The Nigerian film industry has shown significant growth this year, especially with some filmmakers collaborating with some global streaming giants. Its sobriquet, which is commonly known as Nollywood, has produced a series of wonderful movies and limited series. Daily Trust highlights some film projects that sparked discussions mostly on social media.
1. Anikulapo
Anikulapo is a Kunle Afolayan movie that aired on Netflix in September 2022. The movie, which starred popular thespians like Kunle Remi, Bimbo Ademoye, Sola Sobowale, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, and Taiwo Hassa, shortly became one of the most talked about movie in 2022 as it stirred controversies on the internet.
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Anikulapo was shot in Oyo State. Afolayan described the movie as a ‘Game of Thrones recreation in Nigeria, but with a better representation of the Yoruba culture.’
Aníkúlápó narrates the story of Saro (played by Kunle Remi), a traditional textile weaver whose illicit romance with Queen Arolake (played by Bimbo Ademoye) landed him at death’s door. However, thanks to a mythical bird, Akala, which wakes him from death for questioning, Saro cheats death.
With Arolake by his side, a second shot at life and powers stolen from Akala, Saro starts a new life, but greed and his quest for power ruined him.
2. Glamour Girls
Glamour Girls is a 2022 Nigerian movie directed by Bunmi Adesoye and produced by Abimbola Craig. The movie was first released in 1994 by Director Chika Onkwufor. Considering its massive sales at the time, a remake of the original movie was made.
The movie has been described as the first Nollywood film in English whose leading cast were mainly women as it starred ace actors like Nse Ikpe-Etim, Sharon Roja, Joselyn Dumas, Toke Makinwa, Segilola Ogidan, and several other actresses from the original movie made in 1994.
The movie revolves around a group of girls living glamorous and luxurious lifestyles until killing and theft ended it all.
Following its release, the Glamour Girls remake became a hit with more than 12 million global watch hours from all over the world. It was the fifth overall watched movie on Netflix for the week of 27 June 2022 to 03 July 2022.
3. Elesin Oba (The Kings Horsemen)
Elesin Oba is a 2022 non-fictional Yoruba drama. Directed by the late Biyi Bandele and distributed by Netflix, the movie is based on a stage play by Wole Soyinka written in Cambridge during his exile from Nigeria.
The stage play, which the professor titled, “Death and the King’s Horsemen”, is based on a real happening that took place in the Oyo Empire of the Yorubaland during British Colonial rule.
The movie featured iconic actors like Odunlade Adekola, as the leading character, with Shaffy Bello, Brymo, Deyemi Okanlawon, Omowunmi Dada, Jide Kosoko, Langley Kirkwood, Joke Silva, among others.
The movie was about a chief (Elesin Oba) in the Oyo Empire (played by Odunlade Adekola), whose ‘destiny’ was to perform a ritual suicide at the death of his king. Elesin Oba’s sexual appetites, however, caused him to shirk his responsibilities, which led to a mortal confrontation with the British government’s representatives in the land as it had devastating consequences.
4. King of Thieves
King of Thieves is a 2022 Nigerian thriller film produced by Nollywood actor, Femi Adebayo. The movie featured popular actors like Odunlade Adekola, Femi Adebayo, Toyin Abraham, Broda Shaggi, Adebayo Salami, Lateef Adedimeji, and Ibrahim Chatta.
King of Thieves, which was released on the 8th of April, sparked a lot of commentary on the internet. The movie is a story of a famous town and thriving kingdom of Ajeromi and their encounter with Agesinkole, a powerful bandit and terrorist whose acts threatened the peace of the kingdom.
5. Blood Covenant
Blood Covenant is an English Nollywood movie released in April 2022 by Director Fiyin Gambo.
The movie featured popular actors like Tobi Bakre, Shawn Faqwa, Uzor Arukwe, Alexx Ekubo, and several prominent actors.
Blood Covenant explored the evils of money rituals, greed, peer pressure, and corruption. It revolved around the lives of three friends and how they navigated society’s suffocating boots and the get-rich-quick syndrome.
6. Blood Sisters
Blood Sisters is a 4-part series released by Netflix in May 2022. It was directed by the late Biyi Bandele and produced by Ebony Life’s Mo Abudu.
The story explored themes around physical and emotional abuse. It starred Ini Dima-Okojie and Nancy Isime as best friends, Sarah and Kemi, respectively. It started with the girls accidentally murdering Sarah’s fiancee, Kola (Deyemi Okanlawon), and then becoming fugitives of the law.
7. Brotherhood
Brotherhood is a Nigerian crime-action thriller produced by Jade Osiberu. It hit cinemas in September 2022.
Starring Falz, Tobi Bakre, Basket Mouth, Toni Tones and Deyemi Okanlawon, the movie followed the story of two orphaned brothers who grew up to follow very different paths. One became an officer of the law while the other became a hardened criminal. The problem started when the law-abiding brother was put on a task force created specifically to apprehend his brother’s gang.
8. Far From Home
Written by Dami Elebe and directed by Catherin Stewart and Kenneth Gyang, Far From Home is another mini-series that aired on Netflix in December 2022.
The movie showcased a number of stars including RMD, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Linda Ejiofor, Funke Akindele, Deyemi Okanlawon and Nollywood sweetheart, Bimbo Akintola.
It followed the life of a struggling teenager, Ishaya Bako (played by Mike Afolarin) as he made efforts to pursue his artistic dreams despite being surrounded by poverty and crime.
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