Reaktor Unveils Unapologetic Portrayal of Lagos Street Life in New Film and Documentary
Reaktor Energy Drink and EbonyLife Creative Academy premiered "On the Move," a short film and documentary celebrating the resilience and everyday struggles of Lagos hawkers and informal workers, at EbonyLife Cinema in Lagos. The event, which took place recently, saw guests, filmmakers, and representatives from Planet Bottling Company and EbonyLife Creative Academy in attendance.
Blending Fiction with Reality
Unlike a typical brand campaign, the project blends fiction with real-life experiences, focusing on street hawkers, distributors, and other informal workers whose daily struggles often go unnoticed. The short film tells the story of Sadiq, a hawker who finds his hidden talent and is trained by a running coach to pursue his dreams. The documentary, "On the Move: Chasing Tomorrow," features real-life stories of hawkers and informal workers, including Qudus Adeyemi, Modupe Adeleke, and Abdulakeem Oladele, who shared their experiences of struggling to survive in Lagos.
The Power of Resilience
Speaking at the premiere, Planet Bottling Company's Marketing Manager, Naji Awada, said the company decided to produce another film after the success of its first project. "We decided to produce another film after the overwhelmingly positive response to our first project. This new production shines a light on the everyday heroes whose stories resonate with all of us. It reinforces an important message: achieving your goals requires resilience, determination, and a willingness to keep pushing, no matter the challenges along the way." Awada added that the film is intended to inspire viewers to remain committed to their dreams despite the obstacles they face.
A Platform for Storytelling
EbonyLife Creative Academy's Head of Administration, Michael Oyebade, described the partnership as an opportunity to spotlight ordinary Nigerians while giving the academy's graduates a platform to showcase their skills. He also revealed that the collaboration will expand into a multi-episode series next year, focusing on more real-life stories from Nigerians navigating the country's challenging economy. "The goal is valid. No matter where you are today, keep trusting the process, stay consistent, and keep moving. That's the message behind On the Move. The documentary reminds us that these aren't fictional stories, they're the everyday realities of hawkers and hardworking Nigerians striving for a better life."
Celebrating the Spirit of Perseverance
Lead actor Ezekiel Abayomi, who played Sadiq, said the role made him appreciate the realities many Nigerians face every day. "Playing Sadiq reminded me that many of the people we ignore every day are fighting battles we know nothing about. The biggest lesson I took away is that kindness costs nothing, pay people what they deserve, treat them with respect, and never stop pushing because things can always get better." The film's director, Gbenga Adeoti, described working on the project as exhilarating, and said the aim was to remind people that life should be about more than just surviving.
A New Perspective on Hustle
By blending fiction with real-life experiences, Reaktor and EbonyLife Creative Academy have created a project that celebrates the spirit of perseverance while reminding viewers that every hustle has a story. The documentary shines a light on the resilience, sacrifices, and determination of everyday Nigerians whose stories often go untold. As the project expands into a multi-episode series next year, it is clear that the impact of "On the Move" will be felt for a long time to come.
Source: Pulse.ng
