The upcoming films include Oloture, To Kill a Monkey, War: Wrath and Revenge, Aníkúlápó, The Black Book, Blood Vessel, and Ijogbon.
By Hope Ibiale
Netflix has continued strengthening its partnership with Nollywood as it announces seven soon-to-be-released films and series. The announcement came after the ‘Lights, Camera… Naija!’ event, and was followed by the unveiling of the upcoming titles and a fresh slate of film posters. The upcoming films include Oloture, To Kill a Monkey, War: Wrath and Revenge, Aníkúlápó, The Black Book, Blood Vessel, and Ijogbon.
On the upcoming projects, Netflix’s vice president of content in the Middle East and Africa, Ben Amadasun, said, “We are fortunate to bring incredible projects from some of Nigeria’s most prolific creators. Collaborating with them has enabled us to showcase Nigeria’s immense storytelling talent and creativity and make Netflix the home of the best Nigerian stories for our audience in Nigeria and around the world.”
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Initially released in 2019, Kenneth Gyang’s Oloture is set to return to Netflix as a series. The series will follow Oloture (Sharon Ooja), as she continues her work as an undercover journalist. Joined by Beverly Osu, Stan Nze, Patrick Doyle, Omoni Oboli, Bucci Franklin, Bukola Oladipupo, Daniel Etim Effiong, and Ikechukwu Onunaku, the anticipated series will take viewers on a journey through the underbelly of human trafficking.
Written and directed by Kemi Adetiba, To Kill a Monkey, a crime thriller series, joins the Nigerian films coming to Netflix. The series will star William Benson, Bucci Franklin, Ireti Doyle, Dami Adegbite, Chidi Mokeme, and many others.
From the spin-off from Ebonylife productions’ Sons of the Caliphate comes Wrath and Revenge. This series will star Mofe Duncan, Rahama Sadau, Ayoola Ayolola, Theresa Edem, Patrick Doyle, Yakubu Mohammed, Ifeanyi Kalu, Bikiya Graham Douglas, Daniel Okosun, Maikudi “Cashman,” Mickey Odeh, Sophia Muhammed, Uzee Usman, Padita Agu and Ahide Adum.
Kunle Afolayon’s Aníkúlápó will make a refreshing return to Netflix as a four-part sequel. Its previous cast – Sola Sobowale, Kunle Remi, and Bimbo Ademoye – will return alongside a new cast, including Lateef Adedimeji, Gabriel Afolayan, Uzee Uthman, Owobo Ogunde, and Oyinda Sanni.
The Black Book tells the story of a man seeking justice for his son after he is murdered by a group of corrupt police officers. Directed and produced by Editi Effiong and Kemi Lala Akindoju, the film features a star-studded cast: Richard Mofe Damijo, Ade Laoye, Sam Dede, Alex Usifo Omiagbo, Olumide Oworu, Shaffy Bello, Ireti Doyle, Taiwo Ajayi Lycett, Ikechukwu Onunaku, Patrick Doyle, Bimbo Manuel, Femi Branch, Denola Grey, Kelechi Udegbe and Nobert Young. The Black Book will begin streaming on September 22.
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Blood Vessel tells the story of six friends who plot to escape their town’s unrest by stowing away in a ship bound for South America. The film is directed by Moses Inwang and produced by Agozie Ugwu, Arafat Bello-Osagie & Roxanne Adekunle-Wright. The cast includes David Ezekiel, Adaobi Dibor, and Jide Kene Achufusi.
Ijogbon is a coming-of-age adventure film that follows the story of four friends from a small village in south-western Nigeria who discover diamonds that causes an upheaval in their lives. The cast features Ruby Akubueze, Kayode Ojuolape, Oluwaseyi Ebiesuwa, Fawaz Aina, Yemi Solade, Gabriel Afolayan, and Bimbo Manuel.
(This article was updated to reflect the release date of The Black Book)