Behind the Frames of Breath of Life: The Camera Team Behind Nollywood’s AMVCA-Winning Film

Tolulope Oke

The success of Breath of Life, the Nigerian drama that won Best Movie at the 2024 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), highlighted the work of a production team whose contributions extended beyond the performances on screen. Behind the film’s storytelling was a camera department responsible for translating its emotional depth, period setting and dramatic moments into a coherent visual experience.

Written and directed by BB Sasore, Breath of Life follows Timi Johnson, a man whose life takes a devastating turn before an encounter with a younger man prompts him to reconsider faith, purpose and his relationship with the world around him. Released on Prime Video in December 2023, the film combines personal drama with themes of redemption, hope and the human capacity for change.

Ola Cardoso served as the film’s cinematographer, leading its visual approach. His work helped establish the visual atmosphere through which audiences encounter the characters and their changing circumstances. Framing, camera movement, lighting and the relationship between the performers and their surroundings are essential to creating a believable screen world, particularly in a period drama where visual details must support the film’s setting and emotional register.

The camera department’s work formed part of a wider collaboration involving the director, production design team, lighting crew and other technical departments. Each scene required coordinated practical execution to support the intended composition and maintain visual continuity throughout the production.

Cardoso’s contribution also received individual industry recognition when he was nominated for Best Cinematography at the 2024 AMVCA. Although the award went to KC Obiajulu for Over the Bridge, the nomination placed Cardoso’s work on Breath of Life among the cinematography achievements recognised by the awards that year.

A film’s visual execution depends on the coordinated work of specialists across the camera and electrical departments. The publicly available production credits for Breath of Life identify a team that included Cardoso Lanre, First Assistant Camera; Anate Joseph, Assistant Camera; Opeyemi Obasuyi, Second Assistant Camera; Olayinka Kasali, Digital Imaging Technician; Abiodun Fajumo, Key Grip; Peter Ndubuisi Okonkwo, Grip; Tayo Oladiran, Camera Trainee; Aibu Ridwan Alabi, Lighting Assistant; Osega Abiodun Michael, Best Boy; and Festus Enogieru, Drone Pilot.

The production also credited Jolayemi Joshua as Grip and Camera Assistant on the second unit, Tobi Shoneye as Gaffer and Camera Assistant on the second unit, and Bamidele Sazus for aerial cinematography. Together, these roles supported the practical work required to capture the film’s scenes. The cinematographer leads the visual approach, while camera assistants and other specialists help the unit execute planned shots and maintain an organised production workflow.

At the 2024 AMVCA, Breath of Life won five awards, including Best Movie, Best Director for BB Sasore, Best Lead Actor for Wale Ojo, Best Supporting Actor for Demola Adedoyin and Best Supporting Actress for Genoveva Umeh. The film’s recognition reflected the combined work of its cast and production crew across multiple areas of film making.

For the professionals behind the camera, the production demonstrates how technical collaboration supports a film’s wider creative ambitions. From cinematography and camera operation to grip, lighting, digital imaging and aerial work, the camera department formed part of the production infrastructure that helped bring Breath of Life to life.