Director: Adebayo Tijani
Story, Producer: Yewande Adekoya Abiodun
Cast: Mercy Aigbe, Yewande Adekoya Abiodun, Ibraheem Chatta, Fatai Odua
Genre: Yoruba Fiction
Year: 2017
Time: 2 hours 21 minutes
Directed by Adebayo Tijani, this genre follows Adekunle Adedigba (Ibrahim Chatta), the eldest son in a royal family who demands to be king after his father. He will not have it when the oracle chooses his step brother (Damola Olatunji) over him. Incensed by the disgrace, he retrieves and unleashes a mystical stone encasing the dreaded Ayoka (Yewande Adekoya Abiodun), his notorious ancestor. She was to avenge him and bring death to Irepodun. The script had a few potholes. Like after Ayoka had been let loose why did she go after the chiefs and not the king? Yewande Adekoya (Kurukuru) played two characters to perfection, as Ayoka and as Awero (her twin). She gave a sterling performance and her rage was seconded only by Ibraheem Chatta (October 1).
Mercy Aigbe (Date Night, The Screenplay) doesn’t disappoint as Adekunle’s wife. Her fainting and jumping-awake scene during Ayoka’s return was impressive. Set design (by Wale Adeleye) and locations were on point, from the hut houses to the matted insides. Amulets, adornments and the war regalia (by Ayanmo Ige) were as intimidating as they were colourful. Dialogues were emotionally reinforced and the story kept to the edge as much as possible. The suspense lasted till the end, even though the final showdown was over before it’d started.
Written and produced by Yewande Adekoya, the film is a gripping concoction of hardheadedness and unbridled power.
Iyawo Adedigba is rated 7/10 and shows on iROKOtv.
Watch the trailer here.
