Some Interesting Nollywood movies has been selected for Toronto International Film Festival 2016 (TIFF), the organisation also chose Lagos for its “City To City” spotlight. 8 great movies including; The Wedding Party, 93 days, The Arbitration, Okafor’s Law, 76, Green White Green, Just Not Marriedand Taxi Driver will premiere at the international film festival.
The well selected films showcases intresting and improved new works by contemporary directors living and working in one of the world’s biggest film industries. It’s a huge opportunity for Nollywood to showcase the Nigerian movie industry as a fast-growing sector in the economy.
“Vital, complex and inspiring, Lagos is entirely unique. The city of Fela Kuti’s music has also given birth to one of the world’s most vibrant film industries. The 1,000 low-budget features ‘Nollywood’ produces each year generate about $1-billion in the box office. Now, from that commercial hotbed, a new generation of filmmakers is emerging to both advance and challenge Nollywood. Bigger budgets, greater artistic ambition – the new cinema of Lagos is bold, exciting, and ready to take its place on the international stage. We’re excited to share the creativity of this remarkable city’s filmmakers with TIFF audiences in September.”
Said the festival artistic director Cameron Bailey earlier this year in Lagos, Nigeria.
Watch the Trailer of the 8 Movies
Selected to Showcase at the Festival
1. The Wedding Party
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8XaN1DtI7E
Written by playwright Tosin Otudeko and Kemi Adetiba, ‘The Wedding Party’ is the story of Dunni Coker (Adesua Etomi), a 24-year-old art gallery owner and only daughter of her parents about to marry the love of her life, IT entrepreneur Dozie (Banky W). The couple took a vow of chastity and is looking forward to a ground-breaking first night together as a married couple. Ali Babaand Sola Sobowale play the role of Dunni’s parents while Iretiola Doyle andRichard Mofe-Damijo play Dozie’s parents. Other notable names in the stellar cast include Zainab Balogun, AY, Beverly Naya, EmmaOhMaGod, Lepacious Bose, Somkele Idhalama, Daniella Brown, Ikechukwu Onunaku, Ayo Makun, Enyinna Nwigwe, Kunle Idowu, Sambasa Nzeribe, Hafiz Oyetoro amongst others.
2. 93 Days
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPeNgs6bMkY
Bimbo Akintola, Danny Glover and TIFF Rising Star Somkele Iyamah-Idhalamastar in director Steve Gukas’ riveting real-life thriller about courageous health-care workers in Lagos battling the Ebola outbreak of 2014.
3. Taxi Driver (Oko Ashewo)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcTQ61ykHgc
A small-town mechanic turned chauffeur for the mob gets caught up in the troubles of a beautiful sex worker, in this Scorsese-meets-Nollywood crime comedy that transforms the fast-paced and vibrant city of Lagos into an expressionistic film noir metropolis. Directed by Daniel Emeke Oriahi, the movie stars Femi Jacobs, Ijeoma Grace Agu, Odunlade Adekola and Afeez (Saka) Oyetoro.
4. 76
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuWL33z7brM
Nollywood superstars Ramsey Nouah, Rita Dominic, and Chidi Mokemeheadline this gripping drama set against the backdrop of the attempted 1976 military coup against the government of General Murtala Mohammed.
5. The Arbitration
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96a_agrtfnU
‘The Arbitration’ tells the story of Gbenga (O.C Ukeje) and his employeeDara (Adesua Etomi) who had an affair. After the affair ended and Dara left the company, she sued Gbenga and accused him of rape. An Arbitration panel was constituted to find out the truth. The upcoming movie also stars Nollywood actors like Sola Fosudo, Ireti Doyle, Somkele Iyamah, Beverly Naya, Gregory Ojefua and more.
6. Okafor’s Law
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuWaXpUz6os
A slick serial seducer bets his friends that he can bed three old flames in six weeks, in this risqué comedy from the director of the smash hit Wives on Strike, Omoni Oboli. The movie also casts Blossom Chukwujekwu, Ufuoma McDermott, Toyin Aimakhu, Richard Mofe Damijo, Ken Erics, Gabriel Afolayan, Halima Abubakar, Mary Lazarus, Yvonne Jegede, Betty Irabor, Uche Nnaji and more.
7. Green White Green
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJ_Eizv2JUY
A group of young bohemian artists hang out and search for direction in their lives in the stagnant months leading up to the beginning of their university studies, in this richly textured and frequently funny look at Lagos’ new generation. The movie stars Ifeanyi Dike, Jamal Ibrahim, Samuel Robinson, Crystabel Goddy, Okey Uzeoshi, Bimbo Manuel, Eric Didie, Donatus Ekwuazi, Donald Jonah, Meg Otanwa, Abubakar Yakubu, Dabis Christopher, Omoye Uzamere
8. Just Not Married
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5tKbF9z0Vs
In this charming caper comedy, a bright but broke undergrad striving to escape the slums gets in over his head when his modest criminal enterprise goes a bit too far. Directed by Uduak-Obong Patrick, the movie stars Judith Audu, Stan Nze, Rotimi Salami, Roland Obutu, Brutus Richard.
