Mike Bamiloye’s sons recall emotional experience directing him in Agbara Nla remake

Damilola and Joshua, sons of Nigerian filmmaker and Mount Zion Ministries founder Mike Bamiloye, have shared their experience directing their father in the remake of his classic movie, Agbara Nla.

Speaking on The Morayo Brown Show, Damilola said directing his father in a role he had watched him play more than two decades ago brought back childhood memories and nearly brought him to tears.

“It was a very emotional process for my brother and I. One of the things I love about my father is that he is very open. He didn’t seem like his son was directing him. If I tell him to do it this way, he will just take the instruction and do it. At one point, I almost shed tears because I had a flashback to all the times when we were young, growing up and watching him act those scenes.”

He also remembered the close-knit environment within Mount Zion Ministries while they were growing up.

“Mount Zion was made up of families. It was like a team back then.”

The brothers said the remake was driven by the need to make the story more accessible to a wider audience. They explained that the original was produced in Yoruba, limiting its reach among viewers who did not understand the language.

The new version combines all seven parts of the original into a single two-hour, 30-minute film, while incorporating modern technology and production techniques.

“This one has the compilation of part 1-7 so we are talking about a 2hr 30 minutes movie that is filled with many highlights. It’s more impactful and will appeal to better to the modern audience.”

The brothers also reflected on growing up in a community where their parents were well known and their conduct was closely observed.

“Part of what helped us is that people know the children of whom you are. Something, even if it’s an argument with a friend, will be viewed deeply, so those kinds of things guided us.”

Damilola described his mother as his best friend during his childhood and said his parents complemented each other, expressing their affection through simple acts of service.

Responding to claims that Mount Zion films portray Yoruba culture negatively, the brothers said the ministry’s focus is on opposing evil rather than any particular culture.

“Mount Zion does not demonise Yoruba culture. It antagonises the workings of the devil, which is not only in Yoruba culture.”