Onye Ozi

Onye Ozi
Theatrical poster
Onye Ozi
Directed byObi Emelonye
Written byObi Emelonye
Screenplay byObi Emelonye
Story by
  • Amaka Obi-Emelonye
  • Fatima Irole
Produced by
  • Obi Emelonye
  • Emmanuella Ngozi Ideh
Starring
Edited byBen Nugent
Music byLuke Corradine
Distributed byM-Net
Release date
  • 18 October 2013 (2013-10-18) (London)
Running time
89 mins
Countries
  • United Kingdom
  • Nigeria
LanguageIgbo

Onye Ozi is a 2013 Nigerian comedy film directed by Obi Emelonye.[1] The film won two category awards at the 2014 Nollywood Movies Awards.[2]

Background and production

Onye Ozi was shot in London and was premiered on 18 October 2013 at The Lighthouse Hall, Camberwell, London.[3] It was produced by Obi Emelonye and Emmanuella Ngozi Ideh with support from Nollywood Movies, London, Screen Nation Pictures and M-Net.[3]

Critical reception

Since it debuted in 2013, Onye Ozi has won multiple awards locally and internationally.[4] Upon its release, Onye Ozi was met with mixed reviews. Sodas & Popcorn, a Nigerian movie blog through BellaNaija cited flaws in the film and further criticized Obi Emelonye's film writing technique stating that, "My issue with his movies have always been the writing. The stories never seem to add up and take he most awkward turns and twists."[5] YNaija's Wilfred Okichie also gave the film a low rating describing it as an "ultra-low budget independent film".[6]

Cast

  • Okey Bakassi as Metumaribe Onuigbo
  • Anthony Aclet as Chike
  • Stephen Moriaty as TJ
  • Ngozi Igwebike as Mkpurunma
  • Adesua Atuanya as Adaaugo
  • D'Kachy Obi-Emelonye as Ossy
  • Chinemerem Okemuo as Ogbenyealu
  • Frank Ani as Ofoegbu
  • Nkiruka Emelonye as Uju
  • King Onuigbo as Father

Awards and nominations

Year Award ceremony Prize Result
2014 2014 Nollywood Movies Awards Best Diaspora Movie Won
Best Indigenous Film Won
10th Africa Movie Academy Awards Achievement in Soundtrack Won
Ousmane Sembene Award for Best Film in An African Language Nominated
2014 Best of Nollywood Awards Best Comedy of The Year Nominated
2015 2015 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards Best Indigenous Language (Igbo) Won
2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Film of The Year (Indigenous Films) Nominated

References

  1. ^ Lindiwe Dovey (10 March 2015). Curating Africa in the Age of Film Festivals. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 254–. ISBN 978-1-137-40414-5.
  2. ^ Imoh, Noellin (14 October 2014). "Nollywood Movie Awards 2014, ONYE OZI, LABO & SHAMEFUL DECEIT are Nominated!". African Dazzle Magazine. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  3. ^ a b "Onye Ozi (The Messenger): Nollywood Hit Master Obi Emelonye Births Another Classic Movie". 360Nobs. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  4. ^ "Igbo films rebound with Onye Ozi". The Nation Newspaper. 23 December 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  5. ^ Sodas & Popcorn (19 February 2014). "Sodas & Popcorn –Movie Review: Onye Ozi (The Messenger)". BellaNaija. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  6. ^ Okichie, Wilfred (24 February 2014). "Film review: Watch 'Onye Ozi' with low expectations and you won't be disappointed". YNaija. Retrieved 4 February 2016.