Documentary: ‘On The Move’ spotlights resilience of Lagos hawkers

‘On The Move’, a fictional short film is set to debut on the Reaktor Nigeria YouTube Channel on Aug. 21 (for the short film) and Sept. 4 (for the documentary).

It was reported that the film is built around one central idea, the daily grind of Lagos hawkers and the resilience it takes to keep moving despite the odds,

The short film directed by Gbenga Adeoti and produced by Adebisi Olaoluwa, is a collaboration between Reaktor and EbonyLife.

Adeoti explained that the movie is a reflection of the reality many Lagosians and Nigerians live daily, the constant pressure to survive.

He noted that in Lagos, nearly everyone is on motion, waking up, working through the day, returning home, and repeating the cycle.

The film’s intention, he said, is to counter the idea that this has to be the only way to live, encouraging people to move beyond the survival mindset that circumstance often forces on them.

Also, its documentary component, ‘Chasing Tomorrow’, follows the real lives of three Lagos residents working as hawkers while supporting their families, examining the economic pressures, exploitation, and difficult living conditions that come with informal employment, as well as the determination that keeps them going.

On of the casts member, Ezekiel Abayomi, who spoke on his role as a lead, explained that bringing the character to life was enjoyable because it reflected the kind of stories he is drawn to telling, ‘stories about realities people witness daily but often overlook.’

According to Abayomi, `once an actor connects with the script, the rest of the process, stressful or not, becomes easier to navigate.’