Movie Review: “A Tribe Called Judah" (2023).
Welcome to the 1billion naira gang!
Producer: Funke Akindele.
Story: Funke Akindele.
Writers: Funke Akindele, Collins Okoh, Ishola Akinlabi.
Directors: Funke Akindele, Adeoluwa Owu.
Music: Tolu Obanro.
Editor: Valentine Chukwuma.
Cinematography: Barney Emordi.
Language: English, Pidgin, Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa.
A Tribe Called Judah is a star studded comedy, sprinkled with emotional and cringe worthy moments. Follow me in this post as we discover how a Nigerian story made the headlines.
Plot:
Jedidah Judah (Funke Akindele) is a well respected single mother of five yet with a traumatic and dysfunctional past of failed parenting and relationships. Each child of hers carries a unique story of her past; Emeka Judah (Jidekene Achufusi) her first child born to her first lover from the Southeastern part of Nigeria, Adamu Judah (Uzee Usman) her second child born to her lover from the Northern part, Shina “Shinene” Judah (Tobi Makinde) to her children’s lesson teacher/lover from the Southwest, Pere Judah(Timini Egbuson), and Ejiro Judah(Olumide Owuru) whom she made from a one night stand with a lover/drunkard.
Despite how each of these kids represents a piece of her past she regrets, she manages to keep herself sane (though not for long), with them all under the same roof. Shina is a tout, Pere is a petty thief and Ejiro last baby is a painter/artist hopelessly in love with Testimony (Genoveva Umeh). Jedidah, Emeka and Adamu are the sole breadwinners in this house, they all actually find a way to survive.
Tragedy struck when Jedidah is diagnosed of a failing kidney. Requiring dialysis 4 times weekly, at a cost the whole family cannot afford. Pere turns a new leaf, Shina too tries to support, everyone gets desperate, things get hot for the family. That’s when a perfect plan was setup to rob Emeka’s boss, Chigozie Onuoha(Uzor Arukwe), a dubious yet stingy furniture store owner who hides his laundered cash(dollars) in furniture (sofas).
Trouble ensued while activating their perfect plan and Emeka dies. The family cover their tracks yet find it hard to move on without their firstborn who demonstrated exemplary leadership. The movie ends with an escape from their town on a boat to start a new life with stolen funds.
Acting and Costumes
Most of the main acts in this movie shifted from their stereotype roles; Timini Egbuson from his regular lover boy mould to a typical Lagos petty thief who wants to live a good life, Olumide Owuru became the troublesome and stubborn last born child everyone wants to test their leadership on. I never knew Tobi Makinde could be that aggressive too, man was an alpha here. All showing the fluidity and acting prowess of these actors. Impressive casts, familiar faces and new cats too.
My admiration for Uzor Arukwe and Jidekene Achufusi doubled as I watched their A class acting. The little nuances, details and gestures and everything they spiced up their roles with. The costume for all acts was on point, but that of Chigozie Onuoha stood out for me; chairman was always dressed like a dubious, mischievous, high class igbo man that he is. Of course crowned with his overwhelmingly funny Igbotic accent.
The script is quite detailed, though lacking some key information, as little is known of the family surrounding neighbours and Shinene Shoes.
Sounds and Special effects
Every sound and song used for this movie was intentional as they help viewers segue from one emotion to another. Laughter, suspicion, pain etc all had sounds ranging from comic wraps and whacks to piano strings. Every sound communicated a meaning.
Lessons from the movie
- Family unit is the most basic unit. Five unique kids from five geopolitical zones of the country, yet all unite for the survival of their mother and their brotherhood. If five children from different geopolitical zones can unite to cause so much damage and harm, how much more will we do as a Nation?
- This movie in synonymity depicts a part of the life of the Samaritan woman in the Bible, having had five husbands in the past; how she was described and judged by her past until the Master brought hope and salvation.
- It also tells the story of the strength and struggles of single mothers especially those raising children in ghetto areas and generally tough places like Nigeria, boys that might later choose their own paths.
Overall the movie is a 9/10 for me and it is well accepted in the Nigerian society. Kudos to Funke Akindele and her team🥂
PS: What are your favourite scenes from this movie? Let me know in the comment section 🤗
You have a movie recommendation for me too? Let me know so I can bring more reviews to you.🤝🏾
