Five Nigerian Films that can be called ‘Classics’

by Remilekun Jordan

There are a number of films in Nollywood that break the mould of stereotypes and repetition. Films that satisfy our need for smart and most importantly, beautiful storytelling. They aren’t a lot, but they exist – some have existed long enough to be considered classics, and some will stand the test of time and be considered classics in the long run. These are some of the films and why you should see them, and we’ll try to avoid consequential spoilers. 

SAWOREIDE

A Kelani picture. Perhaps, the one that resonates with the older generation. Saworoide is a film that explores the negative byproduct that comes with monarchical power and the thirst for control. Released in 1999, the themes still resonate with the current times. It sounds derivative, but it is Shakespearean, comparable to Julius Caesar and King Lear in terms of plot progression and accompanied by the poetic melody of the Yoruba language. Kelani has made so many great films since then, but none has the Je nais se quois Saworiede possesses. In a hundred years or so, when we look back at the cinema that defined the late 20th century/21st century, especially on a politically charged level, we will mention and revere this film in the conversations.

REHEARSAL.

The mechanics of faith and doctrine told in a familiar language is how we would describe Michael Omonua’s and Tomisin Adepeju’s short film. This film is simply special – aesthetically pleasing but not to the point of losing substance. We are thrown into a recognisable world that still feels extraterrestrial the more we watch. A collage of long takes and static cinematography painting a twisted narrative about the world of miracle-working in contemporary churches. There’s nothing like it in our sphere. And its existence indicates that we have stories to tell and can be profound when we tell them. Rehearsal deserves a full feature, and there’s a philosophical pedagogy at the heart of the story. 

EYINMOFE OR THIS IS MY DESIRE 

Films about realistic obstacles will always have a place in cinema. What the Esiri brothers portray here best, apart from giving us characters that we are familiar with regardless of social status or class, is making the city of Lagos an unglamorous character. There’s an aching need to escape and seek the proverbial greener pastures. A fight against homegrown suffering and a brawl with migration fatigue Ultimately, you root for both stories and even when they finally reach a point of cinematic confluence. It’s not an A-ha moment because you’ve seen this and you’ve lived this. Eyinmofe does not preach, it merely shows, and that’s what a good story does. 

OCTOBER 1

This is an Afolayan picture – a good Afolayan picture. It is our independence day, but we don’t have enough dark psychological thrillers set in the backdrop of a seminal time in our nation’s history. What makes Afolayan compelling as a director is his ability to deliver on characterisation, and that helped October 1 be a darn good story. A classic whodunit about a serial killer in a small town that doesn’t alienate its audience but rather invites and uses the grey element of nostalgia as a device. And if we are looking for a Nigerian with the perfect cast – this is it.

LAST FLIGHT TO ABUJA. 

A tribute film. A thriller. A great Jim Iyke performance. Last flight to Abuja is the last on our list but it’s not the least important film here. In many ways, it was ahead of its time in terms of special effects and action-thriller storytelling. Reminiscent of Hollywood blockbusters like Flight, turbulence, and Airport 1975. Last flight to Abuja is ultimately a film about survival and suspension. It’s intense and very human, dragging the audience through an emotional roller-coaster whilst igniting phobias across the nation. It’s been more than a decade since the film hit the screens but one could call it a classic, a “rewatchable” blockbuster with no boring moments. 

The above are films everyone should see – gems hidden in the rubble of valueless rocks. They’ve managed to tilt the status quo of Nigerian cinema either by a millimetre or a mile. Hopefully, watching of these ones will propel you to other classics and would-be classics. Despite the influx of cookie-cutter movies, we have films we can look back on and hopefully build upon. 

Honourable mentions are; The figurine, Ayinla and a short film called Hell or high water.