"Oga Mike" Reflects on the Heavy Struggles of the Common Man [#TAFM24]

Chukwu Martin's poignant short film captures the silent battles of a mascot performer, revealing the harsh realities of life and the quiet tragedies of survival.

OGA MIKE is a short film, about 18 minutes long, directed by Chukwu Martin. It was screened at The Annual Film Mischief 2024.

"Oga Mike" tells the story of a mascot performer who hustles tirelessly to provide for his family under the weight of Nigeria's harsh economic realities. The film opens with Oga Mike in full costume, entertaining at a children's party, and we quickly learn that this stoic man is carrying far more than just the weight of his mascot suit.

Through minimal dialogue, we see that Oga Mike, a man of few words, is experiencing profound hardship. His weary face speaks volumes. In the middle of another thankless day of work, his wife calls to inform him that their baby girl is sick. He immediately springs into action, doing whatever it takes to get what she needs. Though we don’t see every detail of his struggle, the weight of his shege (suffering) is felt deeply. From standing through endless chatter from a colleague to trekking home from the pharmacy due to unplanned expenses, Oga Mike’s journey reflects the struggles familiar to many Nigerians.

When he finally returns home, his wife casually mentions that a neighbor, Oga Chemist, had already stepped in to help. She doesn’t realize the impact of her words, but for Oga Mike, it’s a crushing blow. His silent heartbreak is written all over his face, even though he remains the loving, supportive husband.

Director Chukwu Martin does something special with this film. The absence of heavy dialogue is replaced with a visual language so profound that we can feel every ounce of Oga Mike's burden. The irony is ever-present—Oga Mike’s tool of trade is a smiling Winnie the Pooh costume, yet his own life is marked by unrelenting hardship. His stoic demeanor contrasts sharply with the cheerful exterior of the mascot he wears.

The symbolism of the singing choir that follows Oga Mike throughout the film, coupled with his incessant cough, foreshadows his inevitable fate. Though we sense his death coming, it still lands unexpectedly, and painfully. Was it the smoking that did him in? Or was it simply the unrelenting pressures of a life lived in poverty, without access to proper healthcare or basic necessities? The film leaves this open for interpretation, but the answer may not matter—because for Oga Mike, like so many others in similar circumstances, there was never really a way out.

One of the most haunting scenes in the film is when Oga Mike signals the invisible choir to stay silent. This moment is symbolic—he knows that his actions, and the life he is living, are leading him closer to death. But what choice does he have? The film makes a powerful statement: sometimes, knowing something is bad for you isn’t enough to stop doing it when there’s no viable alternative.

"Oga Mike" doesn’t just end with the titular character’s death—it ends with his quick fading from memory. Life goes on. The film starkly portrays the hard truths of life and death, of people forgotten too soon, a commentary on the fleeting nature of existence, especially for those living in poverty.

Chukwu Martin has crafted a deeply reflective and impactful film. It’s one of the festival’s standouts, leaving the audience with much to ponder about the fate of Oga Mike—and perhaps, about our own lives as well. The applause it received was heartfelt and well-deserved.