Review of the Film, "A TRIBE CALLED JUDAH"
Chukwuemeka Oluka@emmanueloluka561455
9 months ago
Review of the film, "A TRIBE CALLED JUDAH"
Written By: Chukwuemeka Oluka
Setting the record for being the first Nollywood film to gross a staggering N1.0 billion in box office revenue, ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ is set to redefine filmmaking in the Nigerian film industry.
Released on 15th December 2023 in cinemas nationwide, the blockbuster reached this incredible milestone in just two (2) days into the new year, 2024. It is produced by Funke Akindele, whose previous films ‘Battle on Buka Street’ and ‘Omo Ghetto: The Saga’ also hold the record for the second and third highest-grossing films in the Nigerian box office respectively.
‘A Tribe Called Judah’ parades an impressive cast comprising Funke Akindele (Jedidah), Jide Kene Achufusi (Emeka), Uzee Usman (Adamu), Timini Egbuson (Pere), Tobi Makinde (Shina), Olumide Oworu (Ejiro), Nse Ikpe Etim (Collete), Uzoh Arukwe (Chigozie), Ebele Okaro (Grandma), Faithia Balogun (Mama Carol), Genovevah Umeh (Testimony), Simi Hassan (Daddy Michael), Pascaline Alex (Mummy Michael), Nosa Rex (Jerry), Gregory Ojefua (Pluto), Ibrahim Yekini (Itele) and Boma Akpore (Deji).
Directed by the duo of Funke Akindele and Adeoluwa Owu, the movie follows Jedidah Judah (Funke Akindele), a single mother of five boys. She is hardworking, strong, compassionate and loved in her local community. She had her sons from five different men of different tribes in the country.
The eldest son, Emeka and the second, Adamu are responsible. Well-adjusted. The other three, are irresponsible. The third son, Pere is a sharp pickpocket. Shina, the fourth, is a community thug, and Ejiro, the last son and lover boy, is a naughty child. Nevertheless, Jedidah would love them unconditionally and would rescue them from trouble even if it meant putting her life on the line.
Jedidah’s chronic addiction to liquor meant that she suffered a dangerous kidney disease that would require the boys to raise the sum of N18 million to save their mother’s life.
The only solution steering them in the face was to rob Emeka’s former workplace, C & K Furniture. Emeka, a vibrant and hardworking man is full of integrity, but was relieved of his job at C & K, no thanks to his mother’s failing health. Initially, he refused to be a part of his brothers’ plot. However, driven by desperation to save their mother’s life, he succumbed eventually.
At C & K Furniture is Collete, Emeka’s ex-manager. There's also the Chairman, Chigozie. Both played the roles of the antagonists. The conflicts created by these two meant that the movie’s plot reached a remarkable dimension. Nse Ikpe Etim played Collete, and she was impressive.
The catch however is Chigozie.
Played by Uzoh Arukwe, Chigozie becomes that greedy, semi-literate and rich Igbo businessman and money launderer whose mother tongue rubs off on his spoken English. He is unapologetic about his person. Very effervescent and outlandish.
Collete, though a repentant member of a notorious gang, relapsed to greed as she threw a spanner in the works of Jedidah’s boys. Unknown to the Judah brothers, she and her gang also came for the spoils at C & K Furniture on the night of the robbery. This culminates into an essential twist in the plot development.
Now, this review is incomplete without a spotlight on various elements that collectively form a robust framework for a movie review.
Starting with the title, ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ is a stroke of genius. However, equating Jesus Christ, who is the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Rev 5:5) to thieves, can be insensitive. Yes, it may just be a title, but since the movie gravitates more towards a Christian demographic, it seemingly doesn’t cause harm. Otherwise, fanatical religions in the country would have indicted the film with blasphemy.
Similarly, the movie seemingly portrays committing a crime as okay, provided its purpose is for a good course. The Judah brothers had to rob a mall to raise money needed for their mother’s kidney transplant. Good bows to evil as the good man (Emeka) sees his character of integrity bow to the prevailing pressure.
As entertaining and relatable as the film is, its didactic value should not be taken for granted.
‘A Tribe Called Judah’ has a fine story. It exposed the ills of money laundering and addiction to alcohol. The Judah brothers brought fine unity in diversity. The movie resonates effortlessly with the struggles of most Nigerian families especially with its ability to create and resolve conflict.
However, the movie should’ve been better researched. A medical doctor (who also saw the movie) noted thus, ‘People rarely collapse from a chronic renal disease without prior symptoms and signs’ – Ugo Egbujo. This research would’ve added more authenticity to the movie.
Granted that the movie seamlessly blends humour, emotion and suspense into its narrative, it need not turn most of the cast into stand-up comedians to avoid one genre weighing heavily against the other and losing some substance as it progressed.
The movie also contained some exaggeration. The Igbo businessman’s rhotacisation of ‘r’ and ‘l’ was overused. It appears too dramatized and too rehearsed. In addition, the street begging scene involving Ejiro and his girlfriend, Testimony, was unnecessary.
Meanwhile, anyone who pays attention to detail would observe the costume the Judah brothers wore to the party could’ve easily given them away in the event things went south before the robbery. Only the brothers seemingly wore a masked costume.
‘A Tribe Called Judah’ throws the viewer into an immersed rollercoaster of feelings with its sublime ability to successfully weave comedy, drama and action into a storyline. While the emotional moments would draw you in, there was still room to make it even more compelling and tight.
Visual elements like colour, lighting and camera ensemble enriched the cinematography, thereby helping to shape the story and add to the overall tone of the movie.
Sincerely, beyond the financial success of the movie, Funke Akindele knocked this out of the ballpark.
On the balance of play, I will rate ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ a 9/10. The movie is worth the flowers it received.
ABOUT THE WRITER
Chukwuemeka Oluka is a COREN-certified Engineer. He is a research enthusiast and a passionate writer. He can be reached via "w*********a@gmail.com”
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