Author: Praise Okeoghene Vandeh

In the critically acclaimed film, With Difficulty Comes Ease, Uzoamaka Aniunoh embodies the role of Zainab, a recently widowed Muslim woman. She is stuck within the confines of her mother-in-law’s home and mandated to complete her Iddah (mourning period). Overwhelmed by financial difficulties and a secret pregnancy, a friendship becomes her ventilator. Uzoamaka Aniunoh, the face of two 2024 Nollywood films, is not new to the game. She was a recurring cast member on MTV’s Shuga and starred in Nigeria’s 2024 Oscars submission Mami Wata. Although she has been part of demanding films, none stretched her as much as the…

There are few known filmmakers from the North and even fewer female filmmakers. This small pool of moviemakers means less mainstream representation on screen for Northern people. Nadine Ibrahim, a Kaduna-born filmmaker, is committed to changing that with Beyond The Veil, one of the few Nollywood shows that casts an exciting gaze on the experiences of Northern women. The series is centered around five women. Their friendship stands as one of the main themes of the series. The exploration of female friendships, when done well, can quickly amass a cult following. The Issa Rae-led Insecure and Tracy Oliver’s Harlem are…

Every culture has myths that have been passed from one generation to another. Often stories of gods and legends with supernatural powers, the narratives explore themes like heroism, love, betrayal, and the eternal struggle between good and evil. These deities can be heroes like Babalú Ayé who is known to the Yorubas and Benin (West African country) people as the Healer god. They could also take the form of a villain. A perfect example is Sakpata, the Plague god. He is said to be the cousin of Babalú Ayé and is responsible for causing diseases. In the past, myths, (under…

Storytelling has been used to entertain, inspire and inform. This holy trinity is the ground on which storytelling is built and various films have harkened to this trinity. The popular Nollywood film Tom and Jerry featuring Osita Iheme and Chinedu Ikediezie on their mischievous adventures, Jade Osiberu’s Isoken refusing to bow to societal pressure, and Oloture’s focus on the human trafficking scene showcase these three pillars. Every story aims to have at least one of all these functions at heart. By doing this, they cause ripple effects. The preservation of time and history is one of the effects of a…

A lot of romcom fans will agree that the 90s-2000s was an exceptional era for the genre. Whether it was Anna’s “I’m just a girl standing in front of a boy asking him to love her” or Andie and Ben’s awful rendition of Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain”, we were there—eyes glued to the screen, stomachs exploding like fireworks. This era also saw the reign of chemistry-stricken pairings: Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. It was a time of epic romance, exchanging love mails and pure comedy, Jane’s ridiculous bridesmaid dresses. The perfect blend and we…