Amazon Prime Video

It’s been two months since Prime Video announced its exit from Nigeria. Since then, they’ve dumped movies and shows on our heads like they’re LAWMA and we’re the refuse site.

Normally, we wouldn’t have a problem with this, but these latest drops have had us looking left, right and wondering who sent us message. So, we decided to rank them all.

“L.I.F.E”

https://youtu.be/KrrDu_ychTs?si=WXHJoaDvDDNsrYH2

You might be tempted to judge this movie by its poster, but don’t. You’ll get a jumpscare every time you see Willy, but it’s one of the best body swap movies Nollywood has given us so far.

Rewatch value: 8/10

It was good, and you’ll enjoy watching it. Even Willy and his Willy Wonka dress sense can’t stain this body of work’s white.

“A Green Fever”

Watch this only if you’ve been thinking of catching a flight to an unknown place. It’ll take you on a journey from confusion to understanding and confusion again.

Rewatch value: 7/10

The actors brought their A-game, but the open ending might make you pull your hair out in the first watch.

“It Blooms in June”

It’s cute and all, but there’s no way we could root for Mira and Ebisinde, please. Their chemistry was non-existent, and we’ve never hoped for a relationship to crash and fail the way we hoped for theirs to.

Rewatch value: 6/10

You might watch this again if you like coming-of-age stories and want to see a somewhat healthy father-daughter relationship on screen. Just get ready to squeeze your eyes shut at Ebisinde’s attempts at flirting.

Gather ’round hot babes, we’re back with the hottest party on this part of the planet and it’s all for you.

Get your HERtitude tickets now and come party with us.

“Hotel Labamba”

Yhemolee was the hypeman in a makeshift club in someone’s hotel room. In this house, we support women’s rights and wrongs. That being said, considering the plot holes, the poor attempts at humour, and the fact that there was nothing mysterious about this murder mystery, this might be one of Biodun Stephen’s big wrongs. But that’s okay because she’s done many rights before.

Rewatch value: 5/10

If you like displays of foolishness, then you can rewatch this to your heart’s content.

“Small Talk”

If you’re a fan of Nigerian comedy, then you’ll love this. At least, ten skitmakers feature in this film, so you’ll get what you came for: poorly timed jokes and forced humour.

Rewatch value: 4/10

If Instagram skits are your type of thing, you’re in for the ride of your life.

[ad]

“Japa”

The plot might be new for Nollywood, but that’s the only good thing about this film. Okay, that’s a half-truth. It was a little funny, and we did get to see Adesua Etomi on our screen again, after Gangs of Lagos.

Rewatch value: 3/10

The movie already wastes your time the first time around, rewatching it might just be an act of self-harm. Except you’re the biggest fan of Blossom Chukwujekwu and Adesua.

“The Bloom Boys”

If you can stick with this to the end, then you might just be God’s strongest soldier. Between the rehashed storyline and the moral lesson it tries to teach in the middle of all the chaos, there’s nothing special about this. Except maybe Kemi getting revenge on her abusive partner. She ends up in jail, but she shows him shege first, and that’s the only thing we were there for.

Rewatch value: 1/10

They scammed us with the trailer. Things just happened throughout the movie. Timini is apparently a rapper, artist manager and Joseph the Dreamer. Half the other characters are annoying AF and doing as they wish, never minding the plot.

Chioma Munachi

March 14, 2024

Pop

Amazon Prime Video, Nollywood, ranked
On Thursday, January 18, 2024, news broke out that global streaming platform, Amazon Prime, is halting local content production in Africa, one year and four months after it launched.

Here’s what we know about the development that’s sparked a flurry of reactions from Nigerians who’ve come to love the streaming platform’s originals: Gangs of Lagos, Breath of Life, Last One Laughing and She Must Be Obeyed.

What’s happening?

According to Variety, Prime Video, the third largest streaming platform in Africa, is restructuring its business model and shifting focus to its European market. In an email to local staff, Barry Furlong, vice president of Prime’s EMEA division, said that the decision was made to help the business shift focus to areas with the highest impact.

“I have carefully evaluated our structure in the region and decided to make some adjustments to our operating model to rebalance and pivot our resources to focus on the areas that drive the highest impact and long-term success.”

Deadline reports that Gideon Khobane, director of Prime Video Africa, has exited his role, while Head of Originals for Africa and the Middle East, Ned Mitchell, and Director of Content Acquisition and Head WW Major Studio Licensing Strategy, Ayanna Ionian, have taken up new roles.

Other staff members in Sub-Saharan Africa have been informed that there will be job cuts after a consultation period that’s currently underway.

[ad]

Does this mean Prime Video will stop operating in Africa?

The streamer will continue to operate in the region. However, the restructuring might mean a complete halt on locally produced content from Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa.

What about projects that were underway?

Shows such as “LOL ZA”, “Ebuka Turns Up Africa” and Tiwa Savage’s “Water and Garri”, had been greenlit before this announcement was made. And they’re still on the slate.

In 2022, ace director, Jade Osiberu signed a three-year deal with the streaming platform to include production of original TV series and feature films. It’s unclear how many titles have been greenlit from the deal.

The streamer also signed a three-picture deal with Nigerian production house, Nemsia Films in 2022. The first title of the deal, Breath of Life, debuted on the streaming app in December 2023. After 30, the second title of the deal, and sequel to Before 30, has been approved and funded, while there’s little known about the third title expected from the deal.

A trail of multinational exits

Prime Video joins a number of multinationals that have packed up shop or been forced to restructure their position in the Nigerian market because of the unfavourable economy.

According to Digital TV research, Africa’s streaming market is projected to hit at least 18 million subscribers by 2029. Prime Video follows behind market leaders, Netflix and Showmax, with a subscriber count expected to hit 3.1m in 2029. In 2021, the streamer was estimated to have around 575k subscribers, which was projected to reach 1.9 million in 2026.

Like the streaming platform, pharmaceutical giant, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), announced its exit from Nigeria, after 51 years in business. Procter & Gamble (P&G) followed suit four months later when it announced its return to an import-only model. In March 2023, Unilever exited the home care and skin cleansing market in Nigeria for a more sustainable and profitable business model.

The shifting economic landscape continues to force multinationals to reconsider their investment position in the Nigerian market, raising questions about how harsh economic conditions impact the nation’s market attraction.

Check out this: 6 Sites to Download Nollywood Movies Legally

Adeyinka Odutuyo

January 19, 2024

Pop

Amazon Prime Video, Funny, Nigerians
Nollywood has come a long way since travelling theatres in the 1940s and the VHS cassettes of the 1990s. From Nollywood’s Netflix debut to breaking into ₦1 billion naira in sales, here are all the times Nollywood shattered glass ceilings in the last few years.

First Netflix original film and Oscar nomination

After 28 years in front of the screen, Genevieve Nnaji made her directorial debut with Lionheart, a film about a first daughter looking to save her father’s company and prove her worth. Netflix acquired and released it in 2019. The same year, Lionheart became the first Nollywood movie to be nominated for an Academy Award in the Best International Film category, until it was dropped because only ten minutes of it featured a foreign language (Igbo).

First Netflix original series

A remake of the 2003 Nollywood classic, Blood Sister, the mini-series made its way to Netflix as the first Nigerian original series on the platform. It hit the top 10 list in 30 countries and garnered a viewing of 11,070,000 hours and counting.

First Nigerian feature film to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival

In January 2023, Mami Wata began its journey at the world’s biggest indie film festival, Sundance Film Festival. The black and white fantasy thriller, directed by CJ Obasi and produced by Oge Obasi, has gone on to win the 2023 National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVB) Award for Best Nigerian Film at AMAA and 2023 Best Feature Film at the Mashariki African Film Festival. It’s also received an Oscar 2024 nomination for Best International Film.

First Nigerian Prime Video original

A storyline that mirrored the average Nigerian’s reality, love, and fight scenes that had us jumping in glee, you name it, Gangs of Lagos had it. Nollywood’s debut Prime Video original was written and directed by Jade Osiberu, starring Tobi Bakre, Adesua Etomi, Chike, Bimbo Ademoye and Tayo Faniran.

Top five on global Netflix

Editi Effiong’s revenge thriller, The Black Book, was released in September 2023 and hit Number 3 on Netflix’s global charts before the end of the year, with more than 20 million views worldwide. The film, which follows a father seeking justice for his son, gained 5.6 million views just 48 hours after its release, breaking Netflix’s Top 10 list in more than 69 countries.

Number 1 non-English film on Netflix

Directed by Moses Inwang, Blood Vessel follows six youths as they flee their towns as stowaways on a mysterious ship. The thriller is majorly in Ijaw and Niger-Delta pidgin, and it emerged number one on Netflix’s top 10 non-English titles chart, with over 8.8 million hours of viewing time and 4.4 million views.

The most streamed African original in Nigeria

After a two-year break, Chidi Mokeme returned to our screens with Shanty Town in January 2023. The Netflix original series not only had us in a chokehold for months, but it also went on to become the most streamed African original in Nigeria and the second most streamed across Africa.

The first film to gross ₦1 billion

One thing Funke Akindele will do is make a box office blockbuster. With her films already gracing the top 3 spots at the Nigerian box office, her only competition is herself.

A Tribe Called Judah made its way to cinemas on December 15, and seven days later, it hit ₦400m at the box office. Three weeks after its premiere, the movie grossed ₦1 billion in sales, becoming the first Nollywood film to achieve such success.

Chioma Munachi

January 5, 2024

Pop

Amazon Prime Video, Blockbusters, Cinema, netflix, Nollywood, Nollywood movies
It’s hard to scroll through the internet these days without seeing something about Gangs of Lagos. From clips of Chioma Akpotha’s viral monologue to screenshots of the bloody fight sequences, everyone is gushing about Jade Osiberu’s ambitious action project. Everyone, that is, except the Nigerian government.

Source: Prime Video Naija

Lagos State Vs. Gangs of Lagos

Barely a week after the Prime Video original premiered, the Lagos State government put out a statement accusing Gangs of Lagos of being “derogatory to our culture” and an attempt to “desecrate the revered heritage of the people of Lagos”.

Source: Prime Video Naija

The Lagos State government that famously unlooked and aired everyone who was attacked during the February 25 and March 18th elections of 2023 had time to make a statement dragging a Nollywood film?

Not the first time

Source: Greoh Studios

This isn’t the first time the Nigerian government has dragged a Nollywood film. Ironically, the last film to experience something like this was 2019’s Sugar Rush, which was also co-written and produced by Jade Osiberu. The film, which starred Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Bisola Aiyeola and Bimbo Ademoye as sisters who must deal with the numerous owners of the $800,000 they stole, was removed from Nigerian cinemas by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) because it portrayed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a “bad light”.

However, thanks to the #BringSugarRushBack social media campaign, the Censors Board caved, and the film returned to the cinema before making its way to Netflix.

Why is the Nigerian government so pressed and bothered by Nollywood all of a sudden?

One word: “accountability”.

For the longest time, Nollywood has focused on basic Nigerian issues: looking for love, hustle culture, a sprinkle of backstabbing and juju here and there. But now, the focus is turning towards the corridors of power and how the people and their deals affect the average Nigerian.

Source: Kemi Adetiba

Kemi Adetiba’s King of Boys is a typical example of a story that shifted the veil between Nigerians and politics through film. In the first act, we get to see how politicians use mob leaders to do their dirty work then frown when they ask for a crumb of power for themselves, especially when the said leader is a woman like Eniola Salami.

RECOMMENDED: Kemi Adetiba’s King Of Boys Is A Modern Classic, Here are 7 Reasons Why

King of Boy: The Return of the King delved even deeper into the drama behind the scenes of an election. The bodies, the kingmakers, the role religion plays and the family’s hoarding power for themselves; Kemi Adetiba went there. As realistic as the series was, the Nigerian government seemed unmoved.

To start off 2023, Netflix released Shanty Town, a limited series starring Ini Edo, Chidi Mokeme and Nse Ikpe-Etim. Shanty Town focused on a group of women navigating sex and organ trafficking, violence and intimidation in a fictional shanty town in Lagos.

Source: Netflix

While audiences praised Chidi Mokeme’s acting and debated Peter Okoye’s Femi Fernandez’s Igbo accent, we noticed slight similarities between the show’s antagonist, played by Richard Mofe Damijo, and a popular Nigerian presidential candidate.

Source: Twitter

Tell me you can see it too.

While the similarities between Shanty Town‘s antagonist and this political figure might be limited to their filas (Yoruba hats), Gangs of Lagos strikes an even deeper nerve with a political character hellbent on ruling Lagos state. The story is fictional, but the audience has done the math and found “x”.

RECOMMENDED: 20 Crazy Questions Everyone Who’s Seen “Shanty Town” is Asking

Nollywood isn’t the first to tackle politics, and it won’t be the last

Like new Nollywood, Hollywood AKA the gold standard of filmmaking, hasn’t shied away from holding its government and political structures accountable over the years.

Martin Scorcesse’s 2006 film, The Departed, unearthed corruption within the American police force and ended up with a Best Picture Oscar at the 2007 Academy Awards. Similarly, Aaron Sorkin’s 2020 film, The Trial of the Chicago 7, was a masterclass in dragging the American police force, judiciary and the FBI for their role in the unfair 1969 trial of seven defendants charged with conspiracy against the government. Most recently, 2021’s Judas and the Black Messiah, directed by Shaka King, showed how the FBI murdered African-American activist, Fred Hampton, in his sleep.

These Hollywood films premiered, showed at cinemas and walked away with awards despite flipping a middle finger at the American government. Regardless of their exaggerated storylines, they offered nuanced insight into political issues that affect people, making them relevant works of art. So why must Nollywood face a different battle?

We need films like Gangs of Lagos

Whether or not we liked the plot, films like Gangs of Lagos are important.

Source: Prime Video Naija

Although it’s hard to believe people in Isale Eko fight like they’re part of Vin Diesel’s Fast and Furious crew, there’s no denying the existence of countless Obalolas, Gifts and Ifys — people who don’t get to live for themselves. They fight other people’s political battles, sometimes with no idea how their actions will impact their communities in the long run. These are the people we see snatching ballot boxes during elections.

Films like Gangs of Lagos humanise Nigerians who live on the margin, reminding us of the puppeteers who create unfavourable conditions for Nigerians and then take advantage of the victims. If we allow the Nigerian politicians and government to silence creatives who hold up a mirror to their actions, we may never hold them accountable for their actions in the future.

ALSO READ: Chike on the Hardest Scene He Had to Shoot in “Gangs of Lagos”

GET YOUR TIX HERE

Conrad Johnson-Omodiagbe

April 14, 2023

Movies & TV, Pop

Amazon Prime Video, Gangs of Lagos, nigerian government, Nollywood
First, subscribe for Amazon Prime Video

The movie is dropping on the 7th of April, and you don’t want to be caught off-guard when it does. So, sign up for Amazon Prime Video in advance so you don’t miss it when it drops.

Cancel your Friday night plans

If you had plans with friends for Friday turn-up, cancel them. Instead, send them all an invite to come over to your place to watch the movie. If they don’t want to come, show them this teaser and they’ll drop everything else they have planned.

Make sure you have light

The last thing you want is for the power to go out in the middle of an epic fight in the movie. It’ll kill everyone’s vibe. So, make sure you have backup plans laid out in case of surprises. Look for fuel if you need to. Anything to make sure your watch party slaps.

Get some popcorn

It’s a whole movie experience, and it’ll be incomplete if you and your friends don’t have popcorn to go with it. So, make sure you have that ready ahead of time.

Or cook some food

Popcorn probably won’t do for a movie this hot. So, cook actual food for the people you’re having a watch party with.

Follow the conversation on the internet

People are going to be talking about it on the internet. In fact, they’re already doing so on Twitter with the hashtag #GangsOfLagosOnPrime. Make sure to join the conversation and drop your own two cents because, why not?

You can only rule people with fear and terror for so long… one day their eyes go open! 💪🏾🎥 pic.twitter.com/471MuuCBIU
— Mr Macaroni (@mrmacaronii) March 29, 2023

Ladies and gentlemen, our very own top action movie star! @tobibakre is killing the game right now! #GangsofLagosOnPrime

This movie is the one… This right here…🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/dAzjlM7YIt
— XL2LETTERS (@XL2LETTERS) March 28, 2023

Don’t share spoilers

There’ll be some annoying people who want to share spoilers by all means. Don’t be like them. Share the teaser instead so that other people can go watch the movie and enjoy it too.

Tune in and enjoy

Once you have everything set for your watch party, set a reminder to make sure you don’t miss it the second it comes out. Then, at the auspicious time of 7pm on the 7th of April, tune in and enjoy the movie with your friends. Tell us, is there a better way to spend the holiday?

Sheriff Alimi

April 3, 2023

Pop

Action, Amazon Prime Video, Gangs of Lagos, Movie
Gangs of Lagos builds on Prime Video’s commitment to invest in Nigeria and the Nollywood film industry, adding to the collection of Nollywood movies and series already available to stream, including Brotherhood, King of Thieves, Hey You!, Palava!, as well as Nigerian Original LOL: Last One Laughing Naija coming later this year

As well as Nigerian Originals and Nollywood titles, Prime Video offers customers a selection of popular global Amazon Originals and Exclusives like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, The Boys, and Riches, all for 2,300 NGN per month

$C:\Users\saraheh\Downloads\GALG_2023_KeyArt4CH_27x40_Comp 45_Final_en-US.tif$

CULVER CITY, California—March 20, 2023—Global streaming service Prime Video today announced its first African Original movie, Gangs of Lagos, will launch on April 7 in Nigeria, sub-Saharan Africa, and worldwide exclusively on Prime Video. From the acclaimed filmmaker, Jáde Osiberu, Gangs of Lagos is one of the most highly anticipated films to come out of the world’s second largest film industry, Nollywood, this year. Prime Video also revealed the key art with a teaser trailer, and character posters from the movie to follow.

Gangs of Lagos is a high-stakes, gritty, and hard-hitting action crime-thriller, with an authentic storyline centred on a group of childhood friends who each have to navigate destiny, growing up on the bustling streets and neighbourhood of Isale Eko, Lagos. It features elaborate set pieces, action scenes, and engaging dialogue, balanced by a high-octane pace and emotionally grounded story at its core. Starring Tobi Bakre, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Chike Osebuka, Chioma Chukwuka, and Iyabo Ojo, Gangs of Lagos is directed and produced by Jáde Osiberu.

“Gangs of Lagos is a unique story about family and friendship, against the action-packed backdrop and striking set pieces of the streets of Lagos,” said Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, head of Nigerian Originals, Prime Video. “As the first Nigerian Original to launch on Prime Video, Gangs of Lagos sets the tone and standard, with the authentically Nigerian storyline in a genre that is so popular around the globe, making it a movie for our audiences at home and abroad.”

“I’m thrilled to be introducing audiences to this epic storyline and A-List talent from Nigeria with the launch of Gangs of Lagos,” said Jáde Osiberu. “It’s a great opportunity to elevate Nigerian stories on a global scale with Prime Video.”

“At Prime Video, we are looking to work with original voices to create spectacular stories and events that audiences can connect with wherever they may be,” said Ned Mitchell, head of African and Middle East Originals, Prime Video. “Gangs of Lagos launching will truly be a global cultural moment that marks the beginning of a new era in storytelling, where audiences everywhere can see the full power of Nigerian and African voices and the depths of our continued commitment to the local TV and film industry.”

Gangs of Lagos builds on Prime Video’s commitment to deliver local and authentic African films and series to a global audience, including an exclusive overall deal with the director and producer of the movie, Jáde Osiberu and her production company Greoh Studios, who recently brought Prime Video customers the top-performing, crime-thriller, Brotherhood. As well as an exclusive commissioning slate deal with Nemsia Films, beginning with Breath of Life launching later this year. Prime Video is also the home of some of Nigeria’s biggest theatrical movies with exclusive licencing agreements with Inkblot Studios and Anthill Studios, bringing customers box-office hits King of Thieves, Hey You!, Palava!, as well as other TV series Beyond the Veil and Grind. As well as Prime Video’s Nigerian Original unscripted comedy series, LOL: Last One Laughing Naija, hosted by acclaimed comedian and all-around entertainer Basketmouth, launching later this year.

The Nigerian content joins Prime Video’s selection of global Amazon Original and Exclusive series and movies, such as The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, The Boys, Riches, and Coming 2 America.

To watch the selection of entertainment available on Prime Video in Nigeria, customers need to use their Prime Video or Amazon account and sign up to a Prime Video subscription for 2,300 NGN per month, after a free trial, by visiting www.PrimeVideo.com. Prime Video members can stream and download and watch anytime, anywhere through the Prime Video app on compatible mobile devices, tablets, Smart TVs, or online at PrimeVideo.com. Customers can also control the amount of data they use by selecting Good, Better, or Best streaming quality, or download on their mobile device for offline viewing later.

MTN customers can also sign up to a Prime Video Mobile Edition subscription for 800 NGN per month, and enjoy a 30-day free trial with 2.5GB of Prime Video data, courtesy of MTN at www.play.mtn.ng/primevideo. Customers with a Prime Video Mobile Edition subscription can stream and download the full Prime Video catalogue in standard definition, from their mobile, anytime on the Prime Video app.

About Prime Video – Nigeria

Prime Video offers customers a vast collection of TV shows and movies—all available to watch on practically any device:
- Included with Prime Video: Watch thousands of popular movies and TV shows, award-winning Amazon Originals and other exclusives, and more. Think global Amazon Original and Exclusive series such as The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, The Boys, The Terminal List, The Wheel of Time, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Riches, as well as critically acclaimed Amazon Original movies like Coming 2 America, The Tomorrow War, and exclusive Nollywood movies and TV series, such as Brotherhood, King of Thieves, Christmas in Miami, Hey You!, Superstar, Palava!, Progressive Tailors Club, Bad Comments, Badamasi, Beyond the Veil, Grind, and much more. All available at no additional cost as part of Prime Video, which is available in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
- Instant Access: Watch at home or on the go with your choice of hundreds of compatible devices. Stream from the web or using the Prime Video app on compatible smartphones, tablets, game consoles, or select smart TVs.
- Enhanced Experiences: Control how much data you use when streaming and downloading video by choosing between Good, Better and Best visual quality settings, all of which utilise Prime Video’s state of the art video compression technology to use less data without reducing visual quality. Save it for later with select mobile downloads for offline viewing. Make the most of every viewing with High Dynamic Range (HDR) compatible content. Go behind the scenes of your favourite movies and TV shows with exclusive X-Ray access, powered by IMDb.
- Personalized: Customers can browse the user interface in their own language and watch popular TV shows and movies with subtitles.
Partner

March 20, 2023

Announcements

Amazon Prime Video, Partner Content
If there’s one Nollywood movie that had everyone talking in 2022, it’s Brotherhood. The action thriller, which follows twin brothers (played by Falz and Tobi Bakre) on different sides of a massive heist, took over the cinemas in 2022, reminding us that Nollywood doesn’t have to make a rom-com to grab the audience’s attention.

With Brotherhood coming to Amazon Prime in 2023, I went digging for some cool random facts you probably don’t know about this banger of a film.

Brotherhood was the highest-grossing Nollywood film of 2022

In a year that big Hollywood movies like Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, The Woman King and Avatar: The Way of Water occupied Nigerian cinemas, Brotherhood still came out strong as the highest-grossing Nollywood film with ₦328.9M. As a loyal fan, is there anything for the boys? Just asking.

Brotherhood has the largest ensemble of BBNaija housemates in one film

Show me which other Nollywood film has five ex-Big Brother Naija housemates playing serious roles, not waka pass or cameos? From Brotherhood’s leading man, Tobi Bakre, to Dorathy Bachor, Dianne Russet, Boma Akpore and Seyi Awolowo, the film was packed with BBNaija star power. Ebuka should be proud of his people.

The writers of Brotherhood knew it was almost impossible to film in Nigeria

According to Abdul Tijani-Ahmed, who wrote the TV show Ricordi and co-wrote Brotherhood, he had a running joke with his co-writer, Jade Osiberu, that they’d write whatever worked for the story no matter how outrageous it sounded, and leave production to figure out how to shoot them. Fun fact: Jade was the film’s producer, so she was setting herself up. Luckily for the audience, they made that magic happen.

Brotherhood’s director is Ugandan

While many people assumed Jade Osiberu directed Brotherhood, the film was actually directed by a Ugandan filmmaker, Loukman Ali. Loukman is also responsible for The Girl in the Yellow Jumper, a gripping thriller anyone who liked Brotherhood should see ASAP.

This is the first time Falz is playing a non-comedic role

Falz speaking regular English without an exaggerated Yoruba accent? I’m here for it. While the rapper has proven himself as one of the funniest comedic actors of the moment with Jenifa’s Diaries, Quam’s Money and Chief Daddy, taking on Wale Adetula in Brotherhood marked the first time we’ve seen him play a serious role, no jokes. Hopefully, he takes on more roles like this for the culture.

READ: How to Make a Badass Nollywood Action Film, According to “Brotherhood” Scriptwriter, Abdul Tijani-Ahmed

Brotherhood is Jade Osiberu and Tobi Bakre’s second film together

Are Jade Osiberu and Tobi Bakre the Nigerian version of Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese? This and whether or not my soulmate has already married someone else are the two questions that keep me up at night. Before Brotherhood, Tobi and Jade worked on the 2019 action comedy Sugar Rush. They also have a third film, Gangs of Lagos, coming later in 2023.

OC Ukeje, is that you with dreadlocks?

We’ve seen OC Ukeje rock different looks and play complex roles before, but something about his character, Izra, stands out. Yes, it’s the dreadlocks (and maybe all the times I wanted to kill him myself while watching the film). This hair on OC is a major slay, and I’m here for it.

Brotherhood is the highest-grossing Nollywood action film of all time

Move over romantic comedies because action films might be coming for the Nollywood crown. Brotherhood currently occupies the sixth spot on the list of highest-grossing Nollywood films of all time, including The Wedding Party, Omo Ghetto: The Saga and Chief Daddy in the top five. Remember, this film literally came out months ago and is already this high up the list.

Brotherhood started showing in 14 African countries at the same time

It’s one thing to open your film in Nigerian cinemas, gauge the response and then start showing in Ghana or something. But when you’re big, you’re big — and Brotherhood was big. The film opened in 14 countries, a ballsy move mostly associated with big Hollywood franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe or Twilight.

ALSO READ: 20 Crazy Questions Everyone Who’s Seen “Shanty Town” is Asking

Coming to you next week

Conrad Johnson-Omodiagbe

January 27, 2023

Movies & TV, Pop

Amazon Prime Video, Brotherhood, falz, Jade Osiberu, Movies, Nollywood
In a stunning display of cutting-edge technology, Prime Video Nigeria wowed spectators over the weekend with the first-ever drone show in West Africa. Held at the Eko Atlantic City, the event saw hundreds of drones light up the sky in a dazzling display.

As one of the world’s leading online streaming services, Prime Video is showing Nigerians that they know how to put on a good show. With a vast selection of TV shows, movies, and documentaries, Prime Video offers something for everyone. And now, with their groundbreaking drone show, they’re making sure that Nigerians have a front row seat to the latest and greatest technology.

Prime Video went all out to provide fans in Nigeria the most incredible experience possible with the first-ever drone show in West Africa that saw hundreds of drones light up the sky. The Lord of the Rings universe’s symbol of power, the ring, was created by the drones.

The J.R.R. Tolkien-inspired television series is based on his books and is set in the fictitious Middle-earth. It follows a large cast of characters as they fight Sauron and his army of Orcs.

A fantastic series was appropriately concluded with the drone show. Fans have the chance to unite and express their appreciation for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

Watch The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power only on Prime Video.

Partner

October 18, 2022

Announcements

Amazon Prime Video, rings of power, sponsored
On September 2nd, 2022, Prime Video Nigeria celebrated the release of “The Rings of Power” with a series of watch parties featuring some of Nigeria’s biggest celebrities! Exclusive watch parties were held by Prime Video Nigeria at Eko Pearl in Victoria Island, Lagos, to spread the excitement.

The new Lord of the Rings series ‘The Rings of Power’ aired with two episodes on Prime Video in 240 countries and territories worldwide. The season premiere garnered more than 25 million viewers globally, making it the greatest debut ever on the streaming service.

The premiere of Amazon’s Original J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings prequel, The Rings of Power, was celebrated in style. Prime Video hosted a series of watch parties with some of Africa’s biggest names in Nigeria and South Africa. With multiple thematic rooms and fine dining; Top celebrity chefs like Chef Fregz, Chef Benedict, Chef Waltz, Z Kitchen, and Kewa’s Kitchen teamed up with Prime Video to curate amazing dining experiences, each host gathered their friends to experience the season premiere with them—making for an unforgettable night.

With Falz, Stephanie Coker, Timini, Tobi Bakre, The Geng & Real Warri Pikin as hosts in Nigeria, the watch parties were full of energy and excitement. As the hosts welcomed their guests to experience the season premiere, including Beverly Naya, Uti Nwachukwu, Ikechukwu, Idia Aisien, Bolanle Olukanni, Dorathy Bachor, and others. The night was filled with excitement and took on a new meaning as some of the guests were newly being introduced to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien.

It was really an exciting night for the guests. Good TV is always better with friends…and a little bit of extra flair!

Watch The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power only on Prime Video.

Partner

September 7, 2022

Announcements

Amazon Prime Video, rings of power, sponsored
After months of praying and fasting, global streamer, Amazon Prime Video, has announced that it’ll finally launch in Nigeria, diversifying our streaming content with new films and TV shows.

While streaming is nothing new to Nigerians, this move signifies growing worldwide interest in original Nigerian stories. Here are some reasons we’re excited about this announcement.

We finally see Gangs of Lagos with Adesua Etomi and Tobi Bakare

Somebody needs to tell director Jade Osiberu that the evil she has done is enough. After teasing us for over a year with behind-the-scenes content from her upcoming film, Gangs of Lagos, she’s finally agreed to release it on Prime Video.

Gangs of Lagos will be Prime Video’s first Nigerian original film, reuniting Adesua Etomi, Tobi Bakare and Bimbo Ademoye one more time after they killed it in Sugar Rush. The action thriller follows three friends trying to navigate life in Isale Eko, Lagos.

Freedom from VPN

VPN is a trigger word after last year’s Twitter ban. But with Prime Video launching in Nigeria, we can finally free VPN before our phone batteries turn to shit.

The Nigerian version of Last One Laughing with Basketmouth

Imagine a show where comedians try to make each other laugh, and each person who laughs gets evicted, with the last comedian standing walking away with a hot cash prize.

This is the vibe Last One Laughing with Basketmouth will have, and we’re ready for Prime Video to inject this show into our veins. Please and thank you.

RECOMMENDED: We Finally Found Nollywood Romcoms NOT Set in Lagos

Diverse content

No matter how much you like rice, at some point, you’ll get tired if you eat it every day. And that’s precisely how we feel about streaming.

The arrival of a new streamer means we get access to fresh Nollywood content from a different perspective and who knows, maybe a little competition is what we need to move past mediocre content. #NoShade

We can see movies we missed at the cinema

Capitalism — and life in general — means we don’t always have time to see every Nollywood movie that makes it to the cinema. But now, from the comfort of our couch or mobile phones, we can catch up on blockbusters like Superstar, King of Thieves and Badamosi.

Another platform for small, independent films

If there’s anything we can learn from the success of For Maria: Ebun Pataki, it’s that Nigerians are constantly searching for gripping stories beyond the popular romantic comedies that clog our screens week in, week out.

Having another streamer means young filmmakers with innovative ideas can get their films to large audiences without having to go through the costly cinema route. Talk about things we’d love to see.

ALSO READ: How Damilola Orimogunje and Meg Otanwa Made “For Maria”, a Nollywood Game Changer

Conrad Johnson-Omodiagbe

August 5, 2022

Pop

Amazon Prime Video, Jade Osiberu, Nollywood