Movie Review: Behind The Scenes and the Black Tax Trap

Behind The Scenes is a movie that tackles an issue that is seldom discussed in African society, the black tax. I really commend Funke Akindele for approaching this theme from a fresh perspective in African storytelling. The movie clearly shows and warns against what happens when all you do is give, give, give, give.

I would also like to commend the visuals. Behind The Scenes was visually appealing. The vibrant shades of green, peach in the interior spaces of the characters’ homes were a refreshing departure from the usual stark whites and neutral palettes we are accustomed to in Nigerian movie scenes. It added originality and vibrancy to the film.

Best in coaching

COSTUME
Whoever handled the costume and styling for this movie ate hands down. Apart from ensuring everyone had a distinct individual look, adequate attention was paid to body structure and type. I loved the lewks. It was givingggggggggggggggggggg.

COMIC RELIEF
Even though the central theme of the movie is serious, there was still a lot of comedy to douse what could have been an overly tense film.

ACTING & CHEMISTRY
The actors all brought their A game, especially the kids. Those kids were believable and convincing. Aside from the kids, Destiny Etiko’s performance stood out to me. It was also surprising to see Funke in a villain role in her own production after many years of watching her as the protagonist, and she played it convincingly well alongside her equally evil twins. AND FOR GOD’S SAKE, WHAT WAS THAT BBL YANSH?!

RELEVANT THEMATIC FOCUS
Again, I absolutely love the central theme of the movie. BLACK TAX! BLACK TAX! Everybody surrounding Aderonke Faniran aka Crude Oil aka Ronky fella are leeches! Minus her children, her cook and the chef! Even her brother who redeemed himself was also a leech! They took and took. Lying to collect money. Diverting money from academic needs to do Ojuelegba BBL yansh. Coaching her nephews and nieces to lie to collect money from her, which eventually gets diverted into something as mundane as human hair as well. KILODEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

And the lack of boundaries enforced by Aderonke, a weak, people pleasing character. It is a given that once your wealth crosses the threshold of tens of millions, you are automatically expected to find witchcraft and chop it immediately! Witchcraft in this sense means strong boundaries and frugality. And in African society, you must be firm to the point where you are deemed wicked and a witch. If not, they will finish you! Imagine Adewale, her younger brother, taking her car without her permission and bashing it! And he is still around your house? Haaaaaaaa! Not only that, he can still come again as the loafer he is to ask you for 25 million naira because he wants to start content creation and you said ehn, I only have 15 million, not 25 million. HOW DID SHE ACCUMULATE HER WEALTH TO THE POINT WHERE THEY CAN LEECH OFF HER IF SHE IS THIS FINANCIALLY SOFT!? SHE EVEN PAID THE FIVE MONTHS SALARY HER FRIEND OWED HER STAFF. ADERONKE ANIMASHAUN KEZIAH, zukwanuike!!!

It can never be my dear friend Olumide, who would give people 5,000 naira days after they asked him for an urgent 50k naira. He explained that if his delay in sending the money is not enough deterrent, the small amount he sent should be. Of course, it’s not that my friend cannot afford to give the money neither is he wicked, but that is how it starts, and you become the go-to for every form of billing.

“My daughter wants to graduate from vocational school.”
”Iya Musili swallowed iron, please send money for her operation.”

NARRATIVE GAPS
However, I could not help but notice some downsides. I wish the writing had been more consistent instead of oscillating between strong and weak. Honestly, from the jump, it was obvious that Aderonke Faniran was being extorted by her siblings. If you have ever been a victim of black tax or lacked financial boundaries, you would immediately understand her constant worry about her nieces’ school fees and the guilt she internalized while choosing between them and other pressing issues.

That said, I wish we had spent more time with her character alone, with her thoughts, so empathy for her could grow deeper and create a stronger emotional impact.

The faked death was predictable. When my friend Philo mentioned it, I dismissed it, saying it was not possible. I felt the story was building towards showing the repercussions of neglecting yourself to cater to other people’s needs. The utter dismay I felt when I saw her in a studio watching the activities going on in her house and car behind the scenes. Rolls eye. Chelsea, come on nah.

Also, I do not know if it was intentional to throw viewers off, but it made no sense for Aderonke Faniran’s close friend, Barrister Ossai, a learned fellow to follow her to hang around a land where dead bodies had been planted.. I am not a lawyer, but do things like this not get reported to the police first? And after the attempted blackmail, why would a smart lawyer encourage her to pay blackmailers hundreds of millions of naira? I genuinely thought he was in cahoots with Mariam, her friend who we later discovered was also trying to rip her off with the omo onílé, but apparently he was on her side. So what was all that about?

Best in scamming. Amoniseni.

I could go on and on about other surprising elements, but that would deflect from the core lesson Behind The Scenes offers, self prioritization and self care. See, nobody has died and come back to life. If you work hard, you should also enjoy the rewards. If you do for family and friends, ensure you have done enough for yourself first.

It was sad seeing Aderonke’s sister turn against her after all the selfless acts she had carried out for her, but such is life. It was also jarring seeing Funke in such a villainous role. I almost entered the screen to drag her out and say, Nooooooooo Jenifa, this is not youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu.

LOL.

All in all, I am in awe of Funke Akindele’s tenacity and unwavering strength in her work and contribution to the African entertainment scene. WELL DONE.