A Tribe Called Judah made history after becoming the highest-grossing film in the Nigerian box office for 2023. The movie is the latest project of Nigerian filmmaker and actress, Funke Akindele, to hit the cinemas. Within just 12 days after its release on December 15, 2023, A Tribe Called Judah, made at least N400 million in the Nigerian box office revenue.
A Tribe Called Judah is not Akindele’s outstanding achievements in film. Her 2022 movie, Battle on Buka Street, grossed N640 million over 9 weeks in theatres, securing its position as the second-highest-grossing movie of the year, according to data from the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN), as reported by Nairametrics. According to Leadership, her latest movie looks set for an unprecedented record in Nigerian cinema, with the possibility of grossing a billion naira by the end of January 2024.
This piece presents more details about this record-shattering movie.
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Table of Content hide 1 A Tribe Called Judah movie 2 A Tribe Called Judah plot 3 A Tribe Called Judah cast 4 A Tribe Called Judah receptionA Tribe Called Judah movie
A Tribe Called Judah is a Nigerian family comedy-drama movie produced by Funke Akindele. The movie hit the cinemas nationwide on December 15, 2023, and features Akindele, Jidekene Achufusi, Uzor Arukwe, Timini Egbuson, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Olumide Oworu, Tobi Makinde and Gregory Ojefua, among others.
A Tribe Called Judah made at least N400 million in box office revenue within 12 days of its release. According to Punch, Akindele revealed that the movie was inspired by her late mother, Dr Adebanjo Akindele.
She said: “The story is so dear to my heart. It has a part of my late mum in it, and it represents the struggles faced by many single parents and mothers in society.
“There’s often a stigmatisation surrounding women who have children out of wedlock. They get labelled with unprintable names with the assumption that their children will amount to nothing.
“The film also sheds some focus on rebellious children. When they start out being rebellious, their families tend to give up on them. However, it is important to look for something special in your children; help them nurture their talents, and they will become great with it.”
The actress also revealed that she made sure ‘everybody was represented in it’ so that the movie could resonate with people from all walks of life.
A Tribe Called Judah plot
The movie revolves around a low-income family. A single mother, Jedidah Judah, has five sons from different fathers. The first two sons are responsible and try to help their mother in any way they can. However, the last three sons are total opposites. Pere (played by Timini Egbuson) is a chronic pickpocket, Shina (played by Tobi Makinde) is a hoodlum in the community and the last child, Ejiro (played by Olumide Oworu), is naive, naughty and only cares about his girlfriend, Testimony (played by Genoveva Umeh).
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Despite their problems, Jedidah continues to care for her family. Unfortunately, she develops a chronic kidney disease which will require funding of ₦18 million for surgery and ₦400,000 weekly for her dialysis. During this time, her first son, Emeka (Jide Kene Achufusi), loses his job, throwing the family into more financial jeopardy.
So, the brothers plot to rob Emeka’s ex-boss, who is a rumoured money launderer, to raise funds to save their mother’s life. However, their plans take another turn when they encounter armed robbers at the scene.
A Tribe Called Judah cast
- Funke Akindele as Jedidah Judah
- Jide Kene Achufusi as Emeka Judah
- Uzee Usman as Adamu Judah
- Timini Egbuson as Pere Judah
- Tobi Makinde as Shina Judah
- Olumide Oworu as Ejiro Judah
- Genoveva Umeh as Testimony
- Ebele Okaro as Grandma
- Uzor Arukwe as Chairman Chigozie Onouha
- Nse Ikpe Etim as Collette
- Juliana Olayode as Hilda
- Fathia Balogun as Mama Caro
- Paschaline Alex Okoli as Linda
- Yvonne Jegede as Modupe
- Boma Akpore as Deji
- Ibrahim Yekini as Itele
- Etinosa Idemudia
- Nosa Rex as Jerry
- Gregory Ojefua as Pluto
A Tribe Called Judah reception
A Tribe Called Judah has been a huge success at the Nigerian box office. It became the first Nollywood film to gross over ₦113 million in its opening weekend. Many movie critics described the movie as the best Nollywood production in the theatre as the acting, storyline, comedy and fight scenes were on point. Also, some describe the movie as captivating from start to finish, with the infusion of humour, conflict and emotion.
In addition, critics were impressed with the visuals, setting and costumes of the film. Attention was paid to every detail, as the location and costume depict the condition of the life of the characters.
In other words, it was very hard for critics to point out any downsides of the film. However, some suggested that some extended scenes could have benefited from brevity to maintain undivided viewer attention.
Overall, many rated the film 9/10. A Tribe Called Judah is a film that explores family, love, brotherhood, and single motherhood, themes that we can resonate with.
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