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Nigeria will celebrate its twenty-fifth year of uninterrupted democracy on June 12 2024. While you may have plans for that public holiday, one great way to spend it is by watching at least one (or two) movies or documentaries on Nigeria’s political journey.
Technically, the anniversary of the democracy day is the 29th of May, the date Nigeria returned to civilian rule in 1999. However, Nigeria’s political history is incomplete without “June 12 1993;” the date of what is considered one of the best elections in Nigerian history.
The Supreme Price
Regardless of the movie you have planned to watch on June 12, we highly recommend starting with “The Supreme Price.” This captivating, award-winning documentary war film stars Hafsat Abiola and delves into the aftermath of the annulment of MKO Abiola’s victory in the 1993 Nigerian Presidential Election. The film provides a powerful exploration of the role of women in politics and their rights in Nigeria, particularly in the wake of the annulment, MKO’s imprisonment, Kudirat Abiola’s tragic assassination, and MKO’s eventual death while in custody.
76
Nigeria’s history under military rule was heavily punctuated by coups that prompted changes in leadership. 76, released in 2016, tells the story of a pregnant wife who assists her husband, a young soldier accused of involvement in the failed coup of 1976, in proving his innocence. The movie, directed by Izu Ojukwu, features Ramsey Nouah, Chidi Mokeme, Rita Dominic, and Ibinabo Fiberesima.
You can watch it on Netflix
October 1’
October 1, released in 2014, depicts Nigeria’s independence from the British in 1960. It follows a fictional Nigerian police detective who is sent to investigate the murders of women in a rural community. The detective must solve the mystery before Nigeria’s Independence Day on October 1, 1960, when the Nigerian flag will be raised.
The cast includes Sadiq Daba, Kayode Olaiya, David Bailie, Kehinde Bankole, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Fabian Adeoye Lojede, Nick Rhys, Kunle Afolayan, Femi Adebayo, Bimbo Manuel, Ibrahim Chatta, Demola Adedoyin, and Deola Sagoe.
The movie is currently available on Netflix.
Funmilayo
In Funmilayo, Tunde Babalola (Writer) and Bolanle Austen-Peters (Director), tell the life story of a Nigerian legend, the late Funmilayo Ransome Kuti. The movie explores her days at Abeokuta Grammar School, her marriage to Isreal Ransome-Kuti, and her revolutionary fight against colonialism and patriarchy through the creation of the Abeokuta Women’s Union.
While many only remember her as the mother of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, she was a renowned Nigerian educator, political campaigner, and women’s rights activist, who played a crucial role in Nigeria’s political scene. You can read our review here.
The film features stars such as Kehinde Bankole, Ajoke Silva, Adunni Ade, Adebayo Salami, Omowunmi Dada, Jide Kosoko, Dele Odule, Ibrahim Suleiman, Bikiya Graham-Douglas, Yewande Osamein, and Iyimide Ayo-Olumoko and you can still catch it in cinemas.
Saworoide
Many stories abound on the military rule in Nigeria but very few movies tell the impact of that rule on the majority of the citizens. This classic Yoruba movie released in 1999 sheds light on how military rule in Nigeria led to autocracy. Directed by the legendary filmmaker Tunde Kelani, the film vividly portrays the betrayals, violence, exploitation, bribery, corruption, and other societal issues within Nigeria’s leadership system under the military regimes.
Saworoide features a star-studded cast including Lere Paimo, Kola Oyewo, Ayantunji Amoo, Kabirat Kafidipe, and more. You can watch the full movie on YouTube.
The post June 12: The Supreme Price and four other Nollywood political movies to watch appeared first on Nigerian Entertainment Today.
