Juju Stories

Juju Stories
First film poster
Directed byC.J. Obasi
Abba Makama
Michael Omonua
Written byC.J. Obasi
Abba Makama
Michael Omonua
Produced byOge Obasi
Starring
CinematographyFemi Awojide
Edited byChinedum Okerengwor
Music byPhilippe Razol
Production
companies
iFind Pictures
Fiery Film Company

Osiris Creatives
Cine9ja

20 Pounds Production
Release date
Running time
84 minutes
CountryNigeria
LanguageEnglish

Juju Stories is a three-part anthology film exploring juju (magical) stories rooted in Nigerian folklore and urban legend, written and directed by C.J. Obasi, Abba Makama and Michael Omonua. The film features three stories: "Love Potion" by Omonua, "YAM" by Makama, and "Suffer The Witch" by Obasi.[2][3] It is scheduled for theatrical release in Nigeria on 21 January 2022.[4]

Cast

  • Belinda Agedah Yanga as Mercy
  • Paul Utomi as Leonard
  • Elvis Poko as Tohfik
  • Don Ekwuazi as Amos
  • Nengi Adoki as Joy
  • Bukola Oladipupo as Chinwe
  • Timini Egbuson as Ikenna
  • Seun Kentebe as Laolu
  • Sarah Joe as Simi
  • Oluwabunmi Sogade as Faith
  • Uzoamaka Aniunoh as Upperclass Woman
  • Michael O. Ejoor as Upperclass Man
  • Eric Nwanso as Edet
  • Ebuka Mike Uzoma Abiodun
  • Mene Sodjie as Eunice
  • Valerie Dish as Deborah
  • Rhoda Albert as Patience
  • Chisom Coco Ofor as Binta
  • Elvis Duke as Ebele
  • Donald Ndubuisi as Mark
  • Saheed David as Lecturer
  • Roseanne Adenuga as Mortician/Madwoman/Beggar

Plot Summary

Juju Stories tackles juju in contemporary Lagos through three stories. In Love Potion, by Omonua, an unmarried woman agrees to use juju to find herself an ideal mate. In Yam, by Makama, consequences arise when a street urchin picks up seemingly random money from the roadside. In Suffer the Witch, by Obasi, love and friendship turns into obsession, when a young college woman attracts her crush's interest.

Reception

Juju Stories first premiered at the 2021 edition of the Locarno Film Festival.[2][3][5][6][7] It won the Boccalino d'Oro award for best film.[8][9] It is scheduled for theatrical release in 12 countries on 31 October 2021.[10] It was listed as one of the best African films of 2022.[11]

Awards and recognition

Year Award Category Recipient Result
2021 Locarno Film Festival Golden Leopard Juju Stories Nominated [7]
International Competition: Special Mention Nominated [6]
Special Jury Prize Nominated
Nominated
Leopard for Best Actress Nominated
Boccalino d'oro for Best Film Won [8][9]
Leopard for Best Direction C.J. Obasi, Abba Makama, Michael Omonua Nominated

References

  1. ^ "Films Sections - Concorso internazionale".
  2. ^ a b "Anthology film 'Juju Stories' to world premiere at Locarno Film Festival". Pulse Nigeria. 2021-07-02. Retrieved 2021-07-08.
  3. ^ a b Tv, Bn (2021-07-05). "Anthology Film "Juju Stories" to Premiere at Locarno Film Festival + Watch the Official Trailer". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2021-07-08.
  4. ^ Nwogu, Precious 'Mamazeus' (2021-12-24). "'Juju Stories' lands 2022 Nigerian theatrical release". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-01-01.
  5. ^ "Locarno makes its voice heard with a 74th edition to be held in person". Cineuropa. 2021-07-20. Retrieved 2024-01-17.
  6. ^ a b "Noticias: Festival de Locarno 2021: Anunciaron toda la programación - Otros Cines". www.otroscines.com. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
  7. ^ a b "Concorso internazionale". Locarno Film Festival. Retrieved 2021-07-08.
  8. ^ a b "Il Boccalino d'Oro a Marco Borradori". www.cdt.ch (in Italian). 2021-08-13. Archived from the original on 2021-10-16. Retrieved 2021-08-13.
  9. ^ a b "Boccalino d'oro, i premi della giuria indipendente". laRegione. 2021-08-14. Retrieved 2021-08-14.
  10. ^ "'Juju Stories' to premiere on Halloween of 2021". Pulse Nigeria. 2021-09-02. Retrieved 2021-09-11.
  11. ^ "The best African films of 2021 | African Arguments". 2021-12-09. Retrieved 2022-01-01.