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Living In Bondage, Bling Lagosians And Other Movies That Shaped Nollywood In 2019

2018 brought us the likes of King of Boys, Merry Men, New Money and Lion Heart, amongst others.


 

 

2018 brought us the likes of King of Boys, Merry Men, New Money and Lion Heart, amongst others.

2019 on the other hand, has arguably been a far quieter year in movies for the Nigerian film Industry.

While the industry continues to churn out movies, up its game in terms of quality and consequently, global appeal, it still appears as though there was less publicity for most of the top movies of the year compared to years prior.

Channels TV’s Entertainment News, has, however, been able to pull up a list of movies that shaped the year.

From box office hits, to movies that people generally loved according to Google stats, here’s our top 10 movies for 2019 (by month).

Read Also: From Rema To Fireboy DML: Top Showbiz Expectations For 2020

Light In The Dark

 

The challenges of life threaten to tear a couple’s marriage apart. But they struggle to seek the light that only true love can bring.

Starring veteran actors, Joke Silva, Rita Dominic, Ngozi Nwosu and Kalu Ikeagwu, the movie is centered on themes of love, betrayal and tribalism.

Directed by Ekene Mekwunye, it was released in January.

 

Nimbe

The movie tells the story of a teenager suffering from parental negligence, constantly being bullied by his peers but finds consolation, love and relevance in a street gang he is introduced to by an older neighbour who he meets by chance.

In this company, he is introduced to the dangerous world of drugs, hooliganism and thuggery where he experiences the accompanying challenges and consequences prevalent of such a life.

Starring Toyin Abraham, Chimezie Imo, Rachael Okonkwo and Doyin Abiola, the movie addresses issues associated with drug abuse, prostitution, cultism, some of the causes, and how to identify and avoid them.

It was directed by Tope Alake and released in March 2019.

 

Gold Statue

Starring Gabriel Afolayan and veteran actors, Sola Sobowale, Richard Mofe Damijo and Nobert Young, the movie tells a story of two young men, who try to locate a “Gold Statue,” which may have been a deity inherited by their generation.

After discovering that the statue is buried somewhere in a prison in Ilesha, Osun State, one of them decides to risk everything and end up in jail.

Produced by Tade Ogidan, and released in May 2019, the movie bagged several nominations at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.

 

Mokalik (Mechanic)

Directed by Kunle Afolayan, Mokalik tells the story of an 11-year-old boy who, although from a rich home, his life takes a different turn when he is sent to work as an apprentice at a mechanic workshop far from his home in the suburbs.

The comic-drama released in May features Femi Adebayo, Ayo Adesanya and Singer, Simi, amongst others.

It was also nominated for the Durban International Film Festival 2019.

 

Bling Lagosians

So we all know that Lagosians are generally known to love to party hard and it is no different for the Holloways.

A wealthy Lagos family, their mother Mopelola, is about to celebrate her 51st birthday party and she is bent on having a lavish celebration which could become the year’s biggest society event.

But the buzz about the party compels the Asset Management Corporation to foreclose on ST. IVES, the family business.

Drama ensues as Akin Holloway (her husband) makes efforts to cancel the party and maintain a low profile to get them off the radar and also save their business.

Released in June 2019, the Bolanle Austen-Peters film features Elvina Ibru, Toyin Aiyemakun, Osas Ighodalo among others.

 

Love and War

Imagine a couple running against each other in an election, weird right?

Well, that was the crux of the movie, Love and War, starring Richard Mofe Damijo and Omoni Oboli (Mr and Mrs Philips) who ran against each other for the position of governor in the same state.

The comedy-drama was released in September.

 

Kasanova

This romantic comedy is about a single dad who falls in love with the mother of his son’s crush. It is a story that highlights the importance of family, friendship and love.

Directed by Oluseyi Amuwa, the movie was released in September.

It features Iretiola Doyle, Toyin Abraham, Ruby Akubueze and Alvin Abayomi, among others.

 

Farming

The movie tells a story of a young Nigerian boy, ‘farmed out’ by his parents to a white British family with hopes of a better future.

A directorial debut by British-Nigerian actor, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Farming depicts the struggles of the young teenager, struggling with an identity crisis and eventually finding his place in life.

It was very surreal, very cathartic, at times very emotional but ultimately it was like the fruition of a vision that I had carried for so many years,” Akinnuoye-Agbaje had told Channels Television in an interview.

The film released in October features Genevieve Nnaji, Kate Beckinsale, Damson Idris, among others.

 

The Ghost and The House of Truth

A dedicated counsellor, Bola Ogun, facilitates reconciliation sessions between convicts and victims of their crimes.

But when her own daughter goes missing, her belief in forgiveness is tested.
The movie features Susan Wokoma, Kate Henshaw, Tope Tedela, among others.

Directed by Akin Omotoso, it was released in November and has been nominated for the Urban World Film Festival.

 

Living In Bondage: Breaking Free

If you watched Living in Bondage in the 90’s, then chances are, you might be excited to see how the film was re-enacted nearly 27 years after.

Living in Bondage: Breaking Free tells the story of an ambitious young man, Nnamdi Okeke, who, like everyone else, wants more out of life.

However, he can’t afford the kind of life he wants with his current income and an encounter with Chief Ibaka, a family friend with a notoriously dark past opens the door to his dream life.

It all comes at a great price, that could change his life forever.

Within three weeks of its release in November, the Ramsey Nouah film became a huge box office success grossing over 100 million.

It also became the highest-grossing Nigerian film in 2019 surpassing the record set by Bling Lagosians.

The film is also ranked eighth in the overall list of highest-grossing films in Nigeria.