- Popular Nollywood actor Femi Branch has decades of acting experience
- However, there are opinions a swashbuckling performance as a lead role has eluded him for long
- Here is a review of his performance as the lead act in House of Ga’a
A lot has been said about Bolanle Austen-Peters’ movie, House of Ga’a, which has been dominating trends and discourses globally, following what many have branded an impressive showing.
From the storyline and acting to the special effects and even the cast list, House of Ga’a ticked the boxes for a lot of critics, while some simply believe it is overhyped.
Regardless, one person who stood out for me in the movie was Femi Branch. I have been a fan of the popular actor and director for a very long time and I believe that he is not an average actor even if he doesn’t boast of the flamboyant portfolio of many of his contemporaries. For every cameo he makes in movies, his talent always shines through, and this has made me wonder why he hasn’t got more lead roles, got more flowers for his skill.
Being a trained dramatist always helps. He studied Dramatic Arts at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, putting him in an esoteric club with the likes of Akin Lewis, Hafiz Oyetoro, Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD), Stella Damasus, Helen Paul, Mercy Aigbe, and Femi Brainard.
From the breakout days of the MTN television commercial Dance with Me in 2003 and the Domino soap opera, Femi, who dropped his family name Osunkoya for Branch because of his religio-nominal conviction, has come a long way in the Nigerian movie industry.
You’d expect someone who began acting decades ago to have many blockbuster lead roles to his credit or at least a career-defining one. Think of Ayinla for Lateef Adedimeji, King of Boys for Sola Sobowale, Jenifa for Funke Akindele, Alakada for Toyin Abraham, Blood Sisters for Deyemi Okanlawon, Up North for Banky W, Mufu Oloosa Oko for Odunlade Adekola and Jelili for Femi Adebayo.
Femi Branch during the premiere of Bolanle Austen-Peters' 'House of Ga'a'
However, this is not the case for Femi Branch. When you think of the Ogun-born actor, which movie does his name effortlessly evoke? Unless you have been following his stage plays and troupe, this would be a difficult task up until House of Ga’a.
His acting prowess and role interpretation brilliance came to the fore in the Netflix-powered movie. Similar to how Femi Adebayo made a lasting impression on viewers with his Ogundiji character in Jagun Jagun and Sola Sobowale in King of Boys, Femi Branch is definitely up there with his Bashorun Ga’a performance.
The only tiny issue is that Bashorun Ga’a doesn’t have memorable pickup lines like the aforementioned. And speaking of lines, a ferocious warlord who had fought kingdoms and counties far and wide could have done with a lot more proverbs and idiomatic expressions.
And considering the old Oyo Empire was the epicentre of Yoruba civilisation in the pre-colonial era, such linguistic prowess should have come naturally for a legendary warrior.
That aside, the climax of his performance arguably was when he lost his son in the fight with Kizz Daniel’s brawny bodyguard, Kelvin, who played the role of a conquered warrior sold into slavery. Bashorun Ga’a got home and wailed until he burst into tears, “Emi Gaa, emi Gaaaaaaa..."
The light-hearted part was when he was paralysed, unable to move from a spot, yet his physical condition didn’t stop him from mocking Zeinab, his Nupe slave-turned-wife, while he was huffing and puffing to move himself.
The 2023 movie Adire, where the 54-year-old actor played the role of Pastor Mide, served as a perfect buildup to House of Ga’a. Even though the honour of the lead role went to Kehinde Bankole, he still had enough screen time to showcase that he’s one of the best in what he does best.
And after climbing back to mainstream Nollywood consciousness and getting his big lead role break in House of Ga’a, the hope is that he’ll get more and keep reminding people of his immense talent.
Reactions to Femi Branch's Bashorun Ga’a character
@Init_kouture said: “That man has always been angry, he used all the anger in him to play that role.”
@ajayiyout expressed: “I be like no be the same Femi Branch weh I know?”
@iamfemikiti reacted: “Femi Branch is just too good on those kind of roles.”
@Juhb05 shared: Since that animation "iwaju" I already know he got it
@Selma3540039682 said: “Especially that sainab knacking part I repeat am tire.”
@TeewestIGD commented: “Never knew he could bodied such character. Ijoba GA’A.”
@michaelkeywood5 said: “Very excellent.”
@xclusive_bbest simply said “He killed it.”
@NtisinziraJ noted: “Give him his flowers.”
Bolanle Austen-Peters: How movie director is preserving cultural heritage through Nollywood
Earlier, TheRadar profiled popular Nollywood director Bolanle Austen-Peters and how she has played a significant role in preserving African culture through her films, art, and stage plays.
As the founder and director of Terraculture, an art and culture space and the brain behind blockbusters such as House of Ga’a and Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, she has set the pace in the Nigerian film industry, breaking frontiers to document history through her storytelling skills.
