Did you know that 'A Tribe Called Judah’ has become the first Nollywood movie to gross one billion Naira within a month of its cinema release, and that it has set a new record in the Nigerian entertainment industry?

◼️ABOUT THE MOVIE

A Tribe Called Judah is a 2023 Nigerian film produced by the Nigerian actress Funke Akindele. The movie tells a story of a single mother, Jedidah Judah (played by Funke Akindele), who has five sons from five different fathers from five different tribes. The first two sons are responsible and try their best to work and support their mother. Meanwhile, the last three are less helpful; Pere is a chronic pickpocket, Shina, a hoodlum and tout in the community, and the last, Ejiro is naughty and only cares about his girlfriend, Testimony. Despite their bad behavior, Jedidah continues to support them and get them out of trouble.

Things take a turn for the worse when Jedidah develops a chronic kidney disease, needing ₦18 million to fund her operation and ₦400,000 weekly for her dialysis. The first son, Emeka, loses his job, and the five sons see no other option than to rob Emeka's ex-boss, who is rumored to be a money launder, to get the money to save their mother's life. However, their plans take a dramatic turn when they encounter armed robbers at the scene.

◼️CAST OF STELLAR STARS

The star-studded movie features seasoned actors including 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), and Chigozie Onouha.

Others are 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, and Gregory Ojefua as Pluto.

◼️SETTING MULTIPLE RECORDS

Following the release of 'A Tribe Called Judah' to the cinema on 15 December 2023, the film became the first Nollywood film to gross over ₦113 million in its opening weekend. Within the first 14 days of its release, it surpassed N613 million, becoming the highest-grossing Nollywood film of 2023.

On January 2, 2024, the film set another record by grossing a reported N854 million within 18 days, emerging as the highest-grossing Nollywood film ever in the box office. The film also became the first Nollywood movie to hit N1 Billion in the box office.

This achievement surpasses Akindele’s previous films such as ‘Battle on Buka Street’ (N668.4 million) and ’Omo Ghetto’ (N636.1 million), which currently rank as the second and third highest-grossing films in the Nigerian box office, respectively.

◼️INSPIRATION BEHIND THE MOVIE

The blockbuster movie, ‘A Tribe Called Judah’, which is directed by Adeoluwa Owu, popularly known as Captain Degzy, and is distributed by FilmOne Entertainment, portraying a scheme to rob a mall by five brothers whose mother was battling financial hardship, was inspired by Akindele's late mother, whom she also dedicated the film to.

According to Akindele, “The story is so dear to my heart and it has a part of my late mum in it. It represents the struggles faced by many single parents and mothers in society.”

The record cements Akindele, 46, as Nollywood's highest-grossing director. 'A Tribe Called Judah' is set to eclipse Hollywood hits in Nigerian theatre earnings, including the acclaimed superhero film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which previously held the record as the top-grossing film in the country.

Sources: Wikipedia | BBC | Leadership

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