Flashback Narrative Technique: A Reading of Citation

Filmmakers employ flashback as a narrative technique in order to break the traditional, chronological storytelling narrative. Therefore, when the flashback is included, it will likely bring information that had not been produced previously. There will be new details and facts that may help tie in the events taking place as part of the plot. Flashbacks can be included as a break in the narrative, or blended within the story of the characters. Most filmmakers in Nollywood only resort to flashback as an escapist route to gain screen time thereby repeating scenes that have already been shown previously as flashback. This paper presents a critical reading of Kunle Afolayan’s Citation and how the flashback scenes have helped to advance the narrative of the entire film. Findings have shown that the flashback narrative technique in filmmaking is able to expose the back-story and create depth for the characters while still maintaining the suspense in the story. It is recommended that filmmakers must not follow bandwagon even when it may not apply to their story as some authorities have also noted. There must be strong reasons to employ the use of a flashback technique in Nollywood films.