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10 Nollywood Films You Have to See

10 Nollywood Films You Have to See

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Bollywood, Hollywood, Nollywood. Three booming film industries rake in billions of dollars every year for their respective nations. In Africa, Nollywood (a hybrid of the words “Hollywood” and “Nigeria”) produces on average 1,000 films per year. Hollywood makes only half that number. Here in no particular order are 10 fabulous Nollywood films you have to see.

Sources: theguardian.com, imdb.com, thenet.ng, nigeriamovienetwork.com, premiumtimesng.com, nigeriafilms.com, answersafrica.com, nairaland.com, en.wikipedia.org

ysghubs.com
ysghubs.com

Domitilla (1996)

Arriving at the right time just as Nigeria’s film industry was starting to take off, this movie brought the now-popular street film genre to Nigerian screens. Chronicling the life of a girl who moves to the big city of Lagos and becomes a prostitute, it’s morality tale was a runaway success, especially because of the buzz created by an exceptional marketing campaign. Ann Njemanze’s performance as the central character brought her instant fame. The word “Domitilla” — the central character’s name — became widely used as a slang term for prostitute, synonymous with a woman of questionable morals. The film was directed by Zeb Ejiro.

theafricanchannel.co.uk
theafricanchannel.co.uk

Osuofia in London (2003)

Directed by Kingsley Ogoro, this Nigerian comedy is a refreshed version of a classic stranger-comes-to-town tale. A loveable, hard-drinking rube named Osuofia from rural Nigeria receives message that his estranged brother has died in London, and left behind a sum of money. What ensues is a hilarious, bittersweet tale of cultural differences, plotting beautiful vixens, and sleazy moneygrubbers who aim to take poor Osuofia’s money away. This was a top-grossing Nollywood film with popular stars such as African Movie Academy Award winner Nkem Owoh.

nollywoodmindspace.blogspot.com
nollywoodmindspace.blogspot.com

Maami (2012)

This Yoruba Nigerian film directed by Tunde Kelani is a serious, heartbreaking tale conveyed over the course of two days. A poverty-stricken single mother played by Funke Akindele protects her young son Kashimawo (Wole Ojo) from his father. Her son eventually joins the Arsenal Team for the FIFA 2010 World Cup thanks to his mother’s love and support. Spoken in the Yoruba language, the film was influenced  by the director’s childhood in an impoverished South Nigerian town.

museorigins.com
museorigins.com

Glamour Girls (1994)

Another gem from the early days of the industry, the 1994 “Glamour Girls” film and cast were as formidable as a Robert Altman ensemble. Director Kenneth Nnebue’s benchmark film was not an easy view — it featured ripe sexuality and nudity to a degree of high raunchiness. Labeled the “Nigerian Sharon Stone,” actress Eucharia Anunobi delivered a powerful and sultry performance that lives on in the annals of Nollywood history. Her bathroom scene with another actress is still one of the most famous in African cinema. “Glamour Girls” joins the narrative trend seen in Nigerian films where innocent women move to Nigerian cities, to be consumed by the destructive choices they make.

victolavideos.com
victolavideos.com

Most Wanted (1996)

Actress Liz Benson of “Glamour Girls” was front and center in “Most Wanted,” a timeless Nigerian hit with a cross-dressing flair. A group of money-depleted, down-and-out university graduates decide to dress up as men and go on a robbery spree. Complications ensue when one of the women falls for the investigating police officer. The career of leading lady Regina Askia Williams was unquestionably solid after this film. The American version, “Set it Off,” features Queen Latifah’s Cleopatra character, comparable to Williams’ character in “Most Wanted.”

nollywoodreinvented.com
nollywoodreinvented.com

Confusion Na Wa (2013)

Bella Naija named this socially conscious film the best of 2013. The film’s creator, Kenneth Gyang, adopted a non-linear narrative similar in style to Quentin Tarantino or Christopher Nolan. The talented cast (Ramsey Noah, OC Ukeje, Tunde Aladese) helped win this dark comedy Best Nigerian Film and Best Picture at the African Movie Academy Awards. The plot involves a found cell phone that send events spiraling out of control for the central characters. Thought-provoking meditations on society and human fragility are at the heart of this popular film.

derinbyday.wordpress.com
derinbyday.wordpress.com

The Figurine (2009)

Many Nollywood films are released straight to video or DVD (lending to their massive circulation). Director and producer Kunle Afolayan — described by the New York Times as “Scorsese in Lagos” — took the film straight to the big-screen scene in movie theaters alongside popular Hollywood films that year. A mystery/thriller/fantasy combination, it was shown at various African film festivals worldwide, and won five awards at that year’s African Movie Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It is credited with the birth of “New Nollywood,” eschewing what some considered the cheap quality and low standards that many Nigerian films carried before.

african.howzit.msn.com
african.howzit.msn.com

Ani Na Ukwa (2003)

A great comedic film from Nigeria directed by Amayo Uzo Philips, “Aki Na Ukwa” features two young brothers up to mischief in a small Nigerian town. This film made immediate stars out of the two male leads, Osita Iheme and Chinedu Ikedieze.

theculturetrip.com
theculturetrip.com

Living in Bondage (1992)

One of the cornerstones of Nollywood’s success when the industry was just at its inception, this thriller by Chris Obi Rapu went straight to video, as was the trend back in those days for Nigerian films. It’s a creepy, satanic tale of greed, betrayal, and ghostly Shakespearean returns. “Living In Bondage” stars legendary Nigerian actors Kanayo O. Kanayo and Francis Agu.

insidepulse.com
insidepulse.com

Nollywood Babylon (2008)

While not a product of the Nollywood machine, this documentary made by Canadian filmmakers Ben Addelman and Samir Mallal chronicles the rise of the Nigerian film industry. “Nollywood Babylon,” along with two other documentaries — “Welcome to Nollywood” (2007, directed by Jamie Meltzer) and “This is Nollywood” (2007, Robert Capputo and Franco Sacchi) — detail the economy, struggles, and vision that helped make Nigeria and its film industry pillars of the African economy.