From "Ojukokoro" to "Picture Perfect," check out top 10 Nollywood movies of 2017.
The year 2017 has seen quite a number of outstanding, good, average and mediocre film productions.
Pulse Movies has put together 10 well-written, superbly acted, and beautifully shot movies that entertained and impressed us this year.
This list is not based on popularity.
Check them out.
10. "Roti"
A tribute to those coping with the loss and effects of losing a loved one, Kunle Afolayan's "Roti" is a psychological drama that explores the pain and loss felt by parents who lose a child they waited 10 years to have.
Kate Henshaw and Afolayan give great performances of grief-stricken parents on a journey of recovery, with Henshaw absorbing herself into the character, so much that her pain is almost real.
Its treatment of a sensitive topic such as mental illness is applaudable. It takes away spiritualism and tackles mental instability in the best way possible.
9. “Through the Eyes”
A well interpreted short film, "Through Her Eyes" plays out like a prospectus for a feature. The director Nadine Ibrahim uses the movie as a springboard to address a very topical issue; the rise of child terrorists.
In "Through the Eyes," Azeeza, a young girl abducted by a terrorist group is forced to witness and do things that tarnish her life forever.
Out of the daily heartbreaking life events, Nadine carves out a thought provoking screenplay worth applauding.
8. "Picture Perfect"
"Picture Perfect" follows the relationship between a posh tailor Kumbi and a notorious area boy, Jobe.
The movie employs the depth of emotions needed to engage the audience while it focuses on classism, friendship, fate, love, redemption and beauty in imperfection.
Directed by Tope Alake, and written and produced by Biodun Stephen, the movie lives up to its title. It also makes proper use of indigenous language to entertain and elicit its laugh-out-loud moments.
Its ending leaves you with a sense of satisfaction - one of those that tug at your heartstrings without trying to shove an unnecessary love story down your throat.
7. "Bariga Sugar"
A short film set in the mid-90s in a ghetto brothel in Lagos, Ifeoma Nkiruka Chukwuogo's "Bariga Sugar" is an emotional one that conveys the deep sense of humanity.
The film tells the story of an 8-year-old Ese, who lives in Bariga Sugar, a ghetto brothel owned by Madam Sugar in Lagos.
One day, 10-year-old Jamil and his mother Hanatu move into the brothel. Often neglected, lonely and socially awkward, Ese and Jamil begin an unlikely friendship.
Its beauty is not in its 'high quality' production but in its authentic and relatable story, and setting.
6. Hell or High Water
The Asurf Oluseyi's short movie doesn't justify, support or condemn homosexuality. It simply starts a necessary conversation about homophobia, sexuality and religion in Nigeria.
"Hell or High Water" tells the story of a young married pastor, who is loved and adored by the members of his church.
Things take a different turn for him when he has to confront his sexuality - an act that breaks him spiritually, emotionally and psychologically.
Perfectly interpreted by Enyinna Nwigwe and Daniel K Daniel, the film avoids popular clichés that are usually seen in Nollywood movies with homosexuality themes.
5. "Isoken"
In her debut feature movie, Jade Osiberu tells the story of the universal and overwhelming pressure women and even men, face to get married, with Dakore Akande leading a star-studded cast.
Despite being a familiar and exhausted topic in Nigeria, "Isoken" still fleshes out the issue of marital pressure in all of its raw, hilarious, messy, and complicated glory
The laughs are accompanied by insights into friendship, love, societal pressure, self-confidence, courage and stereotypes.
"Isoken" explores a lot of topical issues. Maybe not in-depth, but enough to kick off conversations on various social media platforms.
4. “Hakkunde”
Asurf Oluseyi's debut feature film "Hakkunde," is as emotional as it is entertaining.
With an inspiring story, applaudable performances, magical shots and music, Oluseyi delivers one of the best movies of the year.
This inspiring drama centers around a young graduate Akande (Kunle Idowu AKA Frank Donga) who is on a journey to self- discovery.
Packed with powerful messages, "Hakkunde" focuses on self-actualization, relationships, and the role of ignorance in societal development.
3. "Slow Country"
A hybrid of the romance and action genre, the Eric Aghimien movie follows the story of a homeless teenage mother, Kome, who finds herself trapped in prostitution and drug trafficking for seven years in order to secure a good life for her son.
On the basis of stunts and special effects, "Slow Country" is a visual delight. It is rich with apt acting and stunning cinematography.
Not every movie has a moral lesson and "Slow Country" is one of those without one. It's simply a well-made action thriller that highlights the plight of some single mothers and prostitutes.
2. "A Hotel Called Memory"
“A Hotel Called Memory” is a Nigerian movie with no dialogue, creating room for various interpretations and capable of lodging itself in your memory for a very long time.
It is a brave project that fearlessly breaks down cliche of genres in the Nigerian film industry. Without dialogue, the actors are left with just gestures, movements and expressions to tell the story and connect with the audience - a task they succeed at.
Another spectacular thing about “A Hotel Called Memory” is its breathtaking visuals. A magic created by just the director and his cameraman, using natural light with a Sony A7S camera on a 45mm swing shift with tilt lenses.
The film is directed by Akin Omotoso and produced by Ego Boyo.
1. "Ojukokoro"
Dare Olaitan's "Ojukokoro" captures the brutality that comes with violence, and still finds a way to play it simultaneously with funny scenarios and witty conversations.
The movie features an ensemble cast that inadvertently merges together to give viewers a clear understanding of their different characters.
Mixed with violence and humour, the comedy/crime-heist about a money-strapped manager of a shady Petrol Station, who decides to rob his employers, but along the line finds out in a sudden twist that he is not alone in his ambition, is an entertaining watch.