Director: Uzodinma Okpechi
Year of Release: 2023
Cast: Wole Ojo, Sam Dede, Bimbo Ademoye, Timini Egbuson, Benjamin Toutoui, Kiki Omeili
Streaming: Amazon Prime
There’s something about leftover films( movies that go to cinemas before descending to streaming platforms) that rubs me off the wrong way (apart from the fact it’s poor) and that’s the fact that you have to wait for a long time to find out.
Take Kamsi, a 2018 original recently released on Prime Video.
It tells the story of Dozie (Wole Ojo), a man whose misfortunes led him from engineering to a “hire purchase” keke driver.
His wife who had been terminally ill passed away, and just as he strives to recover from the mountain of debt and grief, tragedy strikes again with his child falling victim to a stray bullet.
Enter Nicholas Katanga (Sam Dede), philanthropist by day, and robbery mastermind by night.
Katanga preys on individuals like Dozie, offering an escape from their hardships in exchange for loyalty.
The plot thickens when Katanga coerces Dozie into his criminal world by holding Dozie’s daughter hostage. As events unfold, a group of college graduates unwittingly intercepts Katanga’s scheme, putting Dozie in a precarious position that demands his cunning to rescue his daughter.
Yet, as the film is titled “Kamsi” after the child, one expects a deep exploration of the stakes involved. The narrative, however, falls short in establishing a compelling connection through rushed “sick bed scenes” and inadequate flashbacks.
The character of the DPO adds another layer of ambiguity. Is he complicit in Katanga’s operations, or is he merely portrayed as snarky and dismissive without clarity? The film leaves this crucial aspect unresolved.
Despite commendable performances by the cast, “Kamsi” lacks a distinct impact. It feels like an insider’s joke, leaving many viewers outside the crew puzzled.
For a more immersive experience, the film could have benefited from real-time flashbacks, offering a genuine connection between the audience and the characters.
In its current state, “Kamsi” is an inside joke- as it struggles to resonate beyond its production circle.
Kamsi rates 3/10 on XploreNollywood.
Catch it on Prime Video if you’re curious, but manage your expectations.
