Stories abound on the state of love in Lagos. It’s in flow everywhere, and you can hear it on the streets, in third spaces, and even in religious institutions. Life, to be fair, is beautiful when there’s someone to share it with, but in the heavily populated, chaotic city in the south-west of Nigeria, there seems to be a sense that no one should love in Lagos (case in point: “Them no dey love for Lagos,” from No Love in Lagos by SDC and the Cavemen).

You’d be forgiven for expecting a happily ever after for the protagonist in Chapter Ex, the newest short film from the team at Mavin Films, not because that’s the expected end, but because, as Nigerians, we can’t but hope for some joy in the midst of all that we naturally (read politically) have going on. Unfortunately, you’d be wrong.

Chapter Ex follows a young woman, Eve in affectionate bliss in the city of Lagos, who, concerned for her relationship’s future and the future for a family, interferes in her boyfriend, CJ’s nefarious dealings in hopes of securing their future together. (The film's title interestingly is a play on the title of Mavin's 10 year anniversary label album, Chapter X)

It’s tender intent, but as we soon learn rather painfully, it’s naïve, and naïve in Lagos is dangerous. We are also, in its own time, thrust into a world of love and betrayal, of a hidden past that spins the threads of fate. 

The tale is compelling, with its many twists and turns, and we are made to question, just as a lot of people already do here in Lagos; 

Is it worth it?

What burdens are we taking on, what hidden sorrows, what secrets from a partner’s past can come back to haunt the present love?

The performances are good, with Tomi Ojo embodying all the hope and dreams of a woman in love. She’s deaf to the complaints of the SDC song and her mother, focused on forging a future with the man of her dreams, even if she has to force the hands of fate to favour her. 

Deji Osikoya on the other hand plays her golden man, a charming composite of attention, affection and danger. I posit that may have some of the appeal. He’s committed to a new life with her and even though her mother and her friend believe that she’s made a huge mistake, he’s there, reassuring her every step of the way.

Amarachi Audu brings a committed performance to the character, Candy, one of storied duplicity. She is, for most of the film, a dotting friend, offering advice and fashioning a desperate plan for a happily ever after. 

Candy is sweet and supportive, even as she plots her bitter end for the couple, toeing a very fine line between believability and melodrama. It’s a solid outing for the main cast, and even though I found the denouement to be an insult to my better senses, I think Chapter Ex is a well-shot step forward for the team at Mavin Films. 

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Chapter EX is out on YouTube on the 12th of November.

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