Isoken

Isoken
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJadesola Osiberu
Screenplay byJadesola Osiberu
Produced byJadesola Osiberu
Starring
CinematographyAdekunle Adejuyigbe
Edited byAdekunle Adejuyigbe
Music byGray Jones Ossai
Production
company
Tribe 85 productions
Distributed by
  • Silverbird Distributions (Nigeria)
  • Evrit Film (United Kingdom)
Release dates
  • 24 May 2017 (2017-05-24) (United Kingdom)
  • 16 June 2017 (2017-06-16) (Nigeria)
Running time
98 minutes
CountryNigeria
LanguageEnglish
Box office₦95 million[1]

Isoken is a 2017 Nigerian romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Jadesola Osiberu, in her directorial debut. The film stars Dakore Akande, Joseph Benjamin, and Marc Rhys.[2][3][4][5]

The film was produced by Tribe85 productions and distributed by Silverbird Distributions in Nigeria and Evrit film in the UK.[6] It premiered in the United Kingdom on 24 May 2017 at the West End's Cineworld in London and then in Nigeria on 16 June 2017 at the Landmark Event Center, Victoria Island, Lagos. The film is one of the creative industry projects under the NollyFund loan scheme supported by the Bank of Industry.[7]

Plot summary

Everyone in the Osayande family worries about Isoken. Although she has what appears to be a perfect life, she is beautiful, successful and surrounded by a great family and friends.Yet Isoken is still unmarried at 34 which, in a culture obsessed with marriage, is a serious cause for concern. Things come to a head at her youngest sister's wedding when her overbearing mother thrusts her into an orchestrated matchmaking with the ultimate Edo man, Osaze. Osaze is handsome, successful and from a good family, making him the perfect Nigerian husband material. But in an unexpected turn of events, Isoken meets Kevin who she finds herself falling in love with and he just might be what she truly wants in a partner. The only problem is, not only is he not an Edo man, he is Oyinbo (white). Isoken is a romantic comedy that explores cultural expectations, racial stereotypes and the bonds that unite families in touching, dramatic and comedic ways.

Cast

Critical reception

The movie was met with a lot of positive reviews. Although Nollywood Reinvented rated the movie 64%, they also state that if there's any one word befitting of describing this movie it would be "beautiful"[8]

Isoken went on to gather several nominations and awards, winning the 2018 AMVCA Best Film West African and for best Best Director, Best Foreign Film at BronzeLens Film Festival 2018 in Atlanta and Prix du Public at Nollywood Week Paris also in 2018. Isoken established Jadesola as not just a film Director, but an award-winning director.

Awards

Year Award Category Result Ref
2018 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards Best Movie West Africa Won [9]
Best Director - Jade Osiberu Won
Best Supporting Actress - Lydia Forson Won
Best Film Nominated
Best Costume Designer - Jade Osiberu Nominated
Best Art Director - Jade Osiberu Nominated
Best Actress in a Comedy - Dakore Akande Nominated
African Movie Academy Awards Best Nigerian Film Won [10]
Best Actress (Lead role) - Dakore Akande Won
Achievement in Costume Design Won
Best Film Nominated
Best Director - Jade Osiberu Nominated
Best First Feature Film by a Director - Jade Osiberu Nominated
Best Soundtrack Nominated

See also

References

  1. ^ "The top 5 romance movies of the last decade. Which of these got you teary eyed?". FilmOne. Archived from the original on 25 December 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  2. ^ "Hits and Misses of Jadesola Osiberu's 'Isoken' - Vanguard News". Vanguard News. 25 June 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  3. ^ "Cinema Review: 'Isoken' – It's okay". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 29 June 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  4. ^ "Cinema Review: With 'Isoken', Jadesola Osiberu serves up a dish worth the mass-salivating". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 23 June 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  5. ^ "How Isoken is still absolutely killing it at the cinemas". YNaija. 23 June 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  6. ^ Isoken (2017), retrieved 7 July 2017
  7. ^ "BoI powered film 'Isoken' premieres in Lagos – Vanguard News". Vanguard News. 18 June 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  8. ^ "Isoken". Nollywood Reinvented. 17 July 2018.
  9. ^ Agbo, Njideka (1 September 2018). "Complete List Of Winners For The 2018 AMVCA". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  10. ^ "Nollywood Shines At 2018 Africa Movie Academy Awards [Full List Of Winners]". Channels Television. Retrieved 3 July 2021.