in Nigeria as Tony and Alero clash over the missing girls. The news agency withdraws its support, leaving Òlòtūré isolated.
Back in Nigeria, Beauty, finds her home destroyed and her mother dead, forcing her back into prostitution in Lagos. As rival gang, led by Ade (Bucci Franklin) target Tony’s operation, a brutal attack leaves only Òlòtūré and Peju(Beverly Osu) alive.
Determined, Òlòtūré and Peju encounter fellow travelers Ben ( Stan Nze) and Andrew (Amarachukwu Onoh). Together, they press on, despite constant threats and exploitation.
Our Take
Òlòtūré: The Journey is a much-anticipated sequel but leaves much to be desired. The series’ brevity and inconclusive ending raise questions and frustrations. Beauty’s return to prostitution and Òlòtūré’s naive decisions, like trusting strangers without informing her allies, seem implausible given their experiences. Moreover, Ade’s portrayal as a formidable figure only to be easily killed by Chuks ( Ikechukwu Onunaku) undermines his character’s menace.
Nonetheless, the desert scenes stand out, vividly portraying the perils of illegal migration. The film underscores the severe dangers of such journeys, where exploitation and death are constant companions.
The narrative serves as a stark reminder that illegal migration is fraught with horrors that are often incomprehensible until experienced firsthand.
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