Independence Day was Tuesday last week. I spent the day doing what I always do: watching a lot of movies. In the spirit of the occasion, I focused on Nollywood and was thoroughly entertained by nearly everything I saw. I thought I’d use this opportunity to give you five of the best ones I saw. I’ll also add where I saw them in case you want to tune in as well. 

 

  1. Country Hard (2021)  

 A crime drama written and directed by Paul Utomi, this film revolves around seven strangers whose paths connect in a manner that might affect their lives forever. In a desperate conversation with Jubril (Paul Utomi), Chima (Timini Egbuson) paints Nigeria as a ‘sea of sadness’, and that is what director Utomi set out to convey in Country Hard. This film is a montage that depicts a day in the lives of seven different individuals whose lives intersect in myriad fascinating ways. Country Hard is a well-thought-out and written flick with top-quality cinematography work by Kayode Kasum.  (Available on Amazon Prime Video) 

 

  1. Shina (2023)  

 If you’ve ever hopped in a taxi or Uber in Lagos, you know the drivers have got stories for days! They’ve seen and heard it all; sometimes, they’re even part of it all. Shina takes that familiar scenario and cranks it up. Timini Egbuson is absolutely magnetic as Shina, a young Uber driver whose life takes a wild turn when he agrees to deliver a mysterious package. 

 What starts as a simple gig quickly spirals into a high-stakes adventure filled with danger, intrigue, and a surprising amount of heart. Egbuson captures the essence of a true Lagos hustler perfectly – charismatic, resourceful, and always ready with a quick quip. (Available on Netflix) 

  1. 76 (2016) 

If you enjoy historical fiction, then 76 is the movie you want to see. Set in the pre-civil war era, this film tells the story of a young officer, Joseph Dewa, who gets romantically involved with a student, Suzanne, from the East. Their relationship is strained due to constant military postings and a lack of approval from his wife’s parents. Joseph gets accused of participating in the unsuccessful 1976 military coup and assassination of General Murtala Mohammed. Suzanne, however, fights for his innocence. Directed by Izu Ojukwu, this political drama stars Ramsey Noah, Rita Dominic, and Chidi Mokeme. 

(Available on Netflix) 

  1. Juju Stories (2021) 

Juju Stories is a three-part anthology of magical horror films written and directed by The Surreal16 Collective. Inspired by Nigerian folklore and urban legends, the movie Love Potion, directed by Michael Omonua, tells the story of a woman who uses juju to win back her recalcitrant lover. Yam, directed by Abba T. Makama, follows a street thug (who has picked up some cash on the street) and a vulcanizer (who is about to make an immoral decision), revealing the seedier side of Lagos. In addition, C.J.  Obasi’s Suffer the Witch portrays a college student who draws the interest of a witch.  Juju Stories’s dedication to quality filmmaking and telling Nigerian-inspired stories makes it stand out.  

 (Available on Amazon Prime Video) 

  1. Eyimofe (2020) 

Written and directed by Arie and Chuko Esiri, Eyimofe (This is my Desire) contains two touching narratives set in Lagos. It follows the lives of Mofe, a mechanic, and Rosa, a hairdresser, and their struggle to leave Nigeria in quest of a better life abroad. Their plights are emblematic of the desire of everyday Nigerians to japa. Eyimofe has a strong association between social status, financial resources, gender identity, and family composition at the bottom of the social ladder.  As central as the struggle to leave the country is, it is but one aspect of this film in which the subjects of the plot have to endure several misfortunes.  

 (Available on Amazon Prime Video)  

 

Boluwatife Adesina
Website | + posts

Boluwatife Adesina is a media writer and the helmer of the Downtown Review page. He’s probably in a cinema near you.