Gofestival Director reviews The Train movie
By Oluwafemi Dosu
Professionals from different quarters have not stop speaking about the biography movie, The Train. The movie captures the true life story of legendary Filmmaker, Evang. Mike Bamiloye.
Early today, a statement which contains an outstanding review of the movie was sent to Gospel Film News room.
The review which was professionaly done was sent in by Gospel Film Festival Director, Evang. Olaitan Faranpojo.
In the review, he noted that The Train is not Just a Mount Zion Faith Ministries; it is a bold pronouncement of Family, Perseverance and Faith in the world full of discontent, frustration and Persecution.
In his words, alot of people watch movies for the characters, people they can feel like they know & maybe even care about.
“our lives are like tales that is been told, it’s always a difficult task shooting biography films, Because it’s a film that dramatizes the life of a non-fictional or historically-based person or people. Such films show the life of a historical person and the central character’s real name is used. They differ from docudrama films and historical drama films in that they attempt to comprehensively tell a single person’s life story or at least the most historically important years of their lives,” he told Gospel Film News.
Below is a further breakdown of the review as done by Olaitan Faranpojo.
“PRODUCER
The producer supervises the pre-production, production, and post-production stages of filmmaking. One of the most important tasks is to hire the director and other key crew members. the producer typically manages the logistics, business operations. The success of the film shows the depth of coordination of crew and cast by the producer. Three major challenges a producer that knows he’s onions faces when producing a great movies are
1.) The Story 2.) The Director and 3.) Director of Photography. Once the narrative is right, the producer proceed to source for a very creative director and director of photography that will deliver the story creatively to its original audience.
WRITER
Stories are an essential part of any film because they’re responsible for creating the dialogue, characters, and storyline that make up a movie script. The train was written, produced and photographed by Damilola Mike Bamiloye(a biological son of Evangelist Mike Bamiloye with over 30years of encounter with the major character). It was an easy task for the writer with every materials at he’s disposal. but He’s ability to choose selected areas of the characters life can only be inspired by God.
THE STORY
The story started with the exit of a Abayomi’s Mum. There are so many turning point for Mike Abayomi Bamiloye in the movie, which will make me suggest many titles for the movie (Titles like Bro Mike, Otaobayomi, Alaba, Olushola, Omo Obenbe,MAB, The Genesis, The Calling, Vision Carrier), but The Train was chosen for the movie, because the writer knows how the Train experience later re- defined the character’s ministry in the future. And since HE has kept he’s faith in God, he is like a moving train.
Like many biography film. The Train refused to portray Mike Bamiloye as an Holier than thou, that came from heaven to save the world. Many movies will even shows how thunder strikes and heaven almost opening for angels to show the audience know how special the character to planet earth.
The film also exposes a lot of secrets of many years and provoke questions from the audience. Many never knew Sister Gloria as ALABA. It also exposed what Bro mike went through in the process of getting married, he’s labored for love or the Grandma’s prayer for him, while pounding yam” Wa kuku Jere, ise Owo e” meaning ‘you will reap the fruit of your labor’.
It’s very interesting that Bro mike only cried Three times in the movie (apart from when he was a child).
1. When he left Adeyemi College of Education
2. When he was almost denied the love of he’s life
3. When he wanted God to use him to write the Agbara- Nla Story
This actually define what is important to Mike Bamiloye in Life, Education, Family and God.
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
The director of photography, also known as the DP or the cinematographer, assists the film director by establishing the visual look of the movie. As a DP, youll help tell the story through the artistic and technical decisions you make regarding lighting, film stock, shot selection, camera operation and other elements. A DP’s duties and responsibilities include the work he does before, during and after film production.
The director of photography works with production designers, art directors, set dressers and even wardrobe crew and hairstylists to help establish the look of the film and its individual scenes. The decisions made in this area should support the script and the directors vision and result in imagery that the camera can capture.
The quality of the pictures came from the excellent work done by the CINEMATOGRAPHER. He gave his very best by using one of the best camera to photograph one of the inspiring stories in Africa. The compositions was great and his approach to focus on necessary details was very Godly. His management of location and space shows how prepare he is for the future. He is definitely going to be the joy of many producers because he will help saves cost.
EDITING
Good editing can help a movie move at a good pace suiting the story and establishing a proper engagement with its audiences. when scenes are edited well, emotions, tensions and mystery can be colligated in the right shot. THE Train is VERY PROGRESSIVE, especially with the 3 Sisters gossiping and Interceding for Bro Mike. The Film Time And Real Time was really managed creatively. the transition to the wedding ceremony was very inspiring and emotional. It happens to be one of my best scenes. The editing was smart, creative and progressive.
MUSIC
Music in film serves several functions. Among them, it helps shape emotional responses, creates a rhythm to scenes and segments, and comments on the action. Music is often crucial to the experience of a scene and, in some cases, becomes as iconic as the movies themselves. The music was really inspiring specially the re-arrangement of ‘ORUKO JESU YI MA TOBI YEYE’ By Jay Mike. The sound track was wonderful, well positioned to complement the story as a whole.
FOLEY
It is the reproduction of everyday sound effect that are added to films, videos and other media in post production to enhance audio quality. This is one of many Christian films that paid attention to Foley.
I thought it was coincidence but later realized that it was a deliberate attempt to add value to the movie.
CAST
Casting can be controversial for biographical films. Casting is often a balance between similarity in looks and ability to portray the characteristics of the person. Because the figures portrayed are actual people, whose actions and characteristics are known to the public (or at least historically documented), biopic roles are considered some of the most demanding of actors and actresses
Seun Adejumobi , Omolara Ayoola, Tolu Mike- Bamiloye and others, gave their very best. All the characters released all necessary spices AND energy needed for each scenes. it was really interesting re-enacting a living character with thousand of readymade audience that can easily SPOT any mistake.
Since Evangelist Mike Bamiloye has invested spiritually, emotionally, Financially, Academically, Dramatically and Personally in many lives and ministries, which explains the quality and quantity of casts in the movie.
DIRECTORS
Directors turn a script into a movie; they are responsible for the quality of the final product and its success. In most cases, directors work on films far longer than any actor, technician, or editor, from the first day of brainstorming to the final release; it is no wonder that directing is physically, mentally, and emotionally draining. The film also parade 2 fantastic creative directors with over 2 decades of experience and exposure to the main character. Yemi Adepoju and Femi Isaac Akintunde, both members of the Mount Zion Faith Ministries HAPPENS TO direct the historical movie. I felt their creativity and originality in the film. they were never carried away with civilization of Language, they maximized the characters potentials and spiced it up with real-time experience.
Criticism
Virtually any movie, even a great one, can fall victim to continuity errors and factual inaccuracies. In most cases, these mistakes go unnoticed by the public. But some are so glaringly obvious and downright ridiculous. its a miracle how they survived the editing process. ( From that Starbuck coffee cup to the plastic water bottle in the shows finale movie of THE GAME OF THRONE.
There will always be something missing in props, costumes or set design. but the quality of story cover up all the short comings in the movie The Train
Conclusion
The train delivers two of the most memorable of the year. it’s a film that believes in the power of God to connect with its audience in a way that can change their lives forever and encourages them to work for God.
It’s not preachy dialogue and the fact that the major character in the film was interviewed at the end of the movie made it a true and believable story.
The train reminds us that sometimes, we must merely cross the board as pawns to be crowned kings OR QUEEN
MIKE BAMILOYE IS A MOVING TRAIN
FARANPOJO OLAITAN
@FARANPOJO OLAITAN
