MOVIES

Crime Thriller “Orah” To Open AFRIFF 2023

Published

11 months ago

October 27, 2023

Crime Thriller Orah To Open AFRIFF 2023 In Lagos | Fab.ng

The 12th edition of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in November 2023 will kick off with “Orah“, a revenge thriller by Nigerian-Canadian filmmaker, Lonzo Nzekwe.

The film revolves around a Canadian taxi driver seeking vengeance against a Nigerian drug-trafficking ring responsible for her son’s death.

Lonzo Nzekwe, the writer and director, developed “Orah” over 11 years, with the story shifting to a revenge thriller after his brother was killed by a stray bullet from a now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) officer in 2016.

“I had to travel to Nigeria to get to the root of how my brother was killed. That’s when the rage I had inside, and the pain I saw on my mother’s face led to revenge thoughts, to getting my pound of flesh. I realised the only way to deal with that was to channel it through a film, and I poured everything into my script.”

His journey to Nigeria to understand his brother’s death fueled the film’s creation.

“Orah” aims to provide an authentic glimpse into the main character’s life and her quest for vengeance, creating a gripping crime thriller.

Crime Thriller Orah To Open AFRIFF 2023 | Fab.ng

Co-produced by Floyd Kane and Amos Adetuyi, the film will premiere at AFRIFF’s opening gala night on November 5, supporting indigenous projects as part of the festival’s vision.

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Chioma Ude, the founder and director of AFRIFF, highlighted the festival’s commitment to promoting African filmmaking and storytelling on a global scale saying,

“Filmmaking is evolving rapidly in Africa with Nigeria at the forefront of the renaissance and this year’s edition is designed to continue to reiterate the opportunities for African films and storytelling to reflect ‘global’ perspectives for the sustained success of more local films globally.

“We intend to continue to empower our storytellers to explore ideologies and techniques that connect with the larger global audience. Orah is positioned as the opening night film to drive this expectation.”

The lead role of Orah is portrayed by Oyin Oladejo, with support from talented actors like Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama, O.C. Ukeje, and others.

“Orah” was filmed in Canada and Nigeria in late 2022 and was screened at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September.

The film’s production involved Circle Blue Entertainment, Freddie Films, IronFlix Inc., Telefilm Canada, Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), ONCreates Film Fund, and Level Film as the Canadian distributor.

AFRIFF’s theme for this year is “Indigenous 2.0 Global“, and the festival will run from November 5 to November 11, showcasing numerous films from diverse storytellers.

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MOVIES

Netflix Unveils Trailer For Upcoming Film, “Hijack 93”, Premiering This October

Published

1 day ago

October 3, 2024

Reporter

Hijack '93: Netflix Unveils Trailer for Upcoming Film | fab.ng

Netflix has released the highly anticipated trailer for “Hijack ’93.” Charles Okpaleke directed this historical drama that is set to premiere on October 25, 2024. The film promises an exploration of a notable event in Nigerian history.

“Hijack ’93” joins a growing lineup of authentic Nigerian stories showcased by Netflix. Further, it builds upon the success of previous Play Network films like “Blood Vessel” and “Glamour Girls.” This new project reinforces the streaming giant’s dedication to telling compelling tales from Africa.

The 1993 hijacking of a Nigerian Airways flight by a group of teenagers inspired “Hijack ’93”.

The film is a fictionalized retelling of this dramatic incident. Interestingly, the film goes into the motivations of the hijackers and the challenges faced by the passengers and crew. Also, it touches on the broader societal implications of the event.

Charles Okpaleke is the producer and co-founder of Play Network Studios. He expressed the importance of preserving and sharing such historical moments. He emphasized that events like the 1993 hijacking are crucial to understanding Nigeria’s past. Further, it should be passed down to future generations.

“Such historic events are essential to our nation’s history and must be shared with future generations,” said Charles Okpaleke.

“Hijack ’93 is a fictional retelling inspired by the real-life hijacking of a Nigerian Airways flight in 1993 by a group of Nigerian teenagers. These pivotal events, which shaped our nation’s history, risk being forgotten over time. As a filmmaker, my goal is to preserve and share authentic African stories with a global audience.” Okpaleke added.

The film features a cast of both seasoned actors and fresh talent. Familiar faces like Bob Manuel, John Dumelo, Sharon Ooja, Nancy Isime, Jemima Osunde, and Efa Iwara take center stage.

Additionally, debut performances from Adam Garba, Allison Emmanuel, Oluwaseyi Akinola, and Nnamdi Agbo bring the hijackers’ roles to life.

With its gripping storyline, talented cast, and stunning visuals, “Hijack ’93” will keep audiences seated till the end. This will be both in Nigeria and around the world. As the release date approaches, anticipation continues to build for this film.

Watch the trailer below.

MOVIES

Clarence Peters Promises A Supernatural Thrill With “Inside Life”

Published

2 days ago

October 2, 2024

Reporter

Inside Life Promises a Supernatural Thrill | fab.ng

Clarence Peters has unveiled a new trailer that shows his upcoming drama series “Inside Life.” The trailer gives viewers their first glimpse of an intense supernatural story.

The series takes place in Lagos. It follows characters in the city’s tough prison system. One man fights to stay alive. A sister works hard to get justice for her brother. An ambitious woman faces her own battles. All these stories come together with mystery and supernatural events. The series shows a darker side of Lagos that few know about.

Many famous actors star in the show. Gabriel Afolayan plays a main role. Scarlett Gomez also brings her talent to the screen. Meg Otanwa joins the impressive cast. Further, Jigan Babaoja adds his acting skills. Two respected Nollywood veterans also appear: Jide Kosoko brings his experience to the show and Zack Orji adds his powerful presence.

Peters directed every episode with skill. Two talented writers created the story. Tonia Chukwurah helped write the series. Olumide Kuti also worked on the script. Together, they mix drama with supernatural elements.

The show tells several connected stories. It explores themes of survival in tough places as justice plays a big role in the plot. Personal struggles shape the characters’ choices, and supernatural events change everything for them.

Netflix will release “Inside Life” soon. So, viewers can watch it starting October 11, 2024. The trailer promises an exciting series and shows high production values. The acting looks strong and convincing. Peters has created something unique for Nollywood.

The series looks different from typical shows. Indeed, it brings supernatural elements to a prison story. Yet, the Lagos setting adds extra intensity as viewers will see familiar city locations in new ways.

In addition, the mix of drama and supernatural events creates suspense. So, fans of Nigerian television have something special to look forward to.

Watch the trailer below.

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MOVIES

“Farmer’s Bride” Becomes Second Highest-Grossing Movie This Weekend With ₦37 Million

Published

2 days ago

October 2, 2024

Reporter

Farmer's Bride is second highest-grossing movie... | fab.ng

The Nollywood film, Farmer’s Bride, has achieved significant success at the box office, grossing an impressive ₦37.1 million in its opening weekend. This remarkable feat has positioned the movie as the second highest-grossing film in the country.

Furthermore, Farmer’s Bride has set a new benchmark for 18-rated Nollywood films. It secured the highest opening weekend box office performance for this category in 2024. Additionally, it ranks as the fourth-highest Nollywood opening weekend overall in 2024.

FilmOne Entertainment, the official distributor of Farmer’s Bride, made this announcement in an official statement.

“Farmer’s Bride has smashed box office records in its opening weekend! Thank you for making this film a massive success! If you haven’t experienced it, don’t miss out—get your tickets today! Farmer’s Bride is now showing in all cinemas nationwide.” the post said.

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“Farmer’s Bride” Overview

“Farmer’s Bride” transports viewers to the 1980s in Ibadan. Here, it unravels a gripping narrative of passion, loneliness, and supernatural consequences.

The story centers on Odun, a wealthy but isolated farmer who seeks companionship through marriage to a young woman named Funmi. As their relationship unfolds, viewers witness the complexities of their union and the devastating ripple effects of forbidden desires.

Plot Details of “Farmer’s Bride”

The film runs deep into themes of isolation and yearning. This can be seen as Funmi, trapped in an unfulfilling marriage, finds herself drawn into a dangerous liaison with Odun’s nephew.

Their secret affair sets in motion a chain of events. These events transform this period drama into a haunting exploration of love’s darker dimensions.

The story weaves together elements of traditional Nigerian storytelling with supernatural undertones. Further, it creates a unique narrative.

The Cast Highlights

The film showcases an exceptional ensemble of Nigerian talent:

Tobi Bakre, fresh from his success in “Gangs of Lagos”
Gbubemi Ejeye, known for “Far From Home”
Veteran actor Femi Branch of “House of Gaa”
Nollywood star Mercy Aigbe, celebrated for “Ada Omo Mummy”
Efe Irele, recognized for her work in “L.I.F.E”
Wumi Toriola, known for “Aburo”

Release Information

The film made its theatrical debut on September 27, 2024, inviting audiences into this powerful story of love, betrayal, and the supernatural forces that can be unleashed by unchecked desires.