May 19, (THEWILL)- The African Magic Viewers Choice Awards, AMVCAs which celebrated and recognised outstanding achievements in television and film held on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at the Eko Hotel, Lagos, bringing the best cinema creators in Africa under one roof. The best African movies produced on the continent in 2023 were listed for recognition in different categories. While some went home with a few awards, others did not. IVORY UKONU shines the spotlight on these critically acclaimed movies that got celebrated and recognised
Mami Wata
Long before it received an award at the AMVCAs, ‘Mami Wata’ was already making waves on the international scene. The black-and-white fantasy thriller film written and directed by C.J. “Fiery” Obasi, based on West African folklore, is a co-production between Nigeria, France and the United Kingdom. The film premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. In October 2023, it was selected as the Nigerian entry for Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards by The Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC). It was nominated in the Best International Film category of the 39th Independent Spirit Awards and in the Outstanding International Motion Picture category of the 55th NAACP Image Awards. It however bagged one award at the AMVCA in the Best Makeup category.
Breath of Life
It is currently the most talked about movie based on the number of awards it carted home, and rightly so.  The movie by the trio of Eku Edewor, BB Sasore and Derin Adeyokunu, is a faith-based movie about Timi Johnson played by Wale Ojo who, for all intents and purposes, loses his religion after losing his family early in life to a local thug, leading to a series of tragic events that turn Timi into a recluse. Many years later he hires a houseboy, Elijah played by Chimezie Imo, and lets him into his home and the story follows how Elijah worms his way into Timi’s heart, changes Timi’s life and helps him to rediscover his faith and purpose.
For a faith-based movie, it is not the typical playbook. There is no singular verb when Jesus comes down and turns things around. It does not preach to its audience with bible verses; instead in the moments when they do show up, they are seamlessly integrated into the progression of the storyline. The movie not only won the Best Movie award at the AMVCA but also won in the Best Actor (Wale Ojo), Best Supporting Actress (Genevova Umeh), Best Supporting Actor (Ademola Adedoyin) and Best Director (BBSasore and Derin Adeyokunu) categories respectively. And what is more, a member of the cast, (Chimezie Imo) won the Trailblazer Award.
Over the Bridge
Just like ‘Mami Wata,’ ‘Over the Bridge’ will be making its international debut at the 31st edition of the New York African Film Festival (NYAFF), hosted by the Film Society of Lincoln Centre. Since its inception in 1993, the festival has been at the forefront of showcasing African and Diasporan filmmakers’ unique storytelling through the cinema. This year’s festival theme, ‘Convergence of Time,’ explores the intersection of historical and contemporary roles played by individuals representing Africa and its diaspora in the art world. ‘Over The Bridge’ tells the story of an investment banker with secrets whose life is turned upside down when his ethics are compromised over a controversial rail construction project. Although the movie was the highest nominated film in this year’s AMVCA with 12 nominations, it only won in two categories, the Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography categories.
Jagun Jagun
Nollywood actor, Femi Adebayo Salami elevated the art of epic Yoruba story telling with ‘Jagun Jagun,’ a historical drama set in an ancient Yoruba kingdom, featuring a mercenary warlord and a young warrior. A project of monumental undertaking, ‘Jagun Jagun’ tells the story of Warlord, Ogundiji who begins to feel threatened by the potentials of a young warrior, Gbotija, whose main aim is to avenge the death of his father. Ogundiji, a dictator who succeeded in snatching a lot of kingdoms for wrong leaders, soon became threatened by the arrival of the young warrior.  The movie won in the Best Indigenous Language Movie (West Africa) category and the Best Costume Design award category at the AMVCA.
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
A biographical film by Bolanle Austen-Peters,  it ironically won in the Best Writing in a movie category at the AMVCA despite the fact that it got premiered a day after the award ceremony and got released in cinemas five days after, on May 17th precisely.
The film follows the life story of the late Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, a renowned Nigerian educator, political campaigner, women’s rights activist and the mother of Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Ransome-Kuti. The movie explores her days at Abeokuta Grammar School, her marriage to Israel Ransome-Kuti and her revolutionary fight against colonialism and patriarchy through the creation of the Abeokuta’s Women’s Union.
The movie includes special appearances from her grandchildren, including Femi Kuti and Yeni Kuti who portrays her aunt Dolupo. Dotun Ransome Kuti plays his father Olikoye, while Kunle Ransome-Kuti takes on the role of his father, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Great-grandson Made Kuti also makes an appearance.
Nwunye Bekee
This docuseries created for Africa Magic focuses on the stories of Igbo men who are married to non-Nigerian women, shedding light on their love stories, cultural blends, and everyday challenges. These ‘Oyibo wives’ found a way to integrate their husbands’ culture into their lives and vice versa. They learn to speak the language, immerse themselves in history, adopt traditional attire, and relish the preparation of traditional meals. Although the love stories are sweet, intercultural relationships are not without their challenges. The documentary also shows the humorous side of these couples’ lives as non-Igbo-speaking partners attempt to speak in Igbo or translate Igbo words. This not only adds some good-natured fun but also makes their struggles more relatable. The docu series got a win as the Best Unscripted Mnet original.
Itura
Set in the colonial period, many years before the amalgamation of northern and southern Nigeria, this 260-part series is a refreshing cultural show with an incredible storyline about the fight for Ibaokuta’s throne. The show explores themes such as power, politics, love, money, betrayal etc. The series won in the Best Scripted series category at the AMVCA.
Blood Vessel
The drama thriller film by Charles Okpaleke, Arafat Bello-Osagie, Roxanne Adekunle-Wright, and Agozie Ugwu is set against the backdrop of the Niger Delta oil conflict. This perhaps explains the use of Ijaw language extensively in its dialogue, and includes an Ijaw language subtitle option as well, making it the first film on Netflix to do so. The movie which won in the Best Sound Design category at the AMVCA is about six young people fleeing a town devastated by oil pollution and political unrest, stow away on a ship laden with stolen crude oil and embark on a perilous journey across the Atlantic Ocean, not realizing the dangers that await them.
Ìrora Ìyá’
Produced by MNET for Africa Magic, Africa Magic, Ìrora Ìyá’ meaning Agony of Motherhood is a Yoruba series which follows the story of a teenage girl who got pregnant and fled home. In her bid to take care of herself and the baby, Morayo falls into the hands of an infant trafficker. The plot takes the audience on a rollercoaster of emotions and keeps viewers engrossed and on lookout for every episode. The series won in the Best Indigenous MNET original category.
The Black Blood
Produced by Editi Effiong, this crime thriller film starring veteran Nollywood actor, Richard Mofe Damijo aka RMD has a semblance to the American movie, John Wick, whose character and that of RMD, the protagonist and lead actor leans towards that of John Wick itself played by Keanu Reeves, a former hitman who is now drawn back into the criminal underworld he had abandoned. The movie which reportedly cost $1 million to produce starts with the kidnapping and killing of the husband and infant of a Nigerian minister who revealed some dark secrets of corruption in the ministry she heads. To cover their doings, the plotters of the killings, sort to pin the killing on an innocent son of Paul Edima played by RMD who part of was formerly this gang, but has since gone low and settled to serving the Lord as a clergy. Following the killing of his innocent son, RMD seeks to avenge his death and goes after the mastermind, who also doubles as his former boss, General Issa played by Alex Usifo. Paul wins the fight and retrieves the black book.  The movie won in the Best Editing category at the AMVCA.
Slum King
A 10-part limited crime series, set in Lagos, Nigeria, Slum King is about a young boy who witnesses his family’s murder after he forgets to lock their door overnight. He is then forced to live amongst pickpockets, armed robbers, and bullies and he grows with guilt and anger and is determined to be the slum king and take revenge. The Mnet production for Africa Magic won in the Best Scripted MNET original category.
The Broken Mask
A magical realist short film by Kagho Idhebor, the story follows the psychological effect of child molestation which awakens cosmic realities and it is told from a father’s point of view. The main character played by Richard is reportedly inspired by prolific Nigerian painter and sculptor Ben Enwonwu. The short film which screened at The Annual Film Mischief 2023, winning the best short film and best film poster for The Broken Mask also won in the Best Short Film category at the AMVCA.
Caroline Danjuma, Toyin Lawani bury the hatchet
