Award-winning Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele has dedicated her new coming Cinema movie, ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ to her late mother, Dr Adebanjo Akindele.
The Nation reported that the movie star held the premiere of her much-talked-about movie on Sunday, December 10, which has lots of celebrities in attendance.
Speaking at the premiere, Funke revealed that she wrote the script of the movie, unknown to her that her mum would pass away soon.
She described the movie story as passionate, stating that she wrote the script before her mother passed on in February.
Dedicating it to her mother, she urged the public to enjoy the movie and pass it on to others, while adding that it is important for practitioners to unite and work as one.
She said: “This story is so passionate. It is dedicated to my mum, who passed away in February. I didn’t know my mum was going to pass on but I wrote the story, but she is gone now, thank God. I want you all to enjoy the movie and pass it on.”
Nollywood actress, Juliana Olayode, popularly known as Toyo Baby, has expressed her happiness at being back on set with veteran actress, Funke Akindele.
Toyo Baby recently had an interview with The Sun, where she talked about her experience reuniting with Akindele, whom she had a previous disagreement with.
Speaking about how it feels to be reconnected with Funke Akindele, particularly in the upcoming movie “A Tribe Called Judah”, Juliana said: “It feels great to be back on set with Funke Akindele and there are a lot of emotions; sweet, exciting. Before we did A Tribe Called Judah, we did Bashorun Gaa together but it wasn’t her project. It was for BAP (Bolanle Austen-Peters) and I believe that will be out next year. It’s always good vibes, energy, fun, and laughter being on her set. It felt so good to be back.”
Upcoming actress, Ariyo Apesin, popularly known as Kemity, has showered praises on her senior colleague, Funke Akindele who she refers to as a mentor in the industry.
The Nation reported that Funke Akindele hosted entertainment celebrities and Nollywood stars for her movie premiere ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ in Lagos over the weekend.
Kemity, who posted a video of herself with her idol, said she was thrilled to have watched the film and that it was a blast.
She is happy that she has no regrets about selecting Funke Akindele to be her female mentor for an extended period.
She said: “You all need to see the way I was screaming yesterday, gbogbo ohun mi ti ha because that movie is fireI chose her from way back and I am so happy I choose her as my female mentor. iba olorun iba re Lafunkky@funkejenifaakindele. Yesterday was a carnival. The after-party sweet die is the way she laugh for me. The way I look at her eyes and appreciate her good work. The way you she laugh with everybody#attibecalledjudahpremiere@_atribecalledjudahYou all need to go out on the 15th of December to see this movie A Tribe Called Judah.”
Actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has launched a new production house called “Funke Akindele Network (FAAN)”.
The role interpreter made the announcement via her Instagram page on Tuesday.
The actress formally revealed the name of the production company, Funke Akindele Network, which has been operating for more than a year.
She expressed her feelings openly when she said that the production company offers PR services for films in addition to representing a 360-degree approach to filmmaking.
Funke Akindele expressed her gratitude to her fans for their enduring love and support, noting that FAAN was founded on the strength of everyone who stood behind her.
She wrote: “I’m thrilled to officially introduce The Funke Akindele Network (FAAN), my newest love and the powerhouse behind “Battle on Bukka Street” and our upcoming project, “A Tribe Called Judah.” FAAN represents a 360-degree approach to filmmaking and production, as well as providing PR solutions for films.
“I’m forever grateful for the unwavering love and support I’ve received at every twist and turn of this journey. FAAN stands today as a testament to the collective strength of all of you who have stood with me, championing my vision not just to tell our stories but to own and empower our narrative truly.
“Our second project, ‘A tribe Called Judah’ will be hitting the cinemas on the 15th of December, and I cannot wait for you to see all of the magic we have made.”
Popular actor Abimbola Kazeem aka Jigan Babaoja called out Funke Akindele for a feature in her latest film project.
Jigan Babaoja spoke about how he had known Funke Akindele for years and she is yet to feature him on any of her big projects, including the cinema project and Netflix project.
He stated that he has not been receiving any big project despite his youthfulness, asking if he will be remembered when he’s old and incapable of delivering.
In what appeared to be a joke, the actor issued twenty four hours to Funke Akindele, urging his fans to tag her until she responds to his query.
“@funkejenifaakindele you have 24hours to attend to this letter !Tag her continuously!Eyin goons another case is on groundNa everybody e go touch make una calm down,” he wrote.
Many took to Jigan Babaoja’s timeline to commend him for voicing out his pains and shooting his shots.
Ace actress and film maker, Funke Akindele has recounted how she was constantly denied movie roles at some point due to the fact that some people practically labelled her ‘ugly’.
She mentioned having to deal with unpleasant comments from film makers about her physique and looks saddened her.
The ‘Jenifa Diary’ maker and star recalled how she broke down in tears every time they passed those uncomplimentary remarks, further rubbing salt to her injury by withholding roles from her.
On Toke Makinwa’s podcast, “Toke Moments”, Akindele who recently released a mini series, “She Must Be Obeyed” also disclosed being maligned over her looks even in the Yoruba movie scene and denied roles as a result.
The twin mom described how Iyabo Ojo intervened on different occasions when movie makers refused her roles and when any tried to consider her for a role, it would usually be a minor one.
“I remember people telling me, ‘You are not fine. You don’t have ass. You don’t have boobs. You will not be in this film.
“And, I remember crying. A lot of times I would cry, break down, get into the bathroom and cry,” she recollected.
Funke Akindele has returned with a new drama series that will make its debut on Amazon Prime video, She Must Be Obeyed.
Continuing in its tradition of providing enlivening content, the streaming platform in its latest offering unveiled the much-talked about mini-series entitled in a private screening.
The preview event had many actors and actresses at the Filmhouse Imax, Lekki.
Those spotted included lead character Funke Akindele, Lateef Adedimeji, Nancy Isime, Akah Anani, Patience Ozokwo, Mike Ezuronye, and Rachael Okonkwo, among others.
On the film, Akindele said: “I will not let the cat out of the bag but She Must Be Obeyed is all about a character called She and how she wants to remain on the top not minding whoever is hurt, not minding who is trampled upon.”
“The film centres on the competition in the entertainment industry and the music industry; and we decided to work on Afrobeat, you know Afrobeat is from Africa, from Nigeria and we have to explore what we have. You get to see competition, you get to see drama, you get to see fashion, you get to see music, all put into one. And also we had to showcase what young talents go through. They are very hungry to be seen. They want to showcase their talents, unfortunately they do not study their contract; they do not get a lawyer, or families that are experienced to educate them. All these things affect them; and at the end of the day, they sign the wrong contract. All these and more you would get to see in the series.”
Amazon Prime Video expressed that the series offers a window into the lives of three successful music stars, unveiling the cut-throat rivalries and backstabbing activities.
She Must Be Obeyed is owned SceneOne Entertainment.
Popular Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele has urged young and growing artists to be open-minded and read carefully the rules of the contracts before getting signed to a record label.
Funke, while speaking at the premiere of the Prime Video Five Part mini-series, titled, ‘She must be Obeyed’, held at Filmhouse, IMAX Cinema, Lekki, Lagos, said the content focuses on issues affecting young artistes in the music industry.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Lagos deputy governorship candidate in the 2023 election emphasised that artists must be educated, patient, and careful in their quest for fame.
She said: “It is extremely important for young and up-and-coming artists to ensure that they study their contracts to know the details and know what they are going through.
“We put out content that affects young artists and that is why we came up with this series so that when they watch it, they would learn a lot of things and be very careful.
“Young artists need to be educated and we need to organise a lot of seminars, workshops for them to know that they are important.
“The young talents are very hungry to be seen as they want to showcase their talent but unfortunately, they don’t study their contracts, they don’t get a lawyer or families that are experienced to educate them.
“The series will teach them a lot of things that will help them grow and learn the basic things in the industry.”
Funke noted that the series centres on the competition in the entertainment industry, adding it is an eye-opener for everyone.
She said: “The main character,’ SHE’, is very condescending and a bully, just like in every sector, you have bullies everywhere as long as there is the hierarchy.
“You get to see competition, drama, fashion, and music and we had to showcase what young talents go through.
“The series is an eye opener for everyone and most importantly, it is very educating as well as entertaining, so, I encourage everyone to watch it.”
The mini-series She Must be Obeyed’ tells the story of the lives of three successful music stars, their rivalries, and the backstabbing activities they engage in to outshine one another.
It features an ensemble cast led by Funke Akindele, Lateef Adedimeji, Nancy Isime, Akah Anani, Patience Ozokwo, Mike Ezuronye, and Rachael Okonkwo, among others.
She concluded by offering advice to young women, urging them to learn from her experiences and avoid rushing into marriage.
“Take your time, if you rush in you will rush out. You know, I just wanted to get married. I want to do things right, have children and all that. When I went into the marriage, it didn’t work fine. And it ended in a very bad way, in social media, the noise was everywhere. I was actually filming and somebody called me and told me, I wanted to die!”
“You know I cried, lost some good deals then. But I didn’t let it break me. Thank God for my mum who encouraged me to put more effort to work. I channeled the energy to work and I kept saving more. I didn’t let the situation break me down,” she said.
Former BBNaija housemate, Victoria Adeyele aka Vee, has appreciated actress and film producer, Funke Akindele for the rare privilege granted her to give expression to her acting talent.
She featured in Akindele’s recently premiered mini-series, “She Must Be Obeyed” with top Nollywood acts like veteran Patience Ozokwor, Lateef Adedimeji, Rachael Okonkwo, Nancy Isime, Adunni Ade, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Mike Ezuronye amongst others.
Vee recounted how she approached Akindele via her DM in January 2021, to request an opportunity to showcase her ‘great’ acting skills.
In a screenshot that displayed their chat at the time, Vee mentioned how the “Jenifa Diary” inspired her over the years with her craft.
She vowed to give her best shot if given the chance to feature in any of her projects, a humble request that Akindele acceded to.
According to Vee in the chat: “Good evening, Aunty Funke. Hope you’re well. I just got a random feeling that I should shoot my shot with you. I believe I’m a good actress. I don’t have much experience but I’m a fast learner and I’m hard working. I grew up watching you in movies and I’m very inspired by how you made yourself a huge brand. I’d love if you consider me for anything you have going on this year. You won’t regret it. Have a lovely night. God bless.”
Akindele’s response read: “Hi my darling. Just seeing your tweet. Why not? Let’s hook up once I get into Lagos. Cool?”
“Of course, I’m ready. Thank you!” Vee returned.
A few years later, the reality TV star couldn’t hold back from expressing immense gratitude to Akindele for the golden opportunity to give life to her gift.
She tweeted: “Thank you for giving me a chance @funkeakindele you helped me unlock a level of confidence I never knew I had. I love you Aunty #SheMustBeObeyed OUT NOW on @primevideonaija.
