"Man and Masquerade" Tries to Unmask the Complexities of Masculinity [#TAFM24]

But its exploration of the subject struggles under the weight of its storytelling approach.

MAN AND MASQUERADE is a documentary film, about 18 minutes long, directed by Blue Adekunle. It was screened at The Annual Film Mischief 2024.

Man and Masquerade is an experimental art film that delves into the life of Nwankeagu (Agu), a young violist and painter haunted by the trauma of witnessing his father—a highly respected masquerade—commit suicide. Agu grapples with unresolved feelings towards this tragic event, believing that his father’s struggles were rooted in the delay in having him as a son. This adds a layer of guilt to Agu’s grief, deepening the complexity of his emotional state.

The narrative takes a pivotal turn when Agu (Desmond Bryce) encounters Gbenro (Timi OJ), a popular OAP secretly suffering abuse at the hands of his wife. Their unexpected meeting acts as a catalyst, pushing Agu to confront his past and embark on a journey toward healing.

While Man and Masquerade seeks to explore themes of masculinity and the emotional weight it carries, I found the film’s delivery to lean toward the pretentious. It often feigns depth for what is, at its core, a relatively simple story. Laden with poetic lines and ambitious visuals, the film frequently spoon-feeds its message to the audience, leaving little room for interpretation or subtlety. This can become exhausting, as the film's insistence on presenting itself as profound comes across as heavy-handed.

The filmmaker seems to believe that layering the narrative with melodrama and sensational visuals will convey a profound message about manhood and trauma. However, this approach backfires, creating a sense of artificiality that detracts from the story’s emotional resonance. Instead of inviting genuine reflection, the film feels like it's trying too hard to deliver its statement, which wore me out over time.

This is not to say that the film lacks merit. I do believe that Man and Masquerade carries an important message about the pressures of masculinity. However, the execution could have been more restrained. The dramatic flair overshadows the core themes, resulting in a disconnect from the characters and their struggles. It's disappointing because the subject matter is ripe for exploration, and with a more subtle approach, the film could have had a greater impact.

Ultimately, Man and Masquerade presents a commendable message but stumbles in its execution, leaning too heavily into melodrama and overstatement. It tries to convince you it's deeper than it actually is, and in doing so, misses an opportunity to resonate more authentically. With a more measured hand, it could have been a more impactful experience.