As a child, Seun Richards dreamt of becoming a soldier, a vision that grew as he spent time around military environments. He attended Command Day Secondary School in Ikeja, Lagos, befriending children of military personnel and frequently visiting the barracks on weekends. Through primary and secondary school, his goal remained firm, and he even took the entry exams for the Nigerian Defence Academy.
However, his aspirations were ultimately put on hold when he couldn’t convince his mother to support this lifelong ambition. Years later, Richards’ journey has come full circle with his debut film ‘At Ease,’ which follows Agbo, a soldier grappling with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after returning from a mission.
‘At Ease’ is the sixth film from the twelve-film slate First Features Project, produced by Natives Filmworks and Michelangelo Productions. The movie stars Asa’ah Samuel and Anee Icha and premiered on Prime Video on October 17, 2024
Richards’ mission as a filmmaker is to “make films for social change.” His short film ‘Wallflower’ explored autism awareness, and he continues this focus with ‘At Ease,’ which tackles mental health—an often-ignored issue in society because, although most people can understand physical ailments, mental health challenges are often misunderstood.
According to the World Health Organisation, 20% of Nigerians—about 40 million people—struggle with mental health disorders. A study by Beiser and colleagues also reports that PTSD affects about 60% of individuals. Richards centres ‘At Ease’ on this often-overlooked issue, bringing awareness to mental health challenges within the Nigerian military.
Richards himself understands PTSD firsthand. In 2019, he was involved in a motorcycle accident, colliding with a bus, and the trauma left him unable to ride a motorcycle for six months. When he began conceptualising ‘At Ease’ in 2021, it felt like a convergence of his interest in the military and his personal experience with PTSD. Reflecting his belief that “film is a reflection of our life experiences,” this project became a personal and professional milestone.
Beyond mental health, Richards also aims to humanise the Nigerian military personnel through his debut film. He acknowledges the flaws within the military system and has personally experienced harsh treatment from soldiers, but his proximity to military communities has given him insights into their lives beyond the uniform. “It’s not a military story; it’s a human story because outside the khaki, they are human,” he says.
Richards recalls visiting the Defence Headquarters with his team as part of his research for the film. They were warmly welcomed, a reception that challenged his preconceptions. “It was all laughter. Some of them even teased my beards,” he remembers fondly.
This collaboration was pivotal, as military experts assisted in constructing combat scenes and played a significant role in the film’s production. Their partnership was especially evident in the opening sequence, where military guidance was instrumental in crafting an authentic depiction of combat.
Richards also received vital support from his supervising producers, Steve Gukas and Dotun Olakunri, whose guidance fuelled his confidence on set. During moments of creative struggle, Gukas helped him organise his thoughts, describing their support as “a light bulb in his head that never dies.”
With ‘At Ease,’ Richards seeks to address not only mental health and humanise the military but also to challenge toxic masculinity—a subject close to his heart. “One phrase I’ve always hated is “be a man,”” he says, explaining how this mindset invalidates men’s feelings, equating emotions with weakness and discouraging them from seeking help. Toxic masculinity, he argues, stifles men’s ability to express emotions, a crucial aspect of mental health recovery.
The film’s protagonist, Agbo, reflects this struggle, attempting to brush aside his trauma rather than seek help. Richards hopes ‘At Ease’ encourages audiences to redefine masculinity. “I’m a hopeless romantic,” he confesses. “You can be a man and have feelings. Put toxic masculinity away.”
The reception of ‘At Ease’ has left Richards both overwhelmed and grateful. Looking to the future, he plans to continue creating dramas that address social issues. For Richards, filmmaking is more than entertainment—it’s a medium for shaping culture.
