O-Town (film)

O-Town is a Nigerian crime gangster film written and directed by C.J. Obasi. The film stars Paul Utomi as Peace, a hustler at the center of various issues in the small town of Owerri, also known as O-Town. The film's music was composed by Beatoven and Wache Pollen and filming took place in Owerri.

Of the film, Obasi has described as a "crime-gangster thriller. It’s a semi-autobiographical tale because it draws from some of the crime stories I knew and heard; growing up in a small town called Owerri in Imo State. It’s also my exploration into genre Film-making, where I explore basically my love for film."

Story
The film is set in a lightly fictionalised version of Owerri ruled over by a sadistic gangster, The Chairman (Kalu Ikeagwu). The story is told from the viewpoint of an omnipresent, anonymous filmmaker and it follows the travails of Peace (Paul Utomi), a small time hustler with an ambition to become the head of the streets.

Cast

 * Paul Utomi as Peace
 * Brutus Richard as Sheriff
 * Ifeanyi Delvin Ijeoma as Paami
 * Chucks Chyke as The Artiste
 * Ifu Ennada as Amara
 * Lucy Ameh as Jenny
 * Kalu Ikeagwu as The Chairman
 * Olu Alvin as Viper

Release and reception
It first premiered at the 2015 edition of the Africa International Film Festival held in Lagos. Nigerian critic Oris Aigbokhaevbolo described it as "overindulgent but brilliant".

Goteborg Film Festival's artistic director Jonas Holmberg described O-Town as a “Tarantinesque” drama.

Official Selection

 * Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), 2015
 * Goteborg Film Festival, 2016