The Nigerian dream of hitting it big, and the search for greener pastures is now on a steep rise, as the spans of insurgency widen and corruption clings to every sector of the economy. This dream, boldened by prospects of quick success abroad, makes many Nigerians and citizens of the third-world subscribers to the “Japa syndrome.” However, these countries are pushing back. The wave of the migration crisis is a testament to this fact, leaving so many migrants in the clutters of illegal residency.
This is why the story of the NBA players and Greek-Nigerians, the Antetokounmpo Brothers (pronounced Adetokunbo), portrayed in film in the new biopic ‘Rise,’ is a timely and important movie. The movie is an apt portrayal of the themes of bond with family – a family forged by love, sacrifice and the desire to make it out of the trenches. The movie, directed by Akin Omotoso and streaming on Disney+, brings the themes of migration and family to the fore, effectively telling a narrative infused with reality and struggle.
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So, the movie is a portrayal of realities. Plunging into the narrative, these circumstances affect the Antetokounmpo Brothers, who are forced to grow up under these stringent conditions, in constant fear of hunger and deportation. Giannis and Thanasis (played by actual brothers Uche Agada and Ral Agada) are seen to share shoes to enable them to play on the basketball pitch, amidst jeers from their teammates. This aptly validates the narrative that greener pastures may not be more abundant off the Nigerian borders and that poverty is definitely not zoned to the Nigerian geography.
Rise is also a celebration of sacrifice. The narrative is punctuated by the sacrifice of the Antetokounmpo parents by leaving their first child, Francis, with the family in Nigeria. Also, Charles Antetokounmpo, once harbouring the dreams of his children becoming footballers, sacrifices his dream upon realization of their fascination with basketball. Giannis and the family also place trust in the rookie representative and scout, Kevin Stefanides, at the expense of immediate compensation by other scouts, who later steer Giannis to the almost impossible, upon his admission into the NBA Draft into the Milwaukee Bucks in 2013.
The movie is punctuated by excellent acting and screenplay, showing the dexterity of its producers, screenwriters and director. Also, its visuals are gripping and telling, thereby efficiently complementing the narrative. Rise is a big win towards the effective telling of the African story, fastened by bond, love and sacrifice, and the well-documented and chronological filmmaking process, perhaps aided by the fact that it was executively produced by the Milwaukee Bucks forward and two-time league MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo, is a clear testament to these.
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Rise is currently streaming on Disney+.
Director: Akin Omotoso
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Screenwriter: Arash Amel
Producer: Bernie Goldman
TFC Rating: 4.5/5
