Directed by Muyideen S. Ayinde. Written by Sharafadeen Olabode. Starring: Yomi Fash Lanso, Bisi Komolafe, Muyiwa Ademola, Dele Odule, Moji Afolayan, Seyi Ashekun. Produced in 2013. Rated: 18. Genre: Fantasy Drama. Running Time: 180 Minutes.
“This is indeed a strange world, where people do strange things for strange reasons.” These are the words of Prof. Tanmo (Yomi Fash Lanso) when he comes across some mysterious phenomena. Prof. Tanmo Amubieya is a Philosophy lecturer who doesn’t believe in the existence of a creator, and he instils his atheist belief in his students. En route Lagos from Ibadan, he is taken on a weird journey to Oloke land. His astounding experiences change his life and mentality forever.
Set in Ibadan in 1961 and 2011, the mystical thriller-drama, Aye Tuntun is a nice work of fiction across time and space. The costumes, props and scenery are true to type; and the good cast, particularly the protagonist, Yomi Fash Lanso and Akode (Late Bisi Komolafe), look every inch their character; and they act it too.
Muyideen Ayinde’s Aye Tuntun has divinity has its central theme. Other minor themes of the movie are: diversity, communalism, customs, religion and family. The dialogues, a mixture of Yoruba and English are not bad.
The scene I find most amusing is where Baba Akode and well-wishers dance and laugh when Mama Akode dies. I like the silhouette of Prof Tanmo and Akode against the blazing sun during their first meeting. Another scene I find very interesting takes place when an odd-looking Prof Tanmo comes back to a world he no longer fits into. He argues with a young lady as to whether the year was 2011 or 1961. However, I find it unsettling that the lady tries to convince him about the date instead of taking to her heels.
A couple of scenes are a trifle too long. For instance Prof. Tanmo spends too much time wandering around Oloke land before he sees some people. Also, when he gets back to Ibadan in 2011, he spends so much time in roaming the streets. While persuading a fresher to study Philosophy, one of the old students erroneously refers to the philosopher, Pluto as Plato. The subtitles, though not flawless, are far better than most movies of the same category.
The minor imperfections notwithstanding, the movie, Aye Tuntun is worth your time and money. If you want to see a different world from yours; a world where snuff is their lifeline, where people dance and laugh when someone dies, and where they weep because a child is born, where the leader stands while the subjects sit down, Aye Tuntun is a must-see.
