Family means different things to different people. For Segun Arinze and the cast of Reuben Reng’s ‘Katangari Goes to Town,’ the concept of family is at the heart of their storytelling and personal lives.
During an insightful discussion, the actors explored the joys, challenges, and complex dynamics that shape familial relationships. Their perspectives provided a profound look into how families function as both a support system and a source of conflict.
Family is viewed by the cast as a complex and multifaceted entity. Gbubemi Ejeye, who plays Chatong Gyang, describes the unit as “home,” a place of peace, and also wahala. “No matter how far you go, they are the ones who know you to your core,” she explained. This duality of family as both sanctuary and challenge resonated deeply among the group.
For Segun Arinze, who portrayed Katangari, family is not just flesh and blood; it could also be friends. He applauded his friend, whom he refers to as a “brother from another mother,” speaking of a bond that endures regardless of distance or circumstance.
The conversation veered into the inherent drama of familial relationships—a theme central to First Features Project film ‘Katangari Goes to Town.’ From sibling rivalries to the complications of polygamous households, the cast agreed that family dynamics often serve as a microcosm of society. “There will always be those with audacity and those without,” Ejeye quipped, highlighting the inevitable tensions in large families.
Arinze recounted how disputes over inheritance and family wealth can lead to heartbreaking divisions. “I’ve seen cases where siblings fight over property before their parents are even buried,” he lamented, drawing parallels to ‘Katangari Goes to Town’s’ narrative of discord after the death of the Gyang family patriarch.
Bethel Njoku, who starred as Pastor Dominion, further solidified family drama with the mention of black tax, the dreadful theory that sometimes drains a person.
Despite the challenges, the cast emphasised the unwavering support families can provide. Some of the actors shared personal stories of family members rallying behind them during pivotal moments in their careers.
Ejeye recalled her mother’s unwavering support of her acting dreams, regardless of initial scepticism. Her mother often transported her to auditions. “She would pray with me before auditions, and when I landed roles, we celebrated together,” she added.
Munachi Abii, who took on the role of Sofia Gyang, Chief Bello’s new wife, also spoke about her mother’s support, especially during her time in the Miss Nigeria pageant. Though strapped to a wheelchair, Abii’s mother travelled from Port Harcourt to Lagos to witness her crowning moment in the pageant. “Seeing her there, I broke down. That’s the kind of love family gives,” she reminisced.
When asked what keeps families together, “love” was the unanimous answer—though not without nuance. “Sometimes love is not enough,” Ejeye opined. “It’s a choice you make.” Abii supported.
“Family is the last place you fall back to when everything else goes wrong,” Njoku concludes. And in this heartfelt production, they embody that statement, offering a reminder of what truly matters—loyalty, love, and the shared journey of life.
The newest installment of the First Features Project, an initiative of Natives Filmworks and MichelAngelo Productions, ‘Katangari Goes To Town’ is currently showing on Prime Video.