So I have no idea why I’m calling this the Q list. Q for Quality, Q for Quick, Q for Queen, you take your pick. It just came to me and I liked it so we’ll go with it for now. It’s a list of my favorite films. I’ll attempt to publish one every month.
This is the loooooong awaited list of Nigerian films I highly recommend because I’ve shown them at previous festivals/screenings and they’ve really hit. Warning: these are not aspirational stories, as they do depict tragedy and probably wouldn’t make it to a NOIR FEST, but they are classics and do feature many aspirational characters.
As great as these films are, no one I meet outside of the small bubble of African film buffs or New York African creatives seems to have ever heard of them. Which is a travesty. They’re all online.
I’ll also quickly explain my rating system. For a film to get an overall 10, it has to be a Godfather or Malcolm X. Life-changing, unforgettable shit with a perfect script, perfect cinematography, perfect acting. The closest second I’ve been able to come up with is Veer Zara. I give that a 9.
I rate films on very specific criteria, but won’t necessarily rate each criteria in each film below. For me a 5 is a solid effort. A 4 means I cringed but got through it.
The below films were shown at NYU at my second Nollywood event—as mentioned in Black Genius #1. I’ll write another post about the Yale Africa Film Festival selections soon.
Half of a Yellow Sun
(2013. Dir. Biyi Bandele) – 10 for performances, 9 for Script, 10 for historiocity.
Half of a Yellow Sun is based on Chimamanda Adichie’s book of the same name, and recounts the unfolding of the Biafra War through the intimate lens of a middle-class family. It’s hands-down the best-executed Nollywood film of the Nollywood 2.0 era, and features Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandie Newton, Anika Noni Rose, John Boyega and other talented actors. I once wrote a detailed review for Applause, I’ll update this when I find it.
If you’re Igbo and you haven’t experienced this critical part of your historical identity, fix that now. It’s worth the fee and much more. Trigger warning: Genocide.
Watch the trailer below then watch on Amazon.
October 1
(2014. Dir. Kunle Afolayan) – 9 for historiocity, 9 indigeneity on the Yoruba language and cultural exposure, 10 for cinematography…
October 1 was the first Nollywood film to be purchased by Netflix. It’s a historical thriller set to the period enclosing Nigeria’s independence from Britain. The story follows an investigator trying to solve serial murders. Though it’s a thriller, it didn’t leave me horrified because of the rich cultural influence in the story and the radical ending. I also closed my eyes during the rape scenes. The violence is not nearly as gory as what we are accustomed to from the West. Trigger warning: sexual violence.
If you’re Yoruba and you haven’t seen this rich depiction of our culture, textiles, language, fix that now.
Watch the trailer below then watch on Netflix.
Mother of George
(2014. Dir. Andrew Dosunmu) – The cinematography is an 11, the acting also quite high at an 8.
Andrew Dosunmu is a visual artist so his films are more of an art exhibit than they are a writer’s joy. In this film about a newlywed Yoruba couple who struggles to conceive a child, you’ll see the most magnificent Yoruba wedding on camera anywhere. The film has minimal dialogue, and I’m a writer, so I’d give the script a 5. But the story is moving and memorable. The accents are profoundly imperfect but the cinematography and Danai Gurira’s melanin makes up for all of it. Trigger warning: Nigerian mother in law.
Watch the trailer below then watch on Amazon.
Supreme Price
(2014. Dir. Joanna Lipperman) – 6 for cinematography, 10 for historiocity.
Abiola was Nigeria’s most beloved elected president. He was murdered before he could take office by a poisoned apple allegedly handed to him by Susan Rice. It’s a terribly depressing story, but one that every Nigerian should know, and that’s what this film takes care of. The story is told from his family’s perspective and absolutely gut-wrenching, but it should also make you hopeful to see that his daughter has entered politics to uphold her father’s legacy. This was definitely a solid film, with a 6 for cinematography, 10 for historiocity, 8 for the story.
Watch the trailer below. This film is not on Amazon or Netflix, but you can access it through the distributor here.
