Two of the most exciting films to come out of Nollywood in recent times are showing in cinemas this weekend. The Ghost and the House of Truth premiered at the AFRIFF (African International Film Festival) on the 15th of November to a number of positive reviews. The film won three awards at the festival – “Best Actress” (Kate Henshaw) “Best Director” (Akin Omotoso) “Best Nigerian Film” (The Ghost and The House of Truth). Living in Bondage: Breaking Free has been showing in cinemas for two weeks.
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Living in Bondage: Breaking Free
In 1992, Kenneth Nnebue, Chris Obi Rapu and Okechukwu Ogunjiofor wrote and produced a film that would go on to make history as the first commercially successful Nollywood film. The film cost N150,000 to make, and each copy of the film was sold for about N300. Living in Bondage ended up being so popular in its day, they sold over 750,000 copies and made a small fortune. The film revealed filmmaking as a lucrative business venture and sparked a frenzy. It became the catalyst of an industry and a home video production boom in Nigeria that was later christened Nollywood.
When it came to light that Ramsey Nouah was producing a sequel to Living in Bondage, there was a lot of excitement. Anticipation continued to swell until the sequel began to seem like a matter of national pride. The sequel, Living in Bondage: Breaking Free, was released in cinemas on the 8th of November.
Living in Bondage: Breaking Free introduces us to Nnamdi Okeke, Andy Okeke’s son. The circumstances of the sequel are different but very similar to the 1992 original. Like his father, Nnamdi dreams of wealth and success. He meets an enigmatic business tycoon who gives him a taste of the good life and promises him everything he has ever dreamed of. Then Nnamdi is lured into a fraternity that demands a terrible price. Are men in the Okeke family doomed to repeat the same mistakes? Will Nnamdi take the bait that nearly destroyed his father’s life?
The cast of the film includes Swanky JKA, Munachi Abii, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Kenneth Okonkwo, Ramsey Nouah, Alexx Ekubo, Nancy Isime, and Bob Manuel-Udokwu, to name a few.
The Ghost and the House of Truth
The Ghost and the House of Truth is a film that tackles heavy subjects. If you’re looking for something that will provoke your thoughts, this is a good film to watch. In the film, a mother sets off on a determined search for her child when the little girl does not return home after school one day. Bola Ogun, the mother, is a counsellor who facilitates reconciliation between criminals and the victims of their crimes. The trauma of losing her daughter will be a challenge to her ideas about forgiveness.
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The Ghost and the House of Truth offers insight into the desperation and wickedness that accompanies poverty, and the consequences of poor social regulation. Kate Henshaw appears in this film as a grim and dogged police investigator. Other members of the cast include Susan Wokoma (Bola Ogun), Kate Henshaw, Fabian Oloyede, Kemi ‘Lala’ Akindoju, Uzo Ozimkpa, Toyin Oshinaike, Seun Ajayi, Tope Tedela, Chioma ‘Chigurl’ Omeruah, Keira Heywatch and Oludara Egerton – Shyngle.
The film was produced by Ego Boyo and directed by Akin Omotoso. Omotoso is an accomplished filmmaker and a profound storyteller. His body of work has received both national and international recognition. Ego Boyo is an Old Nollywood darling. She earned a place in Nigerian TV history with Ann Haastrope; the character she played on a show called Checkmate in the ’90s.
Sources:
Business Day NG
The Nation Online NG
Featured Image Source: Pulse NG
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