Documentary chronicles #EndSARS

The October 2020 #EndSARS protest, many activists at the time made clear was a rapid response to address the long history of Police brutality and demanding justice for victims of police violence and extrajudicial killings.

It may have come and gone, but the memories of that event are still alive in many young Nigerians.

In its debut documentary, Rocksteady Production painstakingly details the  episode, providing valuable context for the events, its aftermath, the impact upon the youth, civil society, economy and rule of law.

Titled Forces Beyond our Control, the 1:27:29 minute film tells the story of the near-nationwide movement by the youths against Police brutality in Nigeria under the #EndSARS banner.

The film is put together by Justina Mathais as Line Producer, Owah Temitope Amaju and Peace Ekamni-Etukudo as Associate Producers and written and narrated by Peter Aziza and Olumide Odumosu.

It features protesters such as social activists, Rinu Oduala, Flagboii, Florence Ogbeide, Comedian Mr Macaroni, music stars Mr P, Wizkid, Davido, Flavour and others through news coverage, interviews and archival materials calling for the disbandment of SARS.

We also see youth narrates their violence experiences in the hands of some of the officers of the SARS, why they joined the protest and their disappointment on the lies that marred the protest in an effort to silence them. But, the Nigerian youths are the hero of this first of its kind protest that stood for days until their demands were answered.

The context provided by ‘Forces Beyond our Control’ is certainly helpful as it brilliantly navigates the Nigeria economic issues, the history behind the emergence of SARS, their excessiveness, earlier reports on their brutalities and extortions, the youths response under the banner #EndSARS, government responses and the immediate aftermath of massive lootings across the country.

The film combines good editing, tight screenplay and spectacular narratives. The speed at which the plot moves is extraordinary. Even as you approach the end of the documentary, the documentary is a remarkable tool that keeps reminds us never to forget.