The Nigerian movie industry keeps upping its game and we love what we are seeing. Growing up we enjoyed watching the story of the poor blind orphan who is suffering at the hands of her stepmother, a jealous step-sister and an oblivious father. There’s also the story of seven ‘able-bodied’ men who embark on a trip to find an ancient traditional artefact, amongst them there’s the mummy’s boy, the loverboy with a girlfriend back home, the betrayer who thought he would win and the poor orphan who will emerge the winner,those were good times.
Then we got introduced to Hollywood, their love stories, fantasies, and action scenes and got carried away. But now nollywood is back!
Gone are those days when saying “I don’t watch Nigerian movies” meant you were dope. Now, if you are not on board the Nollywood train, you are lagging, “OYO” (On Your Own) is your case.The Nigerian movie industry is riding on a wave that doesn’t look like it will stop any time soon. Back-to-back premiere of hits, great storyline brilliant casting, an excellent adaptation of books, when it is not a modern story,it is a perfect portrayal of tradition. If you are a devoted fan of nollywood and good movies in general,the following should be on your list,if you are not, the following will change your mind.
1. Anìkúlákpó
A 2022 movie produced by Kunle Afolayan starring Kunle Remi, Bimbo Ademoye, Sola Sobowale, Taiwo Hassan and many others. It tells the story of a traveller Saro, who recently arrived Oyo and got himself mixed up in an illicit affair with the king’s wife which leads to his demise.
2. Blood Sisters
A passionate tale about the worst things that could go wrong before a wedding. Two best friends Sarah(Ini Dima-Okojie) and Kemi (Nancy Isime) are forced to go on the run after Sarah’s abusive fiance disappears during their engagement party.
3. King of Boys
Eniola Salami played by Sola Sobowale is an ambitious woman driven by an insatiable desire for power in a man’s world. Fueled by her past she navigates through politics, betrayal, and death to keep her title ‘King of Boys’. Other members of the cast include Adesua Etomi, Toni Tones, Titi Kuti, Sharon Ooja, Paul Sambo and Akin Lewis.
4. Shanty Town
Shanty Town is a six-episode series featuring a town that deals in dirty business, prostitution and drugs, tangled in political corruption. The series goes a long way to create a picture of a typical Nigerian ghetto thug life and the role it has played and it’s still playing in Nigerian politics. The cast list includes Ini Edo, Chidi Mokeme, Richard Mofe- Damijo, Mercy Eke and Nse Ikpe-Etim, Uche Jumbo and many other stars.
5. Death and the King’s Horseman
A splendid adaptation of Wole Soyinka’s play Death and the King’s Horseman, set during the British Colonial era. After the king dies, his horseman must sacrifice his life and join him in death to be able to serve him even in his afterlife. The character of Elesin Oba the king’s horseman is played by Odunlade Adekola, other notable characters from the book include Iyaloja played by Shaffy Bello, Olunde played by Deyemi Okanlawon, Olawale Brymo Olofooro as the praise singer.
6. Gangs of Lagos
A 2023 movie set in Isale Eko, Lagos Nigeria. It tells the story of three friends, whose lives revolve around violence and politics. At its release the movie generated controversies because it pictures Lagos and its well-known association with gangs and violence, while some people saw this as a misrepresentation and a false portrayal, a large majority applauds the director for putting out Lagos in all its nakedness for everybody to see and maybe a change will come out of it. The cast includes Tobi Bakare, Chike, Adesua Etomi, Bimbo Ademoye and Olarotimi Fakunle.
7. Far From Home
A Nigerian young adult series featuring Mike Afolarin as Ishaya Bello tells the story of Ishaya, a talented artist from a poor family. Holding on to his dreams, he finds himself in the luxurious world of the rich, this could have been his foundation for greatness however a secret threatens his new life, his family and friends. Other members of the cast list includes, Genova Umeh, Funke Akindele, Natse Jemide, Elma Mbadiwe, Bimbo Akintola and Richard Mofe- Damijo.
8. Sòòle
A group of strangers varying in character, religion and opinion all on board a bus from Lagos to Enugu state. On their way they get entangled with dangerous criminals.The cast list, Adunni Ade, Meg Otanwa, Shawn Faqua, Sola Sobowale, Lateef Adedimeji and others.
9. The Griot
The oral traditional storyteller associated with the Yoruba tradition is the centre of this movie. A talented but shy storyteller suffers betrayal at the hand of his friend who steals his tales and uses them to woo the woman he loves. On the cast list we have Caroline Igben, Goodness Emmanuel, Lateef Adedimeji and more.
10. Rattlesnake : The Ahanna Story
Played by Stan Nze, Ahanna Okolo met life with a silver spoon, however, things took a turn for the worst after his father’s demise, he was left by his mom in the village to grow up with his grandmother. After the university, he decided to go back to his mom in Lagos only to be faced with shocking news. Having been dealt badly by life, he decided to create a path for himself through robbery. Other cast members include Osas Ighodaro, Bussi Franklin, Ramsey Noah and others.
It is a beautiful time to be a Nigerian, nollywood is growing beyond our expectations and we love what we are see!
Have you watched any? Tell us your favourite in the comment section.
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