INSIDE:
THEWILL DOWNTOWN
Exclusive intervie ww the Most Beautifu ith l Girl in Nigeria 2021, Oluchi Madubuik e
VOL 1 NO.36 • OCTOBER 17 – OCTOBER 23, 2021
EQUAL PAY The deafening silence lingers
VOL 1 NO.36 • OCTOBER 17 – OCTOBER 23, 2021
THEWILL DOWNTOWN
<RXU EDQNLQJ LQIRUPDWLRQ VXFK DV WKH GLJLW FDUG QXPEHU SDVVZRUG 3,1 %91 &99 RU 2QH 7LPH 3DVVZRUG 273 LV WRR SHUVRQDO WR EH VKDUHG ZLWK DQ\RQH ,I \RXU SKRQH LV ORVW RU VWROHQ GLDO IURP DQ\ SKRQH WR GHDFWLYDWH \RXU 866' SURæOH DQG SUHYHQW IUDXG RQ \RXU DFFRXQW &DOO XV LPPHGLDWHO\ RQ RU VHQG DQ HPDLO WR FRQWDFWFHQWHU#DFFHVVEDQNSOF FRP WR UHSRUW DQ\ VXVSLFLRXV SKRQH FDOO 606 RU HPDLO %DQNV'RQW$VN
PAGE 2
THEWILL DOWNTOWN
VOL 1 NO.36 • OCTOBER 17 – OCTOBER 23, 2021
8
Photo: Kola Oshalusi @insignamedia Makeup: Desire Onyema @desire_makeover
EDITOR’S NOTE
I
recently had a conversation with someone about equality in the workforce and in his opinion, women won’t put in the hours that men would; so why should they be paid the same when more often than not, working-age women would need to split their time between work and home to attend to family matters i.e, husband and children! I went on to proffer the name of a woman who works her behind off and was stunned by his response - “She is more like a man!” This made me wonder: ‘Are women supposed to be ‘like men’ to be able to earn the equal respect and money of their male contemporaries?’ But then, I was reminded of a remark passed by Temi Marcella at Bold Conversations by Veuve Cliquot, which I attended about two weeks ago. ‘We don’t have to change our nature to be more masculine in order to garner the same respect as a man would’. One of the subjects we spoke to for our cover story, Lanre Olusola couldn’t have said it better: “it’s not about the amount of time spent on tasks, it’s the efficiency in meeting deliverables. The argument of time to belittle a woman’s input is nonsensical. Efficiency is all that matters.” I couldn’t agree more. This is a really sensitive subject, but definitely a conversation worth having, especially seeing as many people, men and women, still honestly believe that men should earn more for whatever reason. I even heard of a woman (identity withheld), paying a male worker more than his female boss. Talk about women supporting women! I won’t say much more on this topic, for now, but I do think you will find the opinions of the different subjects in the cover story quite enlightening. As usual, we have your weekly dose of fashion, beauty, entertainment, and …sex. Until next week, enjoy your read.
CONTENTS
COVER EQUAL PAY: THE DEAFENING SILENCE LINGERS
04
16
ODDBOD & THE CITY OLD AGE IS A BASTARD
REVIEW CANDYMAN
05
14-15
FASHION FASHION MUSTHAVES THIS RAINY SEASON
06
FEATURE SAY HELLO TO OLUCHI MADUBUIKE, MBGN 2021
07
LIVING WHAT INDOOR PLANTS SEEK IN A HOST
DOWNTOWN CONFIDENTIAL MOANING: THE BEDROOM SPICE
11
THE SCENE DOWNTOWN FASHION, MUSIC AT ITS BEST AT HEINEKEN DFA SHOWCASE 2021
CONTRIBUTORS Odun Ogunbiyi @oddbodandthecity
- Contributing Editor Odunayo Ogunbiyi is an ex pharmacist with a passion for food and pampering. Writing about her exploits wherever in the world she may find herself is just her way of staying sane in this zany world.
Boluwatife Adesina @bolugram - Contributing Writer Boluwatife Adesina is a media writer and the helmer of the Downtown Review page. He’s probably in a cinema near you.
Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa
AUSTYN OGANNAH
PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Editor: Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa Editor-at-Large: Chalya Shagaya Senior Lifestyle Editor: Ayodele Johnson Writers: Kehinde Fagbule, Tilewa Kazeem Graphics/Layout: Olatunji Samson, Olaniyan John Digital Media: Oladimeji Balogun Guest Art Director: Sunny Hughes ‘ SunZA’ www.thewilldowntown.com thewilldowntown thewilldowntown
Uzo Orimalade @uzosfoodlabs
- Contributing Writer Uzo Orimalade has a background in Law and Business and spent over a decade working in Corporate America and Nigeria in the management consulting and investment banking sectors. She switched careers to pursue her passion for baking, cooking and home entertaining. She is content creator and host of shows in various media platforms. She has been recognised by local and international media outlets including a feature on CNN’s African Voices.
Efua Oyofo @efuastar
- Contributing Writer Efua has always enjoyed telling stories. A writer and cultural storyteller, Efua Oyofo helps clients tell their most compelling story. She focuses on social impact storytelling, and hosts a podcast: This African Love, exploring the culture of dating - and helping people develop more effective ways to navigate relationships in today’s world.
12-13
BEAUTY 6 EFFECTIVE WAYS TO PREPARE YOUR SKIN FOR A MAKE-OVER
Ifeoma Odogwu @hyperfashun - Contributing Writer Ifeoma Odogwu is an international Fashion consultant and Stylist. She shuttles her time between Lagos and London.
WHAT YOU SAID INSTAGRAM @beverly_osu
@dread_by_black interesting caption
@6.23.11 These are actually really cool pictures. It’s giving GQ
PAGE 3
VOL 1 NO.36 • OCTOBER 17 – OCTOBER 23, 2021
ODUN OGUNBIYI
THEWILL DOWNTOWN
ODDBOD & THE CITY
Old Age is a
Bastard
usual, I was waxing lyrical about my back trying to kill me, and she suggests I come over and try some alternative healing, mainly in the form of gua sha and some acupuncture. Such treatments have always been in the category of urban myth. As an ex-pharmacist, you can imagine that the chemical solution always seemed to be tried and trusted. Still, she could not have found my mind in a more open and fertile mood. I was in her workspace within three hours, hoping for a miracle.
Gua Sha
I
n my mind, I am still a young ingenue tripping through life pleasantly surprised and suitably blessed (albeit with a bit more responsibility, those pesky kids, am I right?). This body, though? It has let me down remarkably and is currently cruising with the fluidity and skillset of an octogenarian. I don’t know who I have offended, but with my dodgy knee still giving me grief, my back has decided to join the party.
They don’t call me a drama queen for nothing because, as far as I am concerned, I have now joined the ranks of those with chronic pain. I can only apologise to my people who have had to be regularly hearing about it. Truth be told, I can’t believe this is my life. Disturbed sleep, restricting movements, and popping painkillers. It came to me in the shower one day (I have mentioned previously that I get my best ideas in the shower): there must be other solutions to my situation that don’t involve putting a brave face on things and popping pills. No sooner had I finished these thoughts than I was in conversation with an old friend Jacina Coyne. As
PAGE 4
Gua sha is a traditional Chinese healing method indicated for complaints such as muscle and joint pain. It is also said to benefit the immune system, reduce inflammation, treat colds, fevers, or problems with the lungs. First of all, I was slathered in almond oil, and then she scraped along my skin with a coin in long downward strokes while applying pressure which raised small, red, rash-like dots on my skin called petechiae. It was amazing that she always unnervingly pointed out where my pain was originating from both my shoulder and mid-back. The aim is to move energy or chi around the body. Chi is energy that flows through the body. The belief is that a person’s chi must be balanced and flowing freely to ensure their health and wellbeing. When your chi becomes blocked, you experience pain or tension in the muscles and joints. Gua sha aims to move this blocked energy to relieve aches or stiffness. You could not have been more surprised than me at the almost immediate effects this treatment had on my shoulder pain and stiffness. It felt warm, loose, and frankly, incredible. After some further questions on my ailments and checking out my tongue (she freaked me out by describing my diet by its state, but that is a discussion for another day), she decided that a general acupuncture MOT would help. Acupuncture is where fine needles are inserted at strategic locations on the body. It works by stimulating sensory nerves under the skin and in the muscles. This result is the body producing beneficial endorphins. These two treatments are often used together to synergistically boost the effects. First, I want to thank Jacina for a bliss peaceful night’s sleep and my increased mobility. She has made me a believer, and I shall be back for more.
VOL 1 NO.36 • OCTOBER 17 – OCTOBER 23, 2021
THEWILL DOWNTOWN OWNTOWN
FASHION
Fashion Must-Haves
THIS RAINY SEASON
I
Skirts, Dresses or Pants If it’s not waterproof, it has to be made of a fabric so light it can easily dry off on you. Chiffon dresses, skirts and pants or leggings are the best options to wear during the rainy season. Although they come with their demerits, they are way better and more comfortable options than denim because of their quick-dry nature.
BY KEHINDÉ FAGBULE
FOR HER
FOR HIM
t’s that time of the year again when the cloud cries. Whether you’re a global warming enthusiast or skeptic, it doesn’t exactly change the fact that sometimes the rain just won’t stop. No matter how heavy the downpour is, the show must go on. So how are you best prepared for the rainy season? Get out your fashion checklist; here are six things you should have in your possession for when the storm comes.
Time to Get Some Boots or Sneakers
Be Colourful With it
This is perhaps the only time it makes sense to cruise the streets of Lagos with boots. Regardless of what outfit you’re wearing, boots are not only stylish, they are also very effective this season. Alternatively, wearing boots to a casual gathering may come off as overdressed, so you want to consider wearing comfortable sneakers.
You never want to wear white clothing during the rainy season, for obvious reasons. White fabrics have the tendency to attract dirt when damp like no other colour. The rainy season is your opportunity to be as colourful as you could ever be.
FOR HIM
FOR HIM
FOR HER
Sneakers GUCCI
FOR HER
Floral Dress ss PREEN BY THORNTON BREGAZ GAZZI BREGAZZI Pants
Sneakers GIVENCHY
Blue Midi Skirt CHOPOVA LOWENA Hadley Boots GRENSON
Nanet Boots GRENSON
Sw Sweater LOEWE
Jelly Bags, a Mobile Vault Show off in Rain Jackets While an umbrella does a great job of covering you from the rain, a rain jacket protects you against mud and splattered ZDWHU b,GHDOO\ \RX ZDQW D OLJKWZHLJKW EXW VWXUG\ ZDWHUSURRIHG rain jacket. They are usually in different designs and colours, and some even come with hoodies.
FOR HIM
FOR HER
Multi-Coloured T-shirt
Umbrellas Girls guide and Boys scout live by one slogan ‘be prepared’. The same goes for the rainy season. An umbrella can be quite fashionable, go for colourful ones to keep the cloudy oudy day blues away.
FOR HIM
It is a big struggle trying to shield your outfit from the rain. It is a bigger struggle trying to shield your prized possessions from heavy rain. Your handbags house your valuables including your wallet, passport, phone, accessories and so on; you don’t want the rain anywhere near those so opt for a jelly bag. It will ensure that the rain bounces off, thereby protecting its content within.
FOR HER
FOR HER R HARRODS Jelly Bag HAR
Rain jackets
Umbrella la la
8P PEUHOODbb<<6/ 8PEUHOODbb<6/
PPAGE PA AAGE GE 5
VOL 1 NO.36 • OCTOBER 17 – OCTOBER 23, 2021
THEWILL DOWNTOWN
BY AYODELE JOHNSON
LIVING Ditching The Old Shell Saskay
What Indoor
Plants Seek in a Host
A
s the thirst for gardening takes hold on a world stage, indoor plants over a few years have evolved from stagnated roles that restrict them to side corners, off a spacious duplex. Formerly the stationary figure that adds a scene to doorways and entrances, now they are on a steady table positioned at hybrid workplaces that are still growing on workers. Plants have become regular features on living room shelves and they can be carved to specification to accommodate minimalist interest if there is a need. Since plants are so fragile, only intentional maintenance can prevent their untimely demise in the home or an office setting.
The journey starts as soon as you visit a local garden centre to take your pick. At the centre, make sure to inspect the plant on a counter before taking it home. This will help to avoid transporting diseases that have already taken root in fragile leaves as missing such frailties could limit the shelf life of a houseplant. Once the spot checks have been performed, it is now time for repotting. This involves hauling the new plant into a pot different from that which it was bought in, to begin a fresh life under an optimistic host. Experts advise on making provisions that deliver enough room for unhindered growth. They say a houseplant should be matched into a pot that is at least an inch broader than its size. Have this in mind when you repot your next plant.
Watering Houseplant
Intentional, Sequenced Watering While plants need water to grow, providing this utility must happen in moderation. Too little, too much will likely cause problems. Wrinkled leaves in a plant often point to costly negligence on the part of the host failing to satisfy the plant’s thirst. Sometimes, overwatering might bring about extreme yellowing of leaves. If unchecked, these could lead to overall deterioration. To prevent wastage, a host is encouraged to observe the soil for dryness before watering but it shouldn’t stop there. As much as possible, your indoor plant should maintain a moderate sense of the wild in their lifestyle. This is when a spritz comes in while feeding with water. Like the sprinkling of the rain in a mangrove forest.
Repotting Houseplant
The Soil Ingredient Enabling Access to Light
Living room Plants
PAGE 6
It goes on with the welcoming presence of sunlight in the space you’re cosharing with your pet plant. When a houseplant has been starved of light, it invites a possibility for dysfunction. One of these could be the unsavoury dropping of leaves until a plant reveals scanty branches which add no grace at a residence. To avoid outcomes such as this, sweep through your house to find a position that the guest plant can thank you for although some succulents like cactus are remarkably resilient under minimal exposure.
There are no surprises there – that houseplants get their nutrition from the soil. Therefore, you must pay due attention to this structural side of things. Hallway This calls for supplying Houseplant the soil with fertilizer which could be synthetic or organic. Either way, the host, through these acts is setting the motion for nutrients to be extracted by an ever needy plant. When replenishing dry soil with water, do not rush to flood it. Instead, look to release water into a vase in the frequency that lets the moisture settle in gently. Purposeful holes cut around the pot could show when you need to stop watering for the moment.
VOL 1 NO.36 • OCTOBER 17 – OCTOBER 23, 2021
THEWILL DOWNTOWN
DOWNTOWN CONFIDENTIAL
Moaning:
The bedroom spice BY TILEWA KAZEEM
xxxxxxxxx
H
igh pitched ‘Oh, yeahs’ and erotically stretched-out vowels tend to outlive the feeling or sensation of lovemaking in our minds. When I’ve had peers recount their sexcapades, on multiple occasions, they glorified the auditory feedback they’ve gotten like a child who finally got a series of A’s on his report card rather than how they performed during the act. In a sense, that might be an accurate description of what moans are. Those sensual decibels escaping your mouth while he spells coconut on your vag with his saliva riddled tongue, are like grades on how well he or she is performing. In an intimate relationship- or any relationship at all, communication is vital and seeing as Seggsy time isn’t a time to hash over disputes, those amorphous noises are more than welcome As rewarding as those crescendoing and decrescendoing sex sounds might be, they aren’t restricted to women alone. Men are more than welcome to moan during sex. And although it’s not as pleasant as a woman’s, they love it. No man likes a woman who lays there wearing a poker face and the same goes for women. Don’t be a quiet thruster. If she wants unemotional, quiet sex, she has a double-apowered vibrator with orgasm written all over it waiting on her nightstand. Believe it or not, women like hearing men moan. Women find vulnerability attractive and those suffocated grunts right before you are about to bust your load are just as rewarding. The feeling is very intoxicating which is why women often fake it. Like a canary, women can control the pitch of their moans; this implies women in a way govern when you let’ er rip. By faking it or not, they can mentally dictate when a man climaxes. And if they do happen to fake you’d be none the wiser. The thinning of her voice and acceleration of those decibels eggs you closer to the precipice of an orgasm. In porn, for example, the actress often tends to exaggerate or amplify her moans so the audience can buy into the fantasy. Just like the stunts in wrestling, a high percentage of moans in porn videos are fake but hey, don’t let me stop you from enjoying both. In my experience, the best way to tell if she’s getting a kick out of what you’re doing with your peen is by her body language and that also doesn’t guarantee anything. If he or she loves you they wouldn’t fake it; after all, why waste energy faking it when you will spend less enjoying it. Although we laud the sound of sex, some people don’t moan during sex which is absolutely no biggy for whoever you’re with but it is to me. I met someone under this
Illustration by Victor Asowata
umbrella back in the day and it was really awkward. She didn’t moan or articulate an auditory reaction to anything I did, it felt like my ego had just been run over by an 18 wheeler. I kept thinking maybe I was doing something wrong and she said ‘Nothing.’ At that point, I would have taken an over-the-top porny sound and counted my losses but she just laid there, silent. I had to leave the lights on to convince myself she was still breathing. I finished, took a shower, put a pillow between us, and slept. I should have left but it was my house. Morning came and the idea of a follow-up round didn’t even suffice, I told her I had a family emergency so she had to leave. I’m pretty sure she had not gone far before I erased her number from my phone. She wasn’t a prostitute or anything of the sort, I had dragged myself through the talking phase for lifeless sex. Never
again would that happen to me. ‘Please, do you moan?’ became a question I casually slid into conversations. That way, I knew what I was getting into before it’s 3am and I’m sneaking into the bathroom to finish myself off. At the end of the day, you don’t have to be a screamer in the bedroom for your partner to know you enjoy his deep strokes. The change in your breathing or you pulling on the sheets when your partner has your penis in an oral chokehold is enough indication you enjoy what she’s doing. That way, she feels comfortable enough to park her posterior between your thighs or on your face. Whatever floats your boat as long as it’s consensual, ride on.
PAGE 7
VOL 1 NO.36 • OCTOBER 17 – OCTOBER 23, 2021
THEWILL DOWNTOWN
COVER
EQUAL PAY
The deafening silence lingers BY KEHINDÉ FAGBULE
H
umans have had several problems since the first person was created. As time passed, we have fixed one issue or the other; this defines the human experience. One subject matter however looks unsolvable: equality. For religious people, the disparity can be traced back to the beginning of creation. One doesn’t have to look too critically to see that we have never been equal, hence we would have solved the majority of our problems. Topics such as racism and gender-based violence, for instance, wouldn’t afflict us today if we see the next person as equal to us, with the right to enjoy the same basic opportunities as we do. As we strive to achieve a middle ground in all of our negotiations for parity, one dilemma remains unresolved, and it happens at the workplace where we essentially make our livelihood. Workers around the world look forward to payday. A paycheck may bring a sense of relief, satisfaction,
PAGE 8
or joy, but it can also represent an injustice — an expression of persistent inequalities between men and women in the workplace. Globally, the gender pay gap stands at 16 per cent, meaning women workers earn an average of 84 per cent of what men earn. In racially diverse countries, black women, immigrant women, and women with children are further down the remuneration pecking order.
Global Impact
Speaking about the gender pay disparity, Chidi King, Director of the Equality Department of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), dives deep into the ideologies which helped form the quagmire. “The global gender pay gap is an expression of persistent inequalities between men and women in our societies and our places of work. The social and cultural norms that broadly
cast men’s roles as decision-makers and women’s roles as carers, play a significant part—not only in terms of the type of paid work into which women are channelled—but in terms of how that work is valued and remunerated. When women enter the formal labour market, their paid work and their role as workers are often seen as subsidiary or supplementary to their principal role of “homemakers”. This in turn impacts how women are paid. Even where women have equivalent or better qualifications than men, their skills are not valued the same as men’s and their career progression is slower,” she explained. “The world of work as we know it is still generally structured around the male “breadwinner” model, with long and rigid working hour arrangements. As women become mothers, they bear the “motherhood penalty”—to balance family responsibilities and paid work, women accept part-time, casual or underpaid jobs, or work in the informal economy. In pregnancy, they may also face discrimination, which can lead to them being dismissed, harassed out of the workforce, or demoted on their return. Taking time out to care for children also slows women’s career progression,” she concluded.
VOL 1 NO.36 • OCTOBER 17 – OCTOBER 23, 2021
THEWILL DOWNTOWN
COVER
Chidi King, Director of Equality Intenational Trade Union Confederation kevin cooper photo
When women enter the formal labour market, their paid work and their role as workers are often seen as subsidiary or supplementary to their principal role of “homemakers”. This in turn impacts how women are paid. Even where women have equivalent or better qualifications than men, their skills are not valued the same as men’s and their career progression is slower…” …Chidi King
The Corporate World
In the corporate world, a wage structure is maintained. This is the hierarchy within a company that sets the amount each level of employment is paid and what benefits each level is due. Over the years, there has been a gender wage disparity in the workforce. In some instances, the basic salaries of a man and woman are the same, but the other components such as allowances and prerequisites vary to favour the man. This is still ongoing to date. To get a sense of the impact of that in today’s corporate world, we spoke to Lanre Olusola, Africa’s foremost Life Coach and Cognitive Behavioral Psychologist who is the Chief Catalyst at the Olusola Lanre Coaching Academy (OLCA) and also an Executive Director of Ebony Life TV. When asked about his views on the social injustice, he responded; “I think we need to, first of all, understand the world of work and in doing that, we realise that there’s an objective, vision and goal which are time-bound. Now, to be able to achieve those goals within the stipulated timeline, you need a combination of competence and skill and this is what employers should pay for; it should have nothing to do with gender. If we begin to look at competencies, you will realise that men and women went to school through the same admission process, there were no special cut-off marks for women. They studied the same course for the same duration in class, got tested on the same exams, graduated with the same grades, and went through the same rigorous interview process to get the job. Now when they were employed, there was a job description that was set for the role they applied to and they both qualified for. So why should a man think that he should be earning more than a woman?” A popular argument has been made over time to support the pay inequality, referencing man-hours and the proposition that men can work more hours than women, buttressing it with women’s unavailability when they have to yield nature’s call in the form of pregnancy and what comes after it. Olusola thinks otherwise. When asked how big of an impact this ideology is on the pay disparity, he responded, “Women can multitask more than men, so it’s not about the amount of time spent on tasks, it’s the efficiency in meeting deliverables. Also, the world of work has changed. Nowadays, people work virtually, so how do you measure the actual time they put in? Performance appraisal
should always be deliverable-based, as opposed to man-hours, this is measurable and time-bound. One person could deliver a task in five hours whereas it took their colleague ten hours on the same task. So who has done more work? The argument of time to belittle a woman’s input is nonsensical. Efficiency is all that matters.” We then shifted the conversation on men’s involvement to discuss what roles they play in ensuring that the gap closes up. “My educated guess is that there are more women in Human Resources than men. In my opinion, because of that, they have the power to change the policy. I think they need to establish equality through a performance management system. Set up this equitable system and get management to sign off on it. Every management wants productivity that reflects in the revenue, it doesn’t have to be about gender,” he said. When asked how it was possible to convince a male Managing Director, who doesn’t subscribe to equal pay, to sign off on the performance management system, he responded, “Don’t present it as a gender policy because quite frankly, that shouldn’t even be brought up in the conversation. It should be presented as an organisational policy. Don’t play the gender card. Propose a performance management system that’s based on quality delivery within a timeframe. It affects and benefits both men and women, that’s how you create equality. Court sentences for felonies, drivers licence applications
Men and women went to school through the same admission process, there were no special cut-off marks for women. They studied the same course for the same duration in class, got tested on the same exams, graduated with the same grades, and went through the same rigorous interview process to get the job. Now when they were employed, there was a job description that was set for the role they applied to and they both qualified for. So why should a man think that he should be earning more than a woman?”… Lanre Olusola
Asisat Oshoala
and restaurant prices are not given to people based on their gender, so why must work remunerations be? We must create neutral workplace policies.” Oftentimes, men who champion women’s causes are seen as effeminate. This goes beyond equal pay and to the broader scope of feminism; men who are female allies are considered weak. We discussed this stigma to get Olusola’s view of it. “When you think about it, I’m making a case for men just as much as I’m making for women; I’m not biased, I’m making a reasonably intelligent performance case that will benefit men and women. The only people it won’t benefit are those who can’t perform because the system will root them out and put them on probation. However, if a man considers putting an equitable system in place as weak, it is he who needs to change his perception because it will benefit him if he was a performer. People like that are myopic and need to change their perception of life.”
The Entertainment Industry
Another industry that has seen claims of a wage disparity stem from gender bias is the entertainment scene. Globally, female actors complain about earning significantly less than their male counterparts. To get a perspective of this, we spoke to experienced Nollywood actress, Yvonne Jegede. We asked if she had ever been in the same position as a man and earned less. She replied, “Right now, I’d say no. In the past, yes but it has to do with your status. As I progress in my career, I’m earning my respect. My business (the entertainment industry) is different when compared
PAGE 9
VOL 1 NO.36 • OCTOBER 17 – OCTOBER 23, 2021
THEW TH THEWILL EWIL ILLL DO DOWN DOWNTOWN W TO T WN
COVER In our International Women’s Day edition, we spoke to one of Africa’s top footballers, Asisat Oshoala, about inequality in football. When asked how she has been able to navigate obstacles of race and gender as a female athlete? She replied, “Equality in professional football is a difficult conversation to have because it really is a situation where the guys get more TV rights and publicity, resulting in more endorsements and everything else. For now, I am happy to be here in the club I love (Barcelona), repping Nigeria and hopefully inspiring young female hopefuls back home.”
Our Constitution
According to the constitution, the state must ensure there is equal pay for equal work without discrimination on account of sex, or on any other grounds. However, no implementing legislation has been enacted so far. A Labour Standards Bill, submitted in the National Assembly in 2008, had provision on equal pay for equal work, however, it has not been passed. This conversation has been reduced to murmurs and going by antecedents, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to assume that it has been thrown out. In a country like ours where every social justice issue takes a backseat to every other talking point, perhaps this could be a golden opportunity to make a global statement as not too many nations have passed the equal pay for equal work bill in the world.
The History
In the past, yes but it has to do with your status. As I progress in my career, I’m earning my respect. My business (the entertainment industry) is different when compared to the typical nine-to-five; it has to do with your brand. So if someone is earning more than me, it’s only because the person has more power and clout to push themselves farther than I would be able to. The wage structure is heavily dependent on your fanbase” …Yvonne Jegede
to the typical nine-to-five; it has to do with your brand. So if someone is earning more than me, it’s only because the person has more power and clout to push themselves farther than I would be able to. The wage structure is heavily dependent on your fanbase and the level of respect you can command amongst your colleagues.
In Sports
In football, women have been protesting pay inequality in recent times, most especially the United States Women’s National Team. Having won a staggering number of international tournaments, much more than the men’s team, they get paid a fraction of what their male counterparts earn.
PAGE 10
Before the Industrial Revolution in Europe and the United States which was the transition from hand production to new manufacturing processes involving chemical and iron productions, the development of machine tools and the rise of the mechanized factory system, gender roles have been defined. This was at a time pre-technology, so most of the labour required physical power which gives men a biological edge over women. Society quickly shaped up around the arrangement that is the patriarchy. Men were going out to work construction jobs, women stayed back at home with the children for domestic roles. The Industrial Revolution led to an unprecedented rise in the rate of population growth and this only meant that there are more children to take care of, further relegating the number of women in the workforce, conversely increasing the men’s wages because they then had more mouths to cater to. Eventually, as wage labour became increasingly formalized, women joined men in the factories. They were often paid less than their male counterparts for the same labour, whether for the explicit reason that they were women or under another pretext. The concept of equal pay for equal work was first put forward as a part of first-wave feminism, with early efforts being a product of nineteenthcentury Trade Union activism in industrialized countries: for example, a series of strikes by unionized women in the UK in the 1830s. As a consequence, after the Second World War, trade unions and governmental leaders in industrialized countries gradually came to embrace equal pay for equal work. Well, not entirely but that was the beginning of an ongoing conversation to date.
The Definitions
Equal pay means that all workers have the right to receive equal remuneration for work of equal value. While the concept is straightforward, what equal pay actually entails and how it’s applied in practice has proven to be difficult.
Often labelled wrongly, equal pay and equal work mean different things in several contexts.
Equal Pay
Equal pay applies to all contractual terms, not just pay. This includes: • basic pay • non-discretionary bonuses • overtime rates and allowances • performance-related benefits • severance and redundancy pay • access to pension schemes • benefits under pension schemes • hours of work • company cars • sick pay • fringe benefits such as travel allowances • benefits in kind
Equal Work
On the other hand, there are three kinds of equal work: Like work, work rated as equivalent and Work of equal value.
Like Work
’Like work’ is work that is the same or broadly similar. It involves similar tasks requiring similar knowledge and skills, where any differences are not of practical importance. A difference in workload doesn’t itself prevent a ‘like work’ comparison unless the increased workload represents a difference in responsibility or other difference of practical importance. These examples have been judged to be ‘like work’ by the courts: • A woman preparing lunches for directors and a man preparing breakfast, lunch and tea for employees. • Male and female supermarket employees who perform similar tasks requiring similar skill levels, although the men may lift heavier objects from time to time.
Work Rated as Equivalent
‘Work rated as equivalent’ has been rated under a valid job evaluation scheme as being of equal value in terms of how demanding it is, including effort, skill and decision making. Jobs involving dissimilar tasks may be rated as equivalent. For example, the work of an occupational health nurse might be rated as equivalent to that of a production supervisor when components of the job such as skill, responsibility and effort are assessed.
Work of Equal Value
‘Work of equal value’ is not like work and has not been rated as equivalent, but is of equal value in terms of demands such as the effort involved, skills necessary to do the job and decision-making that is part of the role. In some cases, the two jobs may appear broadly comparable, such as a female head of personnel and a male head of finance. More commonly, entirely different types of jobs, such as manual and administrative, can turn out to be of equal value when analysed. Examples of different jobs which have been ruled to be of equal value by the courts include: • Clerical assistant equal to warehouse operative • Canteen workers and cleaners equal to surface mineworkers and clerical workers • School nursery nurse equal to local government architectural technician • Head of speech and language therapy service equal to the head of hospital pharmacy service This does not necessarily mean that jobs with these job titles or similar will always be of equal value to each other in every organisation that uses the same titles.
VOL 1 NO.36 • OCTOBER 17 – OCTOBER 23, 2021
THEWILL DOWNTOWN
THE SCENE DOWNTOWN
HEINEKEN DFA SHOWCASE 2021: The best of fashion and music
I
t was one of the best fashion parades ever witnessed at this year’s Heineken Design Fashion Africa (DFA) Showcase 2021 which took place at the Eko Convention Centre of Eko Hotel, Lagos recently.
Top designers in the country and other parts of Africa came together to showcase different creative African fashion, toeing the line of this year’s theme ‘Creative Cultures’. Yomi Casual, Zikora, Jurio Lutti, Niposkin, Skentele by Etti, Studio Trybe, Meklit.me, Lulla Studio, Femi Toys, among others all showcased different fashion wears both for men and women. Fashion lovers were thrilled by the display of style on the runway. Music lovers also had a great time with performances from amazing Nigerian artistes live at the event such as Patoranking, Aramide, Crayon, Tclassic, Ric Hassani, Ycee, Dapo Turbuna, Reekado Banks and others. Valerie Ike was tasked with the honour of receiving the guests on the Black Carpet while the duo of Eso Dike and Idia Aisen entertained the guests as the event hosts. Business Development Manager (Low and No) of the Heineken Company, Sampson Oloche, who was present at the show said they believe the DFA is definitely a big property. Speaking at the event, Oloche said, “We have been supporting fashion for 11 years,” he said. “I am happy the event was a success as designers were given the opportunity to showcase their creativity. “At Heineken, we feel fashion is a big property in our hands, and with the right investment, it can become another moneymaking industry in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.” DFA towards getting to the final showpiece organized a reality show with over 2000 video entries received from different parts of Africa with designers showing off their pieces. With judges like Godson Ukaegbu, Adebayo Oke-Lawal, Akin Faminu, Oluwatosin Ogundadegbe, Michael Ugwu, and Ituen Basi, the entries were reduced to 10 with the lucky 10 camped at a location in Lagos for 30 days where the eventual winner, Zikoranachukwuebuka Ikebuaku of Zikora, emerged and carted away with ten thousand dollars (10,000USD).
Adebayo Oke-Lawal
Deji Awokoya
This year’s edition of DFA was in collaboration with Jakaranda Productions and SpiceTV.
L-R Tobi Ojora, Feyi Ayodeji, Ikeola Kola-Daisi, Aboyowa Ikpobe, Brand Support Manager, Heineken
Ituen Basi
L-R- Sampson Oloc Development Manhe, Business Heineken; Zikoranaager (Low and NO), Ikebuaku, winner; chukwuebuka Support Manager, Aboyowa Ikpobe, Brand Heineken.
L-R Emmanuel Oriak Director, Nigerian hi, Marketing and Amaechi OkobBrewery Corporate Communi, Head of ication, Access Bank
Zed eye and Ada Orji
Idia Aisen and Eso Dike
Ric Hassani
L-R Uche Unigwe, Sa nigerian Brewery les Director of an Strategic Business d Amaka Okonkwo, Man
ager Group 8
Yerin Abraham
PAGE 11
VOL 1 NO.36 • OCTOBER 17 – OCTOBER 23, 2021
THEWILL DOWNTOWN
BEAUTY
Water Rose Micellar Cleansing Water GARNIER
CLEANSING WATER/ MICELLAR WATER When you go to your local store, you usually find these products Cleaning Water SHISEIDO together and while they often look the same to some users, the Cleansing and Micellar Water are quite different. Cleansing Water is purified water solution with cleansing properties formulated with ingredients like cucumber, papaya, lavender, orange fruit extract, or chamomile (they reduce signs of ageing by protecting the skin from free radicals damage). It provides the multi-benefits of a cleanser and toner in one. While Micellar Water is purified water with gentle basic essentials oils, they are more oil-concentrated than the cleansing water. Due to the oil present in the components, it is very effective Herbal + Oil Infused for makeup removal compared Micellar Cleansing Water SKIN BY ZARON to your regular facial wipes.
TONER
EFFECTIVE WAYS TO PREPARE YOUR SKIN FOR A
T
BY SOPHIA EDISI
he key to a “natural and flawless” look starts with the best skin preparation. Everyone loves a good makeover but what some people don’t know is; how you prep your skin will determine the general outlook of your makeover. You might be wondering why you need this even if you don’t apply make-up very often. What you should know is that skin prepping is essential for any age or skin type. Here are six simple and effective ways to get your skin ready for a makeover.
PAGE 12
Toners are used after cleansing, T they will help to complete your cleansing process by removing any dust or in-depth dirt that cleansing water might have missed, or oily residue stuck in your pores from your cleanser. It is advisable to use one after washing your face and before using a serum or moisturiser. The toner will help to restore your skin’s pH level, smoothen it by refining rough patches, and improve your skin tone and elasticity. Apply with a cotton pad and dab gently on the face, it’s that simple and uncomplicated.
Herbal Skin Clearing Toner ORIKI
Glycolic Acid Toning Solution THE ORDINARY
Eden’s Elixir Toner ARAMI
VOL 1 NO.36 • OCTOBER 17 – OCTOBER 23, 2021
THEWILL DOWNTOWN
BEAUTY SERUM Using a face serum is a very important step for prepping your skin before applying your makeup. They contain acids, vitamins, and antioxidants that penetrate deep into your skin; getting rid of fine lines, blemishes, and fight ageing signs and dryness. Serums are an alternative for keeping your face hydrated, plump, and moist, turning dulllooking skin into a healthy supple one. Some face serums contain vitamin C which acts as an astringent and also tightens your pore. Also because they are light, they won’t congest your pores. Pure Shots Light up Serum YSL
Multi Protec Protection ction Anti-Oxidant Anti Oxidant idant Day Wea Wear ESTEE LAUDER
SUN PROTECTION FACTOR (Face Cream) We cannot talk about this enough! Regardless of if you are a beauty lover or not, you definitely need a face product that contains SPF to protect your skin from UVA and UVB radiation which causes sun damages to your skin. It also strengthens your skin barriers. When it comes to SPF, the higher the better.
Glow Primer + Serum NEUTROGENA
MOISTURISERS
Oil Free Moisturizer KATE SOMERVILLE
SSkin Sk in RRegenerating egenneratin ingg Mois Moisturizer stu turirize zer CCERAVE ERA RAVE
These are skincare products that are well formulated to protect and lubricate your skin. It is very important that you know your skin type before getting one; this would help you determine which products best suit you. There are different moisturisers per skin type so be sure to purchase one that works best for you. For dry skin, it’s recommended to use a heavier and oil-based moisturiser, a lighter and water based one for oily/combination skin, and Aloe Vera for those with sensitive skin. Seed/plant oils like coconut, almond, shea butter, rosehip, jojoba, tea tree, salicylic acid, antioxidants, h on oney, and aloe vera a are e som honey, some of the ingredients to o lo llook ook purchasin ing a out for when purchasing moisturiser.
Sun Protection Day Cream SKIN BY ZARON
Revitalift Filler Face Cream L’OREAL
PRIMER If you are comfortable with not having your make-up staying on all day, then this product isn’t necessary for you. But if you intend to have a longer-lasting flawless smooth finish, then a face primer is just what you need. It improves coverage and lengthens the amount of time your foundation lasts on your face. For oily skin, it’s best that you go with mattifying face primers that help to control the oil circulation and provide a crease-free silky soft feeling that helps your make-up glide on effortlessly. It’s best to moisturise your face before priming your face because it makes your primer application even. Wait for about 60 seconds for the product to set properly and then you are
Prime Light Face Primer MILANI
good to go.
Mat Definition Smoothing Face Primer BLACK UP
FFitit Me Matte + Poreless Fac ace Primer P Face MAYBELLINE
Regenerist Regeneris st Night Moisturizer Moisturizzer OLAY OLA LAYY
PAGE 13
VOL 1 NO.36 • OCTOBER 17 – OCTOBER 23, 2021
THEWILL DOWNTOWN
FEATURE
Say Hello to
OLUCHI MADUBUIKE The Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2021
T
HOO PH PRUH DERXW \RXUVHOI b My name is Oluchi Madubuike, I’m a 25 years old registered nurse who works in the East Emergency Room and Intensive Care Unit. I am driven by passion and purpose. Even coming to MBGN was fulfilling a prophecy. I’m also creating awareness for blood cancer, which is something that’s very close to my heart because I lost my dad to leukemia ten years ago. So since then, I’ve taken it to be my life mission. I’m fun-loving, easygoing, resilient driven, a whole lot in one person and I’m glad that God has been able to allow me to express all this strength.
From being a registered nurse to modelling and now an advocate for Blood Cancer Awareness, Oluchi Madubuike is not your average beauty queen. The trained nurse who has just been crowned the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) 2021, speaks to DOWNTOWN’s Sophia Edisi about the journey to winning the coveted title, defeating COVID-19, and becoming one of the faces to note in Nigeria. PAGE 14
You now hold the title of Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2021, how does that make you feel? I think, for the most part, it makes me feel fulfilled. It’s something I’ve dreamt of and told my dad about since I was a little girl. I remember when I was five, we were watching the show when Agbani won the pageantry. Since then it became something I really wanted to do. He looked at me and said, ``Well you know you are going to win Miss World” and he has always had that belief in me. So for me to achieve those dreams, it’s a real feeling. It is also a fulfillment of a prophecy that I got three years ago from my pastor and just to see how everything eventually turned out, because, at the time, I wasn’t sure how that was going to happen. But it has now been all clear and manifesting and it’s such a beautiful feeling.
VOL 1 NO.36 • OCTOBER 17 – OCTOBER 23, 2021
THEWILL DOWNTOWN
FEATURE Why did you decide to compete in the pageantry? So like I said, MBGN is something that has been a part of my dream since I was little but also because it’s the biggest platform in Nigeria and it will get me into international waters. With my advocacy for creating awareness for blood cancer, I just don’t want to be a local advocate but also an international ambassador because I can do so much more, get some of the international crowd to also care for some of the stations that I work for. I think that would be more impactful. I also did it more for the purpose part of the journey but a lot of it was through prayers as well, because I had a nudge in my spirit and heart last year, more like a confirmation to come and participate in the pageantry this year.
Was there any structure put in place to contain the virus? Yes, I was in America at the time and I had to obviously quarantine. My symptoms did not require that I stay in the hospital and so I was at home isolating and praying that everything will turn out okay. But that was a huge battle that I had to fight, not just physically and my body being weak but also mentally. It was also at the time when we were doing our first task for MBGN, so you can imagine the thoughts going through my head at the time; I wondered if it’s something I should continue with. I didn’t share this with anyone, not even my sisters nor the leaders knew that I was sick with the virus. It was indeed a very scary time for me. Did you at any time doubt yourself during the competition? The truth is everyone has different insecurities. In camp, the difficulties I faced happened when my insecurities were playing out. When you start to second-guess yourself, asking questions like: ‘why am I doing this?’ That happened to me during camp. I just had to make sure that I was still doing it for the right reason, which is to create more awareness for blood cancer. So yes, I had doubts, plus this year was one of the toughest years MBGN has ever had. The girls were beautiful, purpose-driven, and passionate. They were very strong competitors, so the biggest thing was just remembering why I was doing what I was doing. You are a trained nurse but you are now a model. Would you like to continue your career in nursing or would you rather continue with modelling? I think healthcare has my heart, I don’t think I can just drop it all the way. I feel like I can do both, especially if I continue my nursing career in America, coupled with what MBGN will bring and what I will face as well. Because of the flexible schedule we have over there, it’s reasonable for me to balance two careers. I will definitely
What do you think made you stand out from the other contestants? I think the basic thing for me is that I stayed true to who I am. Like I said, I’m very multi-passionate and have been blessed with a lot of strength and I think that it’s the strength that showed. But to be fair, I don’t think that I was much different from the other contestants, I was just who they were looking for at this time. The strength that I have is probably what they wanted to find in a beauty queen at least this year.
still continue with nursing and I actually have plans to go to medical school, that’s my final goal. It will be a hard thing to do a whole career in modelling so I will just go with it as a hobby. What do you have to say about those who think or speak negatively about pageantry in Nigeria and the world at large? Even in the Bible, it says “my people perish for the lack of knowledge” and I think when you are not educated well on a certain topic, you have the tendency to be biased. The best way to correct these biases is to educate people. So one of the major things in pageantry that people don’t understand is that it encompasses so much growth in a woman mentally, physically, and emotionally just to be able to compete. It’s not just all about beauty, you are looking at substance, what they possess inside, how smart they are and how well they can articulate themselves. I mean if people look properly, they will see that a lot of girls that come out for pageantry possess so much of what our future leaders need to have. A girl that’s not just beautiful but purposedriven and fighting for a cause that’s important to humanity. Which is actually what the leaders of tomorrow need to have. How do you feel that there is now inclusivity in the world of modelling? I am someone who believes in representation. It’s very unfair for people to only have to look at skinny models when there are women that are of different sizes all around the world. It represents a negative message as though you are not beautiful or worthy except you look a certain way. When you represent a true message that there are people of different sizes then it gets to allow people to know that it’s okay to be comfortable in who they are. So I think we are definitely heading in the right direction because representation is important as far as it concerns making everybody feel loved and respected in their own right. I’m really proud of the fact that we are open to the idea of making it happen.
What major challenges did you encounter during the pageantry? I went through multiple challenges before MBGN and in camp. One of my major challenges prior to coming to camp was that I tested positive for the COVID-19 virus after I had already been selected as top 27. I had come to Nigeria for the physical screening and shortly after, I went back to America which was where I was staying at the time. Having COVID was a very scary moment for me, however, I was hopeful and prayerful that I would come out of it alive.
Where do you see yourself in the next five years? By God’s grace, I feel like I will definitely be working in my Godgiven purpose and being an international ambassador for the blood cancer awareness initiative, and also doing a lot of philanthropy work. I also see myself expanding my career in the medical field and becoming a physician. For the most part, I think wherever life does point me in, as long as I’m working with God and his purpose and continue to be driven by passion, I will be very happy wherever I find myself. So those are the two things I want to focus on; my advocacy and advancement in my career. Image by Studio 24
PAGE 15
THEWILL DOWNTOWN
VOL 1 NO.36 • OCTOBER 17 – OCTOBER 23, 2021
BY BOLUWATIFE ADESINA Movie Review w:
CANDYMAN
Director: Nia DaCosta Cast: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Tayonah Parris, Tony Todd, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Colman Domingo, Brian King, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Rebecca Spence, Kyle Kaminsky, Vanessa Estelle Williams.
T
he original Candyman, a 1992 slasher movie starring Tony Todd as a vengeful specter in a fur-lined coat, with a hook for a left hand and a devoted swarm of killer bees, was an urban-legend horror film that was ahead of its time but also, just maybe, a little too much of its time. Todd’s scowling ripper started off as an enslaved person’s son, Daniel Robitaille, who in the late 1800s was a successful artist. But then he had a relationship (and fathered a child) with a wealthy white woman whose portrait he’d been commissioned to paint. Her father hired a mob to go after him. The mob tore off his hand and covered him in honey, and a swarm of bees stung him to death. Candyman is the violent ghost he became. That’s a potentially incendiary premise, but in 1992, Candyman, directed by the English filmmaker Bernard Rose adhered a little too closely to the stylized tropes of the slasher film. The movie worked, but like too many slasher films of the time, it was more sensational than haunting. But now Candyman has been remade, by director Nia DaCosta and what she has done is make a horror movie that has its share of enthralling shocks, but one that’s rooted in a richer meditation on the social terror of the Candyman fable. The new Candyman references the plot of the original as a sinister fanfare of shadow puppets as if to say, “That was mythology. This is reality.” It’s less a slasher than a drama with a slasher in the middle of it. It stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who gives as searching a performance as you’re likely to see in a movie that’s a voluptuous pageant of fear and gore. He plays Anthony McCoy, an aspiring artist who grew up in the Cabrini-Green housing projects of Chicago, which is where much RI WKH RULJLQDOb&DQG\PDQbtook place. Now, as he prepares a new set of works for a group exhibition that’s being organized by
his girlfriend, Brianna (Teyonah Parris), who works for a hipster gallery owner who’s the person in the movie you most want to see die in a fancy way (the film does not disappoint), Anthony looks to the Candyman as an inspiration to leave aesthetic safety behind and create a work that’s daring enough to be true. The art-world setting allows DaCosta to offer a deft satire of gentrification, with the Cabrini-Green projects paved over — and the knowledge of American economic apartheid they represent buried right along with them. At the gallery show, Anthony’s featured piece is a mirrored installation that if you look closely enough, contains images of horror from the past; but if you don’t look closely, you’ll just see yourself. The name of the piece LVbSay My Name, and that’s a disquieting joke — because, of course, it’s a Candyman reference that plays off the rhetorical fire of our own time, in a way that suggests that confronting racial demons isn’t as simple as “acknowledging” the crimes against Black people that have happened on a daily basis. The movie says: You can acknowledge the injustice — but what happens to the UDJH"bCandymanbSUHVHQWV WKH UHWXUQ RI WKH repressed for an era that wants to pretend it’s no longer repressing things. 2QH UHDVRQ WKLVbCandymanbQHYHU IHHOV OLNH a formula slasher film, even during the murders, is that DaCosta stages them with a spurting operatic dread that evokes the grandiose sadism of mid-period Brian De Palma. When four young women stand before the school bathroom mirror and say Candyman five times, it’s as if they’re acting out what they think is their privilege; their deaths come at us in a way that’s just oblique enough to get you to imagine the worst. And when a know-it-all art critic (Rebecca Spence) receives her own ghastly comeuppance, DaCosta shoots it from an elegant distance that heightens the horror. Mad slashers in movies are technically villains, and then, if they hang around long enough (i.e., for enough sequels), they turn into ironic franchise heroes; they’re the icons you want to see. But the whole premise RIbCandymanbLV WKDW &DQG\PDQ IURP WKH start, is a supremely un-mad slasher. He’s a walking historical corrective, throwing the violence of White America back in its face. It’s $QWKRQ\ WKH ILOPōVbKHUR ZKR WXUQV LQWR LWV most haunting figure. He gets stung by a bee, creating a wound on his hand that starts to grow and rot, spreading over his body, until by the end he’s become a shattering image of what racial violence looks like when it begins WR HDW \RX XS IURP WKH LQVLGH ,QbCandyman, there’s plenty of horror, but none of it is as disturbing as the true-life horror that can make people feel like they’re ghosts of the pa st. 6/10
Scan this with your camera to access the playlist (Apple Music)
Scan this with your camera to access the playlist (Spotify)
Playlist for the week
J Dilla - Don’t Cry
Zinoleesky - Gone Far
Baby Keem - trademark usa
BenjiFlow; Oxlade - My Bella
The Alchemist; MIKE - Lossless (feat. MIKE)
Tkay Maidza - You Sad
Netflix Watch of the Week
Squid Game
Unless you’ve been living under a rock the past few weeks, you’ve likely KHDUG RIbSquid Game, the Korean drama on Netflix that has taken the world by storm. You’ve also probably asked yourself if it’s worth it to dive into the series. Well, let me tell you the answer to that question is an HPSKDWLFbyes. The basics of the story aren’t all that new – 456 desperate individuals agree to join a game and are told that if they manage to win at six children’s games, they will share in a massive cash prize (ultimately, about 45 billion Korean won, or roughly $38 million). What they aren’t told is that failure to win a game will result in the participant’s death. So, when game one – a seemingly simple game of Red Light, Green Light – ends with a heap of bodies littering the playing field, things become frighteningly real for both the characters and the audience. But Squid Game, the brainchild of the excellent
Zlatan - Ale Yi
writer-director Hwang Dong-hyuk isn’t just an excuse to watch various characters die whilst playing children’s games. Amidst the violence (and yes, it is violent), there’s a compelling set of characters who we get to know incredibly well over the course of a mere nine episodes (perhaps the series’ greatest feat is how its character development and exposition never feel heavy or clunky – every moment feels earned, each beat interesting, and by the infamous sixth episode, you are wholly invested in the fates of the show’s main characters) and an equally compelling message about the painful horrors of capitalism when you are living on the fringes of economic ruin. This isn’t a series that hits you over the head with its central message – which would be that unchecked capitalism leads to a world where ordinary people are faced with the choice of continuing
Jessie Ware - Remember Where You Are
Juls; Agent Sasco (Assassin); WizKid; JAEL - Close To Me
MzVee; Tiwa Savage - Coming Home (feat. Tiwa Savage) to fall deeper and deeper into debt whilst those with money and power are able to treat those below the poverty line as subhuman. Without the compelling central characters – namely Lee Jung-jae’s Seong Gi-hun, a whiny manchild who has an arc that takes him from a character I could hardly stand, to one you can’t help but root for, and Jung Ho-yeon’s Kang Sae-byeok, who slowly opens up more as the story builds, and whose performance in the later episodes of the series is just plain sensational – the story would feel preachy and oversaturated with its violent elements. Each of the main characters is provided a clear arc over their time on the series, and all characters feel multidimensional – even those we only get to spend a brief bit of time with. Squid Game is currently streaming all nine episodes on Netflix.
PAGE 16