Mokalik is a 2019 Nigerian Comedy film written by Tunde Babalola, produced and directed by Kunle Afolayan. The film stars Toni Afolayan and Femi Adebayo. Released on 31 May 2019, the film received positive reviews from critics. Mokalik was acquired by Netflix in July 2019, and was included as a part of the "Made in Africa" collection in May 2020.
Contents
Plot
The story revolves around an 11-year-old boy, Ponmile, who is from the middle-class suburbs and spends the day as a lowly apprentice at a mechanic workshop in order to view and glance at life from other angles. When his father arrives to take him home, Ponmile has to make up his mind if he wants to return to school or take on his apprenticeship full-time on a long-term basis.
Cast
Toni Afolayan as Ponmile
Femi Adebayo as Mr. Ogidan
Wale Akorede as Baba Nepa
Charles Okocha as Emeka
Halimat Adegbola as Mama Goke
Tobi Bakre as Goke
Lateef Adedimeji as Tiri
Ayo Adesanya as Ireti
Ayo Ogunshina as Chairman
Dayo Akinpelu as Ajentina
Feyi Sheotan as Mulika
Fathia Balogun as Iya Mulika
Jumoke George as Iya Simi
Simi Ogunleye as Simi
Toyosi Benjamin as Otunba
Popoola Tirimisiu as No Trouble
Adenike Temiloluwa as Iya elewa agoyin
Rasaq Olayiwola as Taofeek
Damilola Ogunsi as Obama
Ebun Oloyede as Daddy Jide
Darimisire Afolayan as Larondo
Hamzat Sheriffdeen as Kamoru
Samuel Olasehinde as Erukutu
Shola Olaibi as Labule
John Bala as Baba Goke
Faith Afolabi as Emeka's Girlfriend 1
Banke Akinterinwa as Emeka's Girlfriend 2
Jide Opoola as Uber driver
Production
The filmmaker Kunle Afolayan cast his nephew Toni Afolayan in the main lead role who also eventually made his acting debut. Popular singer Simi also made her acting debut through this project and Tobi Bakre who participated in Big Brother Naija (season 3) also made his acting debut. The film was predominantly shot in a mechanical village and also in Agege and Lagos. The post-production works were done in Nigeria. The film was shot with a special flexible cinema camera Canon EOS C300 Mark II camera. The film director revealed that this film was made with the intention of releasing it in Yoruba language as it was his first major film in the Yoruba language.
Reception
Nollywood Post in its review praised the movie's accuracy "The drama, the mischief, the retail stores, the canteen, the graduation ceremony down to the costumes, excessive make-up use, and the chain of command in an environment like that was accurately portrayed."