The first time I heard about the ‘Eagle Wings’ movie, it was in a random discussion with a friend. She had come across the trailer and thought it was an ingenious idea. The Nigerian military was teaming up with Nollywood to create its first action film collaboration. We both agreed that the film would be brilliant if they managed to pull it off. However, we were sceptical that they wouldn’t, and it wouldn’t meet the expectations we had for it. We’ve never been more wrong.
The Nigerian military has been dealing with bad publicity because people see them as unapproachable. The Air Force decided they needed a way to make people understand some of their inner workings so that their soldiers can be looked at as more human than not.
Nigerian Air Force Investments Limited partnered up with Nigerian Film Corporation to tell their story. They reached out to Abuja-based director Paul Apel Papel, who had previously shot a documentary, “Capacity Building in the Nigerian Air Force”. He wrote the story and then took on the role of producer, director, and actor.
‘Eagle Wings’ follows the life of a pilot fighter on his journey as a husband, father, and committed soldier. Nuru, the soldier, gets into a plane crash in enemy territory during a mission and struggles to find his way to safety amidst insurgency.
Enyinna Nwigwe plays the role of Nuru and is joined by Femi Jacobs, Yakubu Mohammed, Uzee Usman, Funky Mallam, Patience Ujah, and the late Sadiq Daba. The movie is mostly in English and Hausa languages with the occasional use of Yoruba, Igbo, and Pidgin English.
The film is set mostly in Maiduguri and Abuja. Although mainly an action film, the story has sub-plots of love, fear, insurgency, and friendship. Each subplot adds life to the story and helps the viewers feel more connected to the characters.
The movie had some avoidable issues that make it a little less than excellent. There were obvious problems with the soundtrack. While the score is well-thought-out, it’s a little overdone and makes some parts of the film feel tacky. Some scenes also seemed a little rushed, but this is understandable as the film is almost 3 hours long.
The cast and crew executed the fight scenes masterfully, and the shoot-outs appear to be very real. Paul Apel Papel tells Netng that the Air Force trained the actors, and they had access to shoot at the base facilities.
He says, “The actors were actually trained by the Air Force. They had a committee set up with every department from foot soldiers, regiment, special forces, pilots, medical team, and other wings. We had first-hand information in any area we needed them. They trained us, and the result is mind-blowing.”
All in all, ‘Eagle Wings’ is a love letter from the Air Force to Nigerians, reminding them that they are mere humans who put their lives on the line daily for the country’s security. If this film fails to make them have more respect and love for Air Force officers, barely anything will.
‘Eagles Wings’ is showing in cinemas nationwide.
