It’s Saturday so let’s take a trip down memory lane to old iconic Nollywood movies which made our days back in the days. These movies featured veteran Nigerian acts some now late but never forgotten and some others still making waves in the Nigerian movie industry. On my list, here are five of such movies.
Osuofia In London
Osuofia in London is a 2003 Nigerian comedy movie produced and directed by Kingsley Ogoro, starring Nkem Owoh as Osuofia. The film is arguably one of the highest selling Nollywood films in history. It was followed by a 2004 sequel titled Osuofia in London 2. Osuofia a bamboozled agropreneur from South East, Nigeria, receives word on the demise of his brother Donatus in London, England. Donatus in his will left Osuofia his huge estate as sole beneficiary. Osuofia finds his way to London only to find his late brother’s English fiancée Samantha -Mara Derwent – does not want to follow the Nigerian tradition of becoming part of the ‘inheritance’ herself. Cultural misunderstandings result in a comedy of errors.
State Of Emergency
State of Emergency is a Nigerian action movie which tells the story of ministers of state in Nigeria as hostages of armed robbers who demand a ransom from the state. It took only one officer to make a difference by killing the gang and rescuing the surviving ministers and show what Nigerian officers can do when they set their minds to it. The movie featured veteran actors like Ejike Asiegbu, Bimbo Manuel, Saint Obi and Rachael Oniga.
Living In Bondage
Living in Bondage is a 1992/93 Nigerian two-part thriller drama directed by Chris Obi Rapu, written by Kenneth Nnebue and Ikechukwu Ogunjiofor. The film which was shot straight-to-video, starred Kenneth Okonkwo and Nnenna Nwabueze in their breakout roles.
In August 2015, Charles Okpaleke acquired the rights to Living in Bondage for a period of ten years under his production company Play Entertainment Network. On November 2 this year, the highly anticipated sequel, Living in Bondage: Breaking Free, premiered in Lagos.
Glamour Girls
Glamour Girls is a two-part Nollywood film about independent single women embarking on their own paths within Nigeria’s traditionally patriarchal society. It gained widespread popularity in Nigeria and to this day there are more young girls who did not watch the movie than there are those who watched it. The film starred Liz Benson, Ngozi Ezeonu, Eucharia Anuobi, Pat Attah, Ernest Obi, Zack Orji, and others.
Not Man Enough
The movie starred Andy Chukwu, Emeka Ike, Muna Obiekwe, Genevieve Nnaji, Lilian Bach among others. Released in 2003, the movie was produced by Nwafor Anayo and directed by Andy Chukwu. The movie starred Emeka Ike as a playboy, Nelson. The late Muna Obiekwe starred in the movie as Steve, a friend of Nelson, who had a crush on Genevieve Nnaji as Maureen. The first time Steve gets to speak to Maureen, the popular ‘man saves the day’ trope is used. He meets Maureen and her friend stranded after their car broke down by the road.
He helps fix the car, starting a friendship between them. Steve tells Nelson about a girl in his life. He doesn’t show him photos or give him a name. Steve travels out of town and in his absence, Nelson meets and starts a relationship with Maureen who denies being the father of her child when she got pregnant. Weeks later, Nelson returns to Maureen, asks for forgiveness and wins her back, in spite of pleas from Steve. Maureen gets pregnant again and Nelson, who was already in love with a new girl, Jessy, denies it. Jessy, this time meets and falls in love with poor Steve. These two start a relationship leading a bitter and heartbroken Maureen to the heinous act of giving Nelson an acid bath.