jikulumessu (Open Your Eyes) appears on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv 151), Monday-Thursday. It began around January 11, shortly after the hugely popular Hotel Majestic ended on January 8. It’s described on the channel as “a story of revenge where love and hatred, hope and despair, loyalty and treachery walk side by side…” This description could fit more than half of Nollywood films. But I was drawn to Jikulumessu, produced from Angola, really because I needed something to fill the void created after Hotel Majestic ended.
So after over 20-something episodes, how has Jikulumessu fared? First off, I have to say that Hotel Majestic is always going to be a tough act to follow. May also be the reason I immersed myself into Jikulumessu. I invested quite a lot of energy into watching the soap/telenovela from the beginning. But I wasn’t quite prepared for another Windeck. So I had to adjust to the fact that just like Windeck, also from Angola, Jikulumessu having originally been done in Portuguese had to use English voice overs. And as far as that goes, it takes some getting used to. You’re confronted by all kinds of voices, even some distinctly sounding Nigerian. Not to mention a few voices that don’t appear to match the characters’ age or appearance.
More importantly, it’s the Jikulumessu story that draws the most concern. Young Joel Kapala (Fernando Mailoge), the boy from a humble family in Lubango with big dreams. To pursue his dreams he must attend the best college Santa Agnes in the capital Luanda. And from day one, he’s a target. They will stop at nothing to get him out of college before he even settles down. From corrupt teachers to a few bad/lazy students who see him as a threat to their progress. This reconstruction makes it sound somewhat romantic but that’s not really the case. For weeks, the story of one childish prank after another drags on, inexplicably. We never really understand why a naive boy from the hinterland that’s Lubango is seen as such a threat in a school he’s new in. Meanwhile, there’s a more interesting story to be told: Ivo (Eric Santos), Joel’s father leads a double life with a second family few know about.
Luckily, Joel travels to the US for further studies shortly after his mother Laura’s death. By the way Laura (Ana Karina Manuel) looks like a model from the 50s even though Jikulumessu’s story begins in 1998. A different millennium, yes but it doesn’t explain how some aspects of the story are decidedly ‘prehistoric’.
There are a few other questions regarding Joel’s move to the US but we can let that slide. If Joel’s (who just a few months ago was a village boy) transition to living New York like a pro, was strange enough, what about Djamila (the almost destitute girl Joel claims to be in love with) also turning up in the US? What are the odds? Or did the Angola of 1998 have a pact with the US that ensured any Angolan could turn up in the US? It’s possible all will be explained and answered in due time. Perhaps, 20-something episodes are too few and too soon for all the pieces to fall into place.
ºNonetheless, on the bright side, what the award-winning Jikulumessu lacks story wise, it more than makes up with very attractive visuals. Its technical quality is top notch. And the camera is also used very creatively.
Also, it would appear as if someone made a deliberate attempt to promote Angola as a tourist attraction. Sprawling and beautiful scenery puts the country in the best light. There are generous external shots and we see the actors out and about ‘in the real world’ unlike many a Nigerian soap. Although it isn’t always easy to see the relationship or link to the story being told. For instance when Djamila (Sandra Gomes) arrives Luanda, she’s dropped at what seems like the middle of nowhere, not a bus stop or house in sight. But we do see the beautiful surroundings.
That said, I’ve still got my eyes (or an eye) on Jikulumessu.
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