Movie Review: “I Dare Say No” Produced by Opeyemi Akintunde
Reviewed By Ajibare Abioye
Opeyemi Akintunde proves yet again why she’s a standout voice in storytelling. Her ability to weave both prose and drama with finesse is evident in her new film, “I Dare Say No”, a narrative that brings pressing societal issues into focus. The film follows three high school students —Bolanle, Sharon, and Jecinta — as they navigate family traumas and severe personal challenges. With its powerful message, “I Dare Say No” succeeds as a story with real-life application potential for exploring viable paths out of these hardships.
Standout Performances
The cast delivers several memorable performances, contributing to the film’s emotional impact. Joy Akintunde’s portrayal of Bolanle is deeply engaging; she embodies the role so completely that her performance feels entirely natural. I’ve seen Toyin Festus-Hunvenu in a few bit-part roles over the years, but she was able to make this Ninolowo character her own. The director herself, Opeyemi Akintunde, appears as a character, adding a layer of authenticity that blurs the lines between fiction and reality. These performances elevate the film, making its message all the more resonant.
Cinematography and Technical Elements
Visually, “I Dare Say No” has moments of striking cinematography. Certain shots — such as a well-executed 360-degree movement — show creative potential. However, the overall cinematography could benefit from more diversity and creativity. Multiple establishment shots are used between scenes, which interrupts the narrative flow and could have been varied for smoother transitions. Additionally, some cuts contain split-second frames that feel unnecessary, detracting from the pacing and polish. While these are minor technical details, refining them could enhance the viewer’s immersion.
Storytelling and Pacing
The film’s message is reinforced through each protagonist’s journey, particularly Bolanle’s character arc, which is both compelling and relatable. However, the pacing in some scenes feels “hit-and-run,” moving quickly from one action to the next. A bit more time spent on certain scenes would give the audience a chance to connect more deeply with the characters’ struggles and triumphs. Despite this, the film succeeds in portraying its characters’ growth as they find ways to address their challenges holistically — through spiritual, physical, and psychological means.
An Important Message for Society
Ultimately, “I Dare Say No” serves as both an engaging film and a thoughtful guide on handling issues like child defilement and family trauma. The director does an admirable job of presenting a call to action, reminding audiences of the responsibility filmmakers have in shaping societal values, particularly for Nigerian youth. Whether faith-based or secular, they need to take responsibility for the morals of Nigerian children, pushing forward godly lifestyles and not, for the sake of art, validating ungodly living.
Conclusion
While “I Dare Say No” has areas for improvement — specifically in cinematographic variety, pacing, music scoring in the earlier parts, and subtitling — it succeeds in its mission. The performances are convincing, the characters well-developed, and the message crucial for society. This is a film that has something valuable to say, and it says it in a way that could echo for years to come.
The link to the movie is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUDHqsuh-cA
Till the next review, stay blessed!
Film Credits
(October 28, 2024)
119 minutes
Deep Thoughts Films Production
Cast
Joy Akintunde as Bolanle
Oluwatooni Adesina as Sharon
Rejoice Eze as Jecinta
Pius Chioma Obi as Principal
Seun Adejumobi as Pastor Bruce
Edet Elijah as Festus
Toyin Festus-Hunvenu as Mrs Ninolowo
Opeyemi Akintunde as Herself
Crew
Director
Opeyemi Akintunde
Screenwriters
Opeyemi Akintunde, Tola Bolaji, Lekan Ojo and Olaoye Mofoluwaso
Cinematographer
Adesoye Israel
Editor
Ogunjobi Oluwaseun