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Over the years, filmmakers and Nollywood stakeholders have come to understand the importance of telling our indigenous stories in their original form. In this regard, multiple films centered on exposing the world to issues affecting indigenous communities and films highlighting Nigerian culture and tradition have received immense support from movie lovers.
With streaming platforms like Showmax spearheading the shift to telling more indigenous stories with their Original series, many highly acclaimed films with indigenous backgrounds have received accolades from one of the highest honours in Nollywood, the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCAs).
Here are five African shows with strong indigenous plots and settings that have been nominated for the AMVCAs.
Wura
When Wura was released on January 23, 2023, Netng spoke to the lead cast, Scarlet Gomez, on what it meant for Showmax to highlight the plights of the Iperindo people with the telenovela, Wura. Almost in tears, she explained how the impoverished state of the community made her glad to lend her voice through her character in the film.
Showmax’s Wura was set in Iperindo, a community in Atakunmosa East local government in Osun State, where gold was first discovered in 1945. The community, despite sitting on a gold deposit worth over $5 billion in 2017, is plagued with poverty and a lack of basic amenities, including access to potable water, motorable roads, and functioning health facilities.
A few months into the show, she got her first-ever AMVCA nomination for Best Actress In A Drama Movie/TV Series for her role as Wura Amoo-Adeleke.
Itura
Another African show with a strong indigenous plot and background is Africa Magic’s ‘Itura.’ The epic drama series, which centres around the nascent kingdom of Ibaokuta, tells the tale of King Jagungbade and his desire for an empire based on love, justice, peace, and prosperity, but the task is not as easy as it seems.
The epic drama is nominated in the Best Original Telenovela category alongside dramas like Covenant, Dede, Huba, Mahinga, Maida, Mpali, Prestige, and Salem.
Anikulapo
Kunle Afolayan’s Anikulapo was arguably one of the best movies of 2022. The cast was carefully selected, the cinematography was great, Dr. Bifarin did a great job with costume design, and Kent Edunjobi created the perfect soundtrack for the film. It’s no surprise that the film bagged the highest number of AMVCA nominations, with over 16 nominations.
Anikulapo tells the story of Saro Oloofi (Kunle Remi), whose greed pushes him to strife and doom as he struggles between staying true to his craft or fully exploring his unbridled love for women. Everything goes south when he chooses the former.
Diiche
Showmax’s Diiche is a modern-day story mixed with an indigenous background. The thriller series tells the story of an A-list actress, who becomes a prime suspect in a high-profile murder investigation over the death of Nnamdi, her fiancé. As the search for her fiance intensifies, a series of mysteries begin to be uncovered as she struggles to retain her place in the lives of her loved ones.
Diiche received AMVCA nominations for Best Art Director, Best Television Series, and Best Cinematographer at the ninth edition of the award show. With hopes for a season two of the series in the works, this is one TV series that has one at the edge of its seats.
King Of Thieves (Agesinkole)
What happens when a powerful bandit sets his eyes on a prosperous land? Doom looms. This is a perfect description of the plot of the film. King Of Thieves was set in the Kingdom of Ajeromi, where peace had always rained, but everything turns to chaos as Agesinkole terrorises the kingdom. Soon, the kingdom is left to protect itself from the menace with every supernatural power they possess.
The film bagged over seven AMVCA nominations, including a chance to win the Best Overall Movie category with competitions like Funke Akindele’s Battle on Buka Street, Jade Osiberu’s Brotherhood, Kayode Kasum’s Ile Owo, Kunle Afolayan’s Anikulapo and more.
The post Five Nigerian AMVCA Nominated Shows With Strong Indigenous Plots appeared first on Nigerian Entertainment Today.
