DVD: God’s Own Country

DVD Reviewed by The Evil Dr Sanchez, Esq.

Editor's Rating:  

(6 /10)

Starring: Dauda Momodou

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This short film follows the journey of Ike Ajayi, an African lawyer who fulfills his mother’s dying wish that he leave their volatile Nigerian homeland to immigrate to ‘God’s Own Country’, the USA.

Upon arrival in New York, Ajayi (newcomer Dauda Momodou), finds the realisation of the American dream illusive, his legal qualifications are not recognised Stateside and his uncle has lied to him about his wealth and success in the Big Apple. Ajayi is confronted by racism and the world of credit card scams but manages to maintain his honour and integrity until his sister (who has remained back home) becomes involved in an accident and some fast cash is needed to save her life. Not to spoil the plot, let’s just say Ajayi finds himself facing life-altering decisions without anyone to turn to for advice.

Momodou, whilst at first being a little stiff, eventually warms to his role. Ajayi is essentially your atypical good son and brother, when you see that he is about to be played or fall further into the abyss you want to shout at him ‘No man, don’t do that, what would your Mum think?’

First-time short film director Femi Agbayewa has managed to convey not only the grittiness and harsh edge to life in the big city but has also captured the profoundness of being stuck between a rock and a hard place (or as Ajayi so succinctly puts it: ‘A choice without a choice is still a choice’).

What lets this film down is the sound levels which occasionally fade in and out as the actors perform their lines. One can imagine this piece was made on a ‘no-frills’ budget but having to strain to hear a pivotal part of dialogue between integral characters is always distracting from the narrative, not to mention pretty annoying. The soundtrack, however, more than makes up for that and the selection of hip hop anthems perfectly compliments the stark reality of the life Ajayi finds himself living.

If you’re looking for a fresh look at the urban immigrant experience, check out God’s Own Country, it’s not for the faint hearted.