The Nigerian film industry also known as nollywood has been functioning for decades and the dedication of both movie producers and actors in the industry has made it the largest film industry in the whole of the African continent without a rival – simply the giant of African movies industry. Though the industry still faces serious issues of copyright and lack of proper means of distribution, it was said to have been worth over $5 billion in 2014, thereby making it third largest film industry in the world after Hollywood and Bollywood respectively.
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Although the Nigerian film industry suffered some loses in 2017 as it lost a few prominent actors such as Victor Eze, Moji Olaiya, and Adebayo Faleti to the cold hands death, the year never the less ended up being an amazing one for the industry as it was able to dish out films like Omugwo, The Wedding Party 2: Destination Dubai, as well a few others that ended up getting sold out at cinemas across the country. Nollywood produced dozens of critically acclaimed movies in 2017. And they are well-received by Nigerian audiences and African movie lovers. Here is our pick of the best nollywood movies of 2017.
Omugwo
This is a popular child rite duty among the Igbo people which is carried out by Igbo mothers for their children in order to relieve their children from the burden and pressures of child birth. In this film, “Omotunde” a civil engineer and her husband “Raymond” an on air presenter who just had their child both had their parents from different cultures move to their home so they both can relieve their children of the burdens of child birth. But instead of bringing some peace into the homes of their children, they caused more comical troubles for their children as both women’s traditional background had them quarreling so very often.
The Wedding Party 2: Destination Dubai
The sequel to last year’s popular movie “The Wedding Party” came in with a whole new drama as our favorite couple “Dozie” and “Dunni” are expecting their first and we are not so sure if Dozie is ready to let go of his so much loved bachelor lifestyle for good. While “Obianuju” and “Felix” are working on getting their relationship back on track, “Nonso” on the other hand got himself into a whole new drama as he mistakenly proposes to “Deirdre” whom he’s been having a hot romance with since the wedding at London, during a dinner date.
American Driver
This comedy film directed by Moses Inwang shows how an American “Driver Jack Curry” applies to drive Nigerian celebrities to the annual GIAMA Awards in an attempt to impress his boss “Kate”. The movie cast which consisted of popular Nigerian actors like Jim Iyke, Nadia Buari as well as renowned Nigerian comedian “Ayo Makun“, won Best Comedy at The People’s Film Festival back in June 2017.
10 Days in Sun City
This movie was produced by Nigerian comedian Ayo Makun who also starred in the film as “Akpos” and directed by South Africa based Nigerian film director. The movie which follows how Akpos invested his time, money and love in making his girlfriend “Bianca” a campus queen successful in her line of profession. Now that Bianca’s has successfully been crowned as queen in national beauty pageant with different endorsements, will the ever loyal Bianca continue being humble to the man behind her success or would she get carried away with the celebrity lifestyle while rolling with society’s most mighty personalities. While Bianca heads down on a trip to South Africa with Akpos, the owner of “Otawi” a cosmetics conglomerate which Bianca happens to be an ambassador for, “Otunba Ayoola Williams, aka ‘The Old Fox’ decides to head down to South Africa along with Bianca as he wants more than business relationship between himself and the beauty queen.
Banana Island Ghost
Director: Bodunrin Sasore. Cast: Damilola Adegbite, Saidi Balogun, Patrick Diabuah.
This film tells the tale of “Patrick” who finds himself dead after a ghastly accident and on realizing he would be going to heaven, he pleads unto God to give him a second chance to come back to life just so he can find his soulmate before leaving back for the beyond. The film was produced by BB Sasore and also starred Nigerian musician and comedian “Chigurl” who played the role of “Ijeoma”, Patrick’s difficult girlfriend.
Don’t Trust Friends
A pair of friends ‘Stella and Ibiwunmi’ who have been together for long gets their friendship broken when issues of trust arose as a result of jealousy and unfaithfulness. The movie features Yoruba movie actress Faithia Balogun, Chioma Chukwuka and others.
Celebrity Marriage
This comedy film produced by Uchenna Mbunabo tells the tale of celebrity relationships and marriages based on Nigerian actress “Toyin Abraham” a victim of domestic violence and fellow actress “Tonto Dike” a newly married wife who happens to be facing pressures on birthing a child for her spouse.
The Royal Hibiscus Hotel
Screened at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival, the movie simply shows how “Ope” a London chef struggles with her matchmaking mother who while trying to fetch her a spouse is also at the brink of selling thier family’s property “Royal Hibiscus Hotel”. She finds herself heartbroken when she found out the man she’s in love with “Deji” is the one purchasing their property.
Soul Gigolo
Starring Mike Ezuruonye and Faithia Balogun, this movie follows the lives of a couple from different cultures going through rib cracking rivalry in their everyday lives as a result of their traditional differences.
What Lies Within
A happily married woman and her pregnant sister in law finds themselves in crucial situation which won’t only have serious consequences on both their lives, but that of their loved ones as well. The movie starred a bunch of impressive casts some of which are Michelle Dede, Paul Utomi, popular Nigerian OAP and comedian Yaw alongside others.
Mysterious Royal Guest
A commoner rescues a royal princess to safety from a gang of notorious kidnappers and they both built an unbreakable bond between each other after the incident. But when the king finds out about their relationship together, he orders the commoner to come in contact his daughter ever again without the pair were inseparable.
Catch.er
When a successful career woman appears to have been found dead on her wedding anniversary, her husband turns out to be first person everyone attacks as the one responsible for the death of his loving wife. But through thorough investigation, the cops have found out that there’s a particular person who actually has ill feelings towards the deceased and might have been responsible for her death. The movie stars Alexx Ekubo, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Beverly Naya, Wofai Fada amongst others.
Slow Country
A teenage mother engages prostitution and drug trafficking business in attempt to provide her child with a better life. But sevens years after being in the shameful line of work, she decides to quit and start afresh, but her drug King Pin boss isn’t yet ready to let go of his favorite worker who generates him a fat income. The film stars A list African actors like Majid Michael, Ivie Okujaye, Sambasa Nzeribe amongst others and also won the Audience Choice Award at the Africa International Film Festival in 2016.
Wives on Strike: The Revolution
This follows a bunch of women who decides to come together in other tackle domestic violence which is rampant in their environs as a result of the death of a friend of theirs who got beaten to death by her husband. The movie features popular Yoruba actress Sola Sobowale, Chioma Chukwuka, Toyin Abraham amongst others.
Hakkunde
When a job opportunity presents itself to a long time unemployed graduate in Kaduna which is far away from his home in the city of Lagos, Akande decides to embark on a trip to Kaduna against his sister’s will in order to see what the job has in store for him. On arriving Kaduna, he finds himself being disappointed as the job wasn’t what he expected it to be. He’s left with the choice of either going back to Lagos city or humbly stay behind in Kaduna to endure what he’s been offered.
