Nollywood is the biggest entertainment industry in Africa right now. But they also started somewhere, from the era of VHS tapes to CD, and now streaming platforms.

[ad]

This throwback Thursday, let us look at five classic Nollywood films you might have forgotten. They are some of the films that shaped the industry to where it currently stands today.

Arguably the film that pushed Nollywood itself, “Living in Bondage” is centred around Andy Okeke, a man who makes a deadly pact for wealth.

The film was released in 1992, almost 32 years ago. Produced by Kenneth Nnebue and Chris Obi Rapu proved the power of homegrown video productions.

But importantly it also started the positive competition and rise of Nigerian films.

The early 90’s was a period of impactful stories in the film industry. Next is “Glamour Girls,” another classic that defined early Nollywood.

This 1994 film revealed how young girls against all odds find their way to Lagos, in their pursuit of wealth. The film also opened up the struggles passed through by many Nigerians to survive and lead a meaningful life.

The film was directed by Amaka Igwe, one of the Nigerian leading filmmakers of that era. “Rattlesnake” is a suspenseful thriller that follows Ahanna Okolo, a young man lured into crime.

The film also showed us the power of having a good director and exposed many directors today to what it looked like back then in the art of filmmaking and production processes.

Saving a clan or country has already been portrayed in many films, but Igodo did justice to that in 1999.

A supernatural film, that put together a group of young men, who went on a dangerous journey, to save their village from a curse ravaging its people.

With its rich cultural references and edge-of-your-seat plot, “Igodo” is a unique blend of folklore and cinematic suspense.

Nigeria’s leading comedian, Nkem Omoh starred in “Osuofia in London”’. The comedy compares and brings together the differences between cultures and nationalities.

Osuofia who went on a mission to reclaim inherited properties away from his home had many Nigerian laughter in early 2003. The film remains fans’ favourite.

Nollywood produced a lot of good films back then, and they are still doing so now.

Many have not made it to the list, but remember it is throwback Thursday, everything cannot make it to the list.
[ad]