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The Checkpoint

The checkpoint is about three policemen at an Illegal checkpoint. It happens in one night and we get a sense of how their lives affect their jobs and the people they come across in the line of duty.

This film was inspired by a YouTube video, which showed the squalor, which members of the police force lived in. It made me realise that a police officer living way below a dollar a day will draw the lines against the middle and upper class and have no regard their lives or stolen SUVs, rather it will be a case of us vs. them.

It is a known fact that a number of dastardly acts including cold-blooded murder have occurred at the hands of members of the Nigerian Police Force and citizens feel more fear than protection when they come across a police checkpoint.

This film was therefore made to start a conversation that will hopefully contribute in turning things around and encourage citizen’s participation in governance. The logic is that if you contribute in words, with your finances or with action towards making the police force a better organization, you can demand accountability and be more invested in the way things are run.

  • Lydia Idakula Sobogun
    Director
  • Lydia Idakula Sobogun
    Writer
  • Mr. Xavier IGHORODJE
    Writer
    The Will of The Iron, One Chance, Dowry S02, THEM and US, Dear Avalon
  • Lydia Idakula Sobogun
    Producer
    Put a Ring On It
  • Tojo Ejoh
    Key Cast
  • Time Charles Fadipe
    Key Cast
  • Omoye Uzamere
    Key Cast
    Green White Green, Put a Ring on It, Gbomo Gbomo Express
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    19 minutes 38 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 10, 2017
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Nigeria
  • Country of Filming:
    Nigeria
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Lydia Idakula Sobogun

Lydia Idakula Sobogun is a trained lawyer, arts enthusiast, and a TV/Film & Stage Producer. She’s CEO of Gbagyichild Entertainment, home to the TARUWA brand, which comprises the monthly open mic performance evening, a magazine, an annual performing arts festival and an online platform.

Gbagyi by birth [from Karu, Nasarawa State], but Yoruba by marriage, Lydia was born in Jos and lived there for most of her early life with her very musical family, attending Corona primary School, Baptist High School and the University of Jos, before moving to Lagos to attend the Law school.

In 2007, by her deep love for the arts and a passion for building relationships, she was inspired to start ‘Taruwa’ which is Hausa for the word ‘Gathering’. The first meeting had 7 people in attendance, but with great content, word spread and TARUWA rapidly became a household name in Lagos for spoken word artistes, musicians, poets, lyricists and the overall Art Lover looking to unwind amidst creativity. TARUWA has also been called home to the stars - MI, Omawumi, Snatcha of Rooftop MCs, Tosyn Bucknor, Cobhams and Home-groomed Alternative artiste Bez Idakula; amongst others. The magazine program which started out as a fortnight event evolved into a quarterly published magazine, a festival and very recently, an arts, pop-culture and lifestyle website.

Over the years, passion for the arts has seen Lydia become a strong advocate for the growth of the Nigerian contemporary arts; She has organised and worked on a number of exhibitions, projects, workshops, showcases and festivals through her company and for other organisations including the British Council, SPAN (Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria), Bogobiri House [where Taruwa holds], Life House and Individuals.

Lydia is the second of four children [one of whom is alternative soul musician, BEZ IDAKULA]. Lydia is very family-oriented and has a deep longing to put her tribe and people on the map, hence her company name, Gbagyichild Entertainment, which literally means, “I am a Gbagyi Child”

In 2013 was a successful and eventful year for Gbagyichild Entertainment as Taruwa Festival was launched, with the theatre production of Bobo Omotayo’s book, London Life Lagos Living, re-staged in December, and the British Council and The Future Awards Africa also announced her as a finalist for the Young Media Entrepreneur Of The Year Award.

In 2014, Lydia gave in to a long time desire – Production, with the role of Writer and Associate Producer on Discovery World’s first African production. She went on to produce chat shows for clients and one of her own in the Pidgin English language.

In 2015, renowned Nigerian director, Charles Novia called upon Lydia to co-produce his feature film ‘Put a Ring on it’. In 2016, she wrote, produced and directed her first film, a short film, The Checkpoint. The end of 2016 saw her once again producing the much talked about Nigerian Web Series ‘Our Best Friend’s Wedding’, for a client.

The Checkpoint is her first film.

With so much done but much more to do, Lydia strives on, working on art-related content and putting her tribe and Nigerian arts and culture on the global map.

She is currently working on her first feature film. You can reach her at gbagyichild@yahoo.com & gbagyichild@gmail.com

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Director Statement

I am passionate about life, I am passionate about building relationships and I am passionate about telling stories that will stir up conversations while crossing my fingers that those conversations might be catalysts which will change the world.