This film tells the story of 2 young Igbo boys as they navigate life as apprentices in their journey to financial freedom.
This was a really good watch for me!
What did I like about the film?
I liked the story, simple but compelling. This film shines an overdue light on a remarkable legacy—the Igbo Apprenticeship System—an extremely effective system that allows successful Igbo men to impart knowledge and blessings to apprentices, thus perpetuating a cycle of wealth creation.
I liked the storytelling and the themes explored – Brotherhood, hard work, betrayal and greed to mention a few. I must let you know that this film is not fast-paced; it slowly but steadily draws you in. I liked the interwoven narrations and was impressed that they did not mix up anything in the process. Using a murder mystery to tell the story of the Igbo Apprenticeship System was really clever and provided a unique angle.
They won with acting and casting. It was nice to see Kanayo O. Kanayo play a different type of role; he embodied the wisdom and gravitas of an Odogwu. I especially liked the part where he narrated the origin of the Igbo Apprenticeship System.
Atlanta Bridget Johnson, who played the role of the female lead also gave a good performance. Her character annoyed me small o but she did well.
I think it is fair to say this was a career-defining performance for Alexx Ekubo; for the first time, it did not seem like he was freestyling. I actually paid close attention to him. The young Afam, played by Paul Nwadiekwe, and the young Paul did not disappoint either; they both convincingly embodied the character of Nwa bois. Let’s not forget the angry bird himself, Obum, played by Chuks Joseph; they all did really well.
Stan Nze gave a stellar performance as usual. Is it okay to say that Stan Nze does not have any bad appearances? I don’t think I have ever seen him in a film and thought, “he did not carry that role well.” He always delivers.
I liked the fact that they gave us likable characters. Even though the main relationship between Amaka and Afam started somewhere in the middle of the film, I liked their connection. I think they only kissed briefly towards the end of the film, but still every time Afam looked at her, it was almost like a physical caress. The way he would tolerate nonsense until you mention his wife… you just knew he would move mountains for her if she asked.
I like the movie setting. Cinematography was great; everything was beautifully captured. The movie was really colourful but not in a distracting way. I liked the transitions; everything was clean and crisp.
I loved the portrayal of the Igbo man. He is hardworking, resilient, industrious, a hustler. I particularly appreciated the fact that they did not perpetuate the stereotype of having them sound funny with exaggerated accents or expressions and mannerisms. No ugly outfits either—I loved all their outfits. He might be uneducated, but he is not uncultured and ill-mannered; that’s just a stereotype that has been around for a while.
I liked the portrayal of the Igbo culture. The language and the way they switched effortlessly from Igbo to English gave me joy. I liked the music; again, it was powerful but not overpowering. Their names and their meanings, the proverbs, the prayers (that scene where Odogwu gave Adam his freedom was really powerful) —this movie sat us down and presented the Igbo man and his culture to us with so much dignity and respect, a stirring tribute to a community.
I’m not Igbo, but I felt really proud watching this film.
Plot progression was coherent, and they were able to tie everything up nicely. Even after the last scene, we still had enough substance to spark conversations without invalidating how the movie actually ended, such as who really killed Paul? Afam didn’t pull the trigger, but he knew the implication of cancelling the payment. But can you really blame him? Was he wrong for going after his friend’s girl, or it’s not a big deal? They always say a woman knows who the father of her child is. Can we believe that Amaka really did not know, or did she conveniently push her pregnancy to the available guy since her boyfriend was being unserious?
I should mention that I did not understand why Segun Arinze had to be a Hausa. At the beginning of the film, it was actually irritating to hear him speak the fake Hausa (sometimes, it was like the movement of his mouth did not match the audio). He spoke Igbo more so why did he not just do that all through? What was the significance of the Hausa language to the story?
Odogwu mentioned that there were no female apprentices because in Igbo land, women do not serve masters, which sounded like a reasonable explanation. But for the lead female in this movie, I would have liked to see more depth beyond being a fine girl. Beyond being caught in the middle of two men, she was the daughter of a foremost businessman, she was also supposed to be a doctor. It was never even mentioned if she eventually became one.
Regardless, Áfàméfùnà was a great watch
This story was written by Anyanwu Sandra Adaora (say her name!) and she did an amazing job. I must say, this is a major triumph for the director, Kayode Kasum. In fact, this is the best I have seen from him. He started well and finished well, he showed a steady directorial hand with this one—no sloppy omissions, no loopholes, no floundering performances overlooked. Just sheer brilliance.
Whether you are Igbo speaking or not, “Áfàméfùnà” hits close to home, showcasing a refreshingly nuanced storytelling approach that captures the essence of a people’s narrative. It offers something fresh and transformative, I think it will be profoundly influential in shaping how stories of communities are told. I see myself, along with countless others, referencing its impactful portrayal as a standard for authentic storytelling.
Overall, it was a good watch. Stellar performances, brilliant directing, great production values , it delved deep into the essence of a people, offering an insightful and poignant portrayal that truly does them justice.
My Rating: 8.7/10
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