Film enthusiasts and industry insiders gathered at FilmOne Entertainment’s Year-end Exhibitor Showcase on Friday, October 27, 2023, to catch a glimpse of what promises to be a blockbuster in Nollywood. Funke Akindele and Adeoluwa Owu unveiled their new film, ‘A Tribe Called Judah,’ to a captivated audience, showcasing a tantalising trailer and a five-minute preview of the film.
The event was graced by the presence of the film’s directors, Funke Akindele and Adeoluwa Owu, leading actors, including Timini Egbuson and Olamide Oworu, and some of the cast members. The attendees, including exhibitors, members of the press, and film executives, were treated to a sneak peek of the movie, leaving them eager for more.
Notably, Nollywood veteran filmmaker and producer Zeb Ejiro had high praise for Funke Akindele, calling her ‘a serial record breaker.’ Ejiro couldn’t help but commend Akindele for her remarkable achievement with her 2022 film ‘Battle On Buka Street,’ which became the highest-grossing Nigerian film of all time at the box office, raking in an impressive ₦668 million over 17 weeks. This feat dethroned Akindele’s own 2020 hit, ‘Omo Ghetto: The Saga,’ which had held the title with ₦636 million in 16 weeks. Ejiro remarked, “I’ll be everywhere to talk about this film because of this short cut I’ve seen now; you shouldn’t have shown us; I’m really angry now because I was relaxing to see the full movie to the end.”
‘A Tribe Called Judah:’ Cast
‘A Tribe Called Judah’ is an enthralling story centred around a family of boys who resort to robbing a mall to fund their ailing mother’s medical treatment. However, their plans take a dramatic turn when they encounter armed robbers at the scene.
Funke Akindele plays the role of Jedidah Judah, the mother of five boys, each born to a different father. The five boys are portrayed by Timini Egbuson as Pere Judah, Jidekene Achufusi as Emeka Judah, Uzee Usman as Adamu Judah, Tobi Makinde as Shina Judah, and Olumide Oworu as Ejiro Judah.
The ensemble cast includes talented actors and actresses like Genoveva Umeh, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Ebele Okaro, Uzor Arukwe, Yvonne Jegede, Ibrahim Yekini, Paschaline Alex, Nosa Rex, Greg Ojefua, Boma Akpore, Fathia Balogun, Olayode Juliana, and Etinosa Idemudia.
Moses Babatope Praises Funke Akindele
During the event’s Q&A session, Funke Akindele revealed that the film’s title was inspired by the now-defunct American hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest.
Olumide Oworu, who plays a significant role in the movie, described his performance as the highlight of his career.
Moses Babatope, Group Deputy Managing Director of The Filmhouse Group and Managing Director of FilmOne Entertainment, lauded Funke Akindele for her unwavering support for cinema. He commended her decision to prioritise theatrical release over direct streaming, stating, “There was an opportunity to go directly to streaming, but she chose for the movie to go to the cinemas first.”
Akindele emphasised that ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ was created to celebrate single mothers, who are often unjustly criticised. Drawing from her own experiences being raised by her late mother, she wrote the film as a tribute to her.
‘A Tribe Called Judah’ is scheduled to hit cinemas on December 15, 2023, and it’s co-directed by Funke Akindele and Adeoluwa Owu, promising an exciting cinematic experience for Nollywood fans.
In addition to ‘A Tribe Called Judah,’ Adeoluwa Owu also has ‘Adire’ on the horizon. ‘Adire’ is a film about a retired prostitute embarking on a new life in a small town, starring Kehinde Bankole, and it’s set to grace the big screen on November 3, 2023. This film is FilmOne Studios’ first independent production.
Lastly, Funke Akindele’s five-part limited series, ‘SHE Must Be Obeyed,’ continues to entertain audiences on Prime Video. The series offers a glimpse into the lives of three successful music stars, revealing their cutthroat rivalries and backstabbing activities as they vie for the top spot in the industry. Akindele plays the lead role as SHE in this gripping series.
