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Tag: A Tribe Called Judah

  • Funke Akindele: ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’ set to break ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ box office record

    Funke Akindele: ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’ set to break ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ box office record

    Nollywood’s reigning Box Office Queen, Funke Akindele, is set to shatter her own records with her latest cinematic offering, “Everybody Loves Jenifa”.

    The film has already achieved a remarkable milestone, grossing over N1 billion in 19 days.

    This impressive feat builds on the success of her 2023 film, “A Tribe Called Judah”, further solidifying Funke’s reputation as a powerhouse in the Nigerian film industry.

    Read Also: Funke Akindele’s “Everybody Loves Jenifa” hits N1bn in 19 days

    With “Everybody Loves Jenifa”, Funke has set her sights on an ambitious target of N5 billion in cinema ticket sales, demonstrating her confidence in the film’s appeal and her ability to drive box office success.

    The film continues to captivate audiences nationwide.

  • A Tribe Called Judah most challenging role I ever played – Uzor Arukwe

    A Tribe Called Judah most challenging role I ever played – Uzor Arukwe

    Popular actor, Uzor Arukwe has stated that the most challenging role he has ever played is the  blockbuster movie of Funke Akindele ‘A Tribe Called Judah’.

    Arukwe, who plays Chidoke, an Igbo businessman and money launderer in the film, said the role was challenging because he had to consciously use the Igbo man’s dialect and enunciation of ‘R’s’ and ‘L’s’.

    He stated this during a recent interactive session with fans on X platform.

    A curious fan asked, “[What’s] The most challenging role you have ever played?”

    Arukwe replied, “A Tribe Called Judah because I had to consciously replace the L word with the R word, to make it feel natural & believable.”

    Read Also: Funke Akindele’s ‘A Tribe called Judah’ hits N1.4billion in box office

    Quoting his tweet, producer of the record-breaking film, Funke Akindele hailed him for his outstanding performance in the movie.

    “And you nailed it. Well done bro. Thank you too,” she wrote.

  • Funke Akindele’s ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ hit £80,000 UK Box office

    Funke Akindele’s ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ hit £80,000 UK Box office

    Box office queen, actress Funke Akindele has made another giant strides on the UK Box Office with her blockbuster cinema movie, ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ bagging £80,000.

    The film, already holding the honour of being the highest-grossing Nollywood film, broke Box Office records in the UK by earning an impressive £80,000 in just four weeks of streaming.

    The announcement was made on the image-sharing platform, Instagram, by the entertainment company, Film One.

    Read Also: Movie Review: A Tribe Called Judah, maintains universal value, mother’s love

    “One and only Big Baller @funkejenifaakindele. Congratulations on your UK Numbers. We love a focused Queen,” it wrote in a post.

  • Portable inspired my ‘Shina’ role in ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ – Tobi Makinde

    Portable inspired my ‘Shina’ role in ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ – Tobi Makinde

    Actor Tobi Makinde has recounted his experience filming blockbuster and record breaking film “A Tribe Called Judah”.

    The movie directed by Funke Akindele has Tobi Makinde playing Shina. 

    He said the part was challenging because he had never played it in a film.

    Tobi said he already played a mobster and had to study the role then when he was handed the part, he thought of controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, known as Portable.

    Speaking with Legit in an interview, he said he drew inspiration from the controversial “Zazoo Zehh” crooner to play Shina.

    He also addressed how his hairdo affected some people’s perception of him.

    Read Also: Movie Review: A Tribe Called Judah, maintains universal value, mother’s love

    “The character Shina stretched me creatively in the sense that I had to enter another realm, a realm that I had never been to before. Actors draw inspiration from so many things. Some draw from past experiences, and some draw from the experiences of other people”

    “For me, I had to pick a reference and it was Singer Portable because when I saw the character that was being created, I felt that he was the best reference to use to interpret the role. I had to do to follow Portable on social media to watch his videos. He makes me laugh and I learned a lot from watching him do his thing. I also had to pull a lot of street language to bring the character to life.”

  • Movie Review: A Tribe Called Judah, maintains universal value, mother’s love

    Movie Review: A Tribe Called Judah, maintains universal value, mother’s love

    By Idowu Favour

    A Tribe Called Judah is a cinematic triumph that skillfully weaves together the complexities of Nigerian family life. Clocking in at 2 hours and 14 minutes, the film introduces the Judah family, led by the resilient single mother Jedidiah, portrayed masterfully by Akindele.

    Released on December 15, 2023, this Christmas hit has not only shattered box office records, grossing a remarkable N122 million in under two weeks, but also demonstrated Akindele’s directorial prowess. The storyline navigates the challenges faced by the diverse Judah family, delving into the backgrounds of the five sons, each with distinct personalities.

    The film’s strength lies in its storytelling, efficiently introducing characters and themes while maintaining universal values, especially the power of a mother’s love.

    Despite occasional melodrama, the movie engages audiences by resolving conflicts and introducing complex challenges, showcasing the chemistry among the diverse ensemble cast.

    ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ resonates with Nigerian society by portraying brotherhood and unity in diversity, reflecting the multiethnic structure and the need for unity.

    Read Also; Meet new commander of IRT, DC Sanusi assigned to tackle Abuja kidnapping crisis 

    The visuals capture the essence of Nigerian landscapes, complemented by a soundtrack that subtly enhances emotional moments. Subplots involving romance, humour, and action add layers to the narrative, creating a transformative journey filled with laughter, sadness, and gripping moments.

    Tobi Makinde, Timini Egbuson, and Olumide Oworu deliver standout performances, infusing depth and authenticity into their characters namely Pere, Shina, and Ejiro respectively. Uzor Arukwe adds a touch of humour and authenticity to the antagonist role of Chidokie. Akindele’s portrayal of Jedidah undergoes a quietly honest evolution, earning acclaim for its genuine portrayal.

    In summary, ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ merits a commendable rating, affirming that under Funke Akindele’s leadership, Nigerian filmmakers excel at crafting well-scripted and character-driven cinematic experiences. Going beyond the heist, the film delves into family bonds, laughter, and tears, making it essential viewing for both Nigerians and a broader audience.

    Brace yourself for an immersive journey through this heartwarming and unforgettable narrative that goes beyond the conventional heist storyline, prompting discussions about family intricacies, forgiveness, and second chances.

    ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ is currently showing at the cinemas. Do well to go watch it and experience a tumultuous rush of emotions!

    Rating: 8/10

  • Tinubu, ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ and the power of creative economy

    Tinubu, ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ and the power of creative economy

    • By Temitope Ajayi

    While extolling Funke Akindele, the Nollywood filmmaker for her recent box office accomplishment, President Bola Tinubu lauded the growing contribution of the Nigerian creative industry to the economic growth of the country. He acknowledged its pivotal place as, not just a medium for artistic expression but also a source of enormous soft power and viable cultural export.

    In his effusive praise of the industry; creative ingenuity, and enterprising spirit of young Nigerians, President Tinubu said that, “the creative industry is one of the high-employment sectors, providing jobs for our able and talented youths. It is an industry that is crucial to my administration. I salute Nigerians for their enduring support and patronage of home-grown creative efforts. We will provide the conducive environment for the industry to thrive further.”

    On the heels of that generous presidential endorsement, it is worthy to say that, regardless of what anyone says, Funke Akindele has cracked the code for successful Box Office run in Nigeria. Her films, till date, have remained the highest grossing in cinema runs in Nigeria’s film industry.

    Her recent flick, ‘A Tribe Called Judah’, grossed over a billion naira in revenue, a landmark of no mean feat. The interesting twist to this number is the fact that within a month, Akindele’s film grossed the unprecedented amount in a country with 91 cinemas and 303 screens.

    For clearer understanding, available data shows that as at 2022, China has 65,000 cinema screens followed by United States (35,280), India (11,962) and UK (3,402). It is very easy to see the link between the number of screens and the material prosperity of Americans in hollywood and Indians in bollywood.

    By comparison,  English-speaking West African countries, including Nigeria, as at December 31, 2023, have 95 cinemas with 321 screens. Out of this number, Ghana has 4 cinemas with 18 screens.

    For a country of Nigeria’s size and population, the third largest film producer in the world after United States and India, the paltry 303 screens  reveal a huge opportunity for private sector investment, which the newly-created Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy is poised to drive.

    Akindele’s ‘A Tribe Called Judah’, was watched by film lovers in 71 cinemas across Nigeria during the holiday season. Despite these limited screens, the title still raked in N1.3 billion as at January 10, according to promoters.

    It was not only Akindele’s ATCJ that recorded massive box office hit. During the same period, Toyin Abraham’s film, ‘Malaika’ grossed over N250million, while ‘Ada Omo Daddy’ by Mercy Aigbe made over N140 million.

    In series of well-deserved commendations for her extraordinary achievements,  some of Funke Akindele’s colleagues in the movie industry showered encomiums on her for blazing the trail in box office revenue. United Kingdom-based Nigerian filmmaker, Obi Emelonye praised Funke and her team:

    “First of all, let me congratulate Funke Akindele and her team, including my brother and friend JideKene Achufusi. What they have achieved with ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ is unprecedented in our history. I don’t want to get bogged down in the crass argument whether the N1 billon plus figure is inflated, padded or not. The important thing is that the film has galvanized Nigerian cinema audiences.

    “And if we are arguing about the billion marks, which is double what the previous record is, then we are talking uncharted territory here. For that Funke and her team deserve respect and praise. Whichever way you look at it; it is great win for the industry that no one believed can make cinema work when we pioneered it 13 years ago. If Funke can do N1 billion with the number of cinemas in Nigeria today, just imagine the possibilities for our industry.”

    Read Also: Tinubu, ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ and the power of creative economy

    Kunle Afolayan, award-winning Director and actor whose films are also known for their artistic and commercial success, attributed the runaway success of ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ to hard work.

    “I congratulated her and the team when the film was released and encouraged people to watch it. She and her team really worked very hard with the promotion of the film,” Afolayan said.

    Describing the recent commercial success of Nigerian films at the cinema as the ‘golden era’, Deputy Managing Director of Filmhouse Group, Moses Babatope noted in a statement, “We are witnessing a golden era for Nigerian cinema, and Funke Akindele’s ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ reaching the 1 billion Naira mark is an indication that the creative industry despite the stiff competition from international streaming platforms, our local content continues to thrive, engaging audiences on a grand scale.”

    If nothing else, the revenue from the three movies that exhibited, during the yuletide, hints of huge potential for the industry. We can imagine what the industry can make with having, in Nigeria, just 1000 screens, not to talk of 3000 screens. The possibilities are truly huge for filmmakers and other players in the industry. This is apart from the multiplier effect on the economy.

    With the right infrastructure; more collaboration among government; private sector players and the motion picture practitioners, Nigeria can actually produce billionaire and multimillionaire film makers and allied professionals like their counterparts in hollywood. Funke Akindele and some of her colleagues have shown us that this is possible.

    President Bola Tinubu understands the immense economic potentials of creative industry as an enabler of wealth creation and growth driver. The current administration’s intense focus on the sector will significantly galvanize it as a major contributor to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The decision of President Tinubu to establish a full Ministry to superintend over the creative industry was not by happenstance. It was borne out of deliberate planning and critical evaluation of the socio-economic importance of the sector to national development.

    The good news is that the Minister in charge of the sector, Hannatu Musawa, has the full support of President Tinubu to expand the capacity of the industry as one of the main enablers of economic growth. The Minister is passionate too about activating sustainable and enduring growth in the creative industry. At a recent industry stakeholders’ meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima, where the Vice President revealed that the creative industry will benefit hugely from the $650million Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (I-DiCe) programme his office is supervising, an elated Musawa reinforced the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthen the sector and enable the professionals to achieve more.

    “We want to create the conducive environment for you to operate in the way you need to,” Musawa declared.

    From all indications, the hard work of our creative professionals, backed by a conducive environment and sound policies provided by the present administration will unleash glad tidings for the sector this year and beyond.

    • Ajayi is Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity
  • Tinubu, ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ and the power of creative economy

    Tinubu, ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ and the power of creative economy

    •  Temitope Ajayi 

    While extolling Funke Akindele, the Nollywood filmmaker for her recent box office accomplishment, President Bola Tinubu lauded the growing contribution of the Nigerian creative industry to the economic growth of the country. He acknowledged its pivotal place as, not just a medium for artistic expression but also a source of enormous soft power and viable cultural export.

    In his effusive praise of the industry; creative ingenuity, and enterprising spirit of young Nigerians, President Tinubu said that, “the creative industry is one of the high-employment sectors, providing jobs for our able and talented youths. It is an industry that is crucial to my administration. I salute Nigerians for their enduring support and patronage of home-grown creative efforts. We will provide the conducive environment for the industry to thrive further.”

    On the heels of that generous presidential endorsement, it is worthy to say that, regardless of what anyone says, Funke Akindele has cracked the code for successful Box Office run in Nigeria. Her films, till date, have remained the highest grossing in cinema runs in Nigeria’s film industry. 

    Her recent flick, ‘A Tribe Called Judah’, grossed over a billion naira in revenue, a landmark of no mean feat. The interesting twist to this number is the fact that within a month, Akindele’s film grossed the unprecedented amount in a country with 91 cinemas and 303 screens. 

    For clearer understanding, available data shows that as at 2022, China has 65,000 cinema screens followed by United States (35,280), India (11,962) and UK (3,402). It is very easy to see the link between the number of screens and the material prosperity of Americans in hollywood and Indians in bollywood. 

    By comparison,  English-speaking West African countries, including Nigeria, as at December 31, 2023, have 95 cinemas with 321 screens. Out of this number, Ghana has 4 cinemas with 18 screens.

    For a country of Nigeria’s size and population, the third largest film producer in the world after United States and India, the paltry 303 screens  reveal a huge opportunity for private sector investment, which the newly-created Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy is poised to drive. 

    Akindele’s ‘A Tribe Called Judah’, was watched by film lovers in 71 cinemas across Nigeria during the holiday season. Despite these limited screens, the title still raked in N1.3 billion as at January 10, according to promoters. 

    It was not only Akindele’s ATCJ that recorded massive box office hit. During the same period, Toyin Abraham’s film, ‘Malaika’ grossed over N250million, while ‘Ada Omo Daddy’ by Mercy Aigbe made over N140 million. 

    In series of well-deserved commendations for her extraordinary achievements,  some of Funke Akindele’s colleagues in the movie industry showered encomiums on her for blazing the trail in box office revenue. United Kingdom-based Nigerian filmmaker, Obi Emelonye praised Funke and her team:

    “First of all, let me congratulate Funke Akindele and her team, including my brother and friend JideKene Achufusi. What they have achieved with ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ is unprecedented in our history. I don’t want to get bogged down in the crass argument whether the N1 billon plus figure is inflated, padded or not. The important thing is that the film has galvanized Nigerian cinema audiences.

    “And if we are arguing about the billion marks, which is double what the previous record is, then we are talking uncharted territory here. For that Funke and her team deserve respect and praise. 

    “Whichever way you look at it; it is great win for the industry that no one believed can make cinema work when we pioneered it 13 years ago. If Funke can do N1 billion with the number of cinemas in Nigeria today, just imagine the possibilities for our industry.”

    Kunle Afolayan, award-winning Director and actor whose films are also known for their artistic and commercial success, attributed the runaway success of ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ to hard work.

     “I congratulated her and the team when the film was released and encouraged people to watch it. She and her team really worked very hard with the promotion of the film,” Afolayan said. 

    Describing the recent commercial success of Nigerian films at the cinema as the ‘golden era’, Deputy Managing Director of Filmhouse Group, Moses Babatope noted in a statement, “We are witnessing a golden era for Nigerian cinema, and Funke Akindele’s ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ reaching the 1 billion Naira mark is an indication that the creative industry despite the stiff competition from international streaming platforms, our local content continues to thrive, engaging audiences on a grand scale.”

    If nothing else, the revenue from the three movies that exhibited, during the yuletide, hints of huge potential for the industry. We can imagine what the industry can make with having, in Nigeria, just 1000 screens, not to talk of 3000 screens. The possibilities are truly huge for filmmakers and other players in the industry. This is apart from the multiplier effect on the economy. 

    With the right infrastructure; more collaboration among government; private sector players and the motion picture practitioners, Nigeria can actually produce billionaire and multimillionaire film makers and allied professionals like their counterparts in hollywood. Funke Akindele and some of her colleagues have shown us that this is possible. 

    Read Also: Funke Akindele speechless as ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ hits N1.236b sales

    President Bola Tinubu understands the immense economic potentials of creative industry as an enabler of wealth creation and growth driver. 

    The current administration’s intense focus on the sector will significantly galvanize it as a major contributor to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). 

    The decision of President Tinubu to establish a full Ministry to superintend over the creative industry was not by happenstance. 

    It was borne out of deliberate planning and critical evaluation of the socio-economic importance of the sector to national development.

    The good news is that the Minister in charge of the sector, Hannatu Musawa, has the full support of President Tinubu to expand the capacity of the industry as one of the main enablers of economic growth. 

    The Minister is passionate too about activating sustainable and enduring growth in the creative industry.

    At a recent industry stakeholders’ meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima, where the Vice President revealed that the creative industry will benefit hugely from the $650million Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (I-DiCe) programme his office is supervising, an elated Musawa reinforced the federal government’s commitment to strengthen the sector and enable the professionals to achieve more.

    “We want to create the conducive environment for you to operate in the way you need to,” Musawa declared. 

    From all indications, the hard work of our creative professionals, backed by a conducive environment and sound policies provided by the present administration will unleash glad tidings for the sector this year and beyond. 

    -Ajayi is Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity

  • Daniel Regha rates ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ 4/10 movie, says movie lacks comedy satire

    Daniel Regha rates ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ 4/10 movie, says movie lacks comedy satire

    Daniel Regha, a controversial social media critic, has given a below-average rating to the currently trending cinema movie “A Tribe Called Judah,” despite its impressive over N1 billion in sales.

    Produced by Funke Akindele’s production, the film has gained widespread attention for becoming the first Nollywood movie to achieve the 1 billion sales milestone.

    While the movie has received accolades from various nations, Daniel Regha holds a divergent perspective, labelling it as a 4/10 film.

    Expressing dissent about specific scenes, he argued that certain portions were unnecessary, lacking value, and unnecessarily prolonged the duration of the movie.

    Read Also: ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ reflects problems less-privileged Nigerians face – Peter Obi

    He also said that the movie was concluded poorly.

    He wrote: “A Tribe Called Judah” is a 4/10 movie. Though a comedy genre, the film tricks aren’t realistic enough & the movie lacks comedy satire; Not to mention its p¤¤r ending. Furthermore, many scenes plus conversations were not necessary cos they added no value & made the movie long, an example is Ejiro’s begging scene in the first 20 minutes of the movie. The robbery/heist scene was p¤¤rly acted too. In addition, some actors didn’t nail their roles like Timini, Etinosa & Arukwe. However, Uzee Usman, Greg Ojefua, Tobi Makinde as well as Nse Etim, literally brought the movie to life. That said, the movie sheds light on a pressing issue (money laundering) which is commendable. No offense.”

  • ATribeCalledJudah: Peter Obi commends Funke Akindele, congratulates actress on movie success

    ATribeCalledJudah: Peter Obi commends Funke Akindele, congratulates actress on movie success

    Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, has commended actress Funke Akindele for hitting N1bn sales on the new movie ‘A Tribe Called Judah’.

    Obi said the movie reflected the challenges facing the less-privileged Nigerians.

    He stated this on Saturday, January 6, in a statement shared on his X handle.

    The Nation reported that ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ became the first Nollywood film to surpass N1 billion at the box office.

    Reacting to this development, Obi said: “is heartwarming to learn that ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ a movie by @funkeakindele, has achieved a record-breaking earning of N1 billion, in just 3 weeks of its release, thus marking a historic moment in our Nigerian movie industry.

    “I congratulate Funke Akindele for achieving this feat which is a bold testament to her passion, hard work, and dedication in the movie industry.

    “The latest movie touches on some of the complex challenges faced by the less privileged families in Nigeria, in their struggles for survival. It skillfully tells a story that appeals to its audience in a comic and entertaining delivery.”

  • ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ reflects problems less-privileged Nigerians face – Peter Obi

    ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ reflects problems less-privileged Nigerians face – Peter Obi

    The popular film “A Tribe Called Judah,” starring Nollywood actress Funke Akindele, has been characterised by Labour Party candidate Peter Obi as a mirror of the struggles faced by Nigeria’s less fortunate citizens.

    Obi stated this in a series of tweets via his verified X handle on Saturday, January 6.

    Within three weeks of its release in cinemas, A Tribe Called Judah broke every box office record and became the first Nollywood film to gross N1 billion.

    Reacting to this development, Obi noted that the movie’s storyline mirrors “some of the complex challenges faced by many less-privileged families in Nigeria, in their struggles for survival.”

    He said: “It is heartwarming to learn that ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ a movie by Nigerian Movie Producer, @funkeakindele, has achieved a record-breaking earning of N1 billion, in just 3 weeks of its release,” adding that the feat was a “historic moment in our Nigerian movie industry.”

    Obi claims that throughout the last ten years, Nollywood has continued to be one of Nigeria’s “biggest exports,” a claim supported by the accomplished actress and producer’s work.

    He said: “Nollywood remains one of the biggest exports of our country in the last decade and shows the inherent potential in our people which Akindele has copiously brought out in all her works.

    “I congratulate Funke Akindele for achieving this feat which is a bold testament to her passion, hard work, and dedication in the movie industry.”

    Read Also: Atiku congratulates Funke Akindele as ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ breaks new record

    Obi commended Akindele for having two of her previous movies – ‘Battle on Buka Street’ and ’Omo Ghetto,’ sitting as the “second and third highest-grossing films at the Nigerian box office respectively.”

    “It skillfully tells a story that appeals to its audience in a comic and entertaining delivery.”

    The LP presidential candidate encouraged Nollywood to “continue to tell stories that will inspire hard work, integrity, and productivity among Nigerians.

    He said: “This, I believe, will play a significant role in positioning our minds for the productivity-driven nation we are trying to build – The New Nigeria.”