NCAC chief urges filmmakers to be culture-sensitive amid uproar over “Gangs of Lagos” film

Chief Olusegun Runsewe, the Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), has called on Nigerian filmmakers to be more sensitive to cultural narratives in their productions to avoid public resentment and reactions.

His statement follows the uproar created by the new film “Gangs of Lagos,” which premiered on April 7 and has generated reactions from the Lagos State Government.

The government accused the movie of portraying the Eyo Masquerade as a gun-wielding villain while wearing full traditional regalia, a move it claims misrepresents cultural ethos and insults the tradition and history of Lagos indigenes.

Runsewe pleaded with the state government and the people of Lagos to forgive the cultural insensitivity contained in the movie, promising to address such issues in the future.

He also advised filmmakers to be cautious when producing films on Nigerian cultural history to avoid provoking tension and irritations across the country.