LAGOS – The highly anticipated romance film “Big Love,” written and directed by Biodun Stephen and produced by Inkblot Productions, has made a significant impact at the Nigerian box office with its impressive opening weekend performance. The film, which was released on June 28, managed to garner ₦12,029,450 in its opening weekend, grossing a total of ₦19,675,950 following a strong pre-screening ticket sale.
Starring a talented ensemble cast, “Big Love” captivated audiences with its heartfelt storytelling and exceptional performances. The cast includes Timini Egbuson, Bimbo Ademoye, Jaiye Kuti, Shaffy Bello, Deza the Great, Kalu Ikeagwu, Seyi Awolowo, and Teniola Aladese, who brought authenticity and depth to their respective roles.
The success of “Big Love” can be attributed, in part, to Inkblot Productions’ strategic marketing efforts leading up to its release. The production company actively engaged audiences on digital media platforms by hosting a contest to choose the title logo for the poster design and sharing numerous teasers. Additionally, they conducted fun interviews with key cast members, generating buzz and anticipation for the film.
Naz Onuzo, co-founder of Inkblot Productions, expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support and love the film has received. On his Instagram account, he stated, “My people aren’t having it. Advanced screening counts. But seriously, Zulumoke Oyibo, Damola Ademola, and I, and everyone at Inkblot, are grateful for your support and love. Thanks for going out to see ‘Big Love’.”
Biodun Stephen, the talented writer and director behind “Big Love,” collaborated closely with Inkblot Productions to bring this beautiful film to life. Onuzo expressed his appreciation, saying, “Biodun Stephen, thanks for trusting us to work with you to bring this beautiful film to life, working with you and your amazing crew.”
In stark contrast, another Nigerian film titled “Almajiri” struggled to gain traction at the box office despite critical acclaim. The film, which delves into the hardships faced by Almajiri children in Northern Nigeria, had a lackluster opening weekend, grossing only ₦5,425,050. As of its second weekend, “Almajiri” has reached a total gross box office (GBO) of ₦13,594,450, showing slow progress.
Analysts believe that the film’s subdued box office performance can be attributed to the absence of significant pre-release marketing efforts, especially in the southern region of Nigeria. According to the Nigerian Box Office Yearbook 2022, the southern region accounted for the majority of Nigeria’s ₦6.9 billion GBO in 2022, with audiences primarily composed of the Igbo and Yoruba communities. Given that “Almajiri” focuses on the experiences of the Almajiri children in Northern Nigeria and features Hausa dialogue, effectively engaging the southern audience would have required substantial marketing efforts. Unfortunately, the film’s official trailer and character posters were only released the day before its premiere, leaving little time for buzz to build.
Industry insiders are hopeful that the production team behind “Almajiri” will take steps to rectify the lack of marketing and employ guerrilla marketing tactics to generate excitement among moviegoers. A strong second-week performance is crucial for “Almajiri” to gain momentum and increase its box office numbers.
“Big Love” serves as a testament to the power of strategic marketing and audience engagement, as it managed to captivate audiences and exceed expectations with its impressive box office results. With its heartwarming story and exceptional production quality, the film continues to draw crowds and establish itself as a must-watch in Nigerian cinema.
As both films continue their box office journeys, the Nigerian film industry eagerly awaits the next wave of releases, hoping to replicate the success of “Big Love” and bring more captivating stories to the silver screen.
