Aníkúlápó is a 2022 Nigerian epic fantasy film produced by Kunle Afolayan and distributed by Netflix. Released on 30 September 2022, it stars Kunle Remi, Bimbo Ademoye, Sola Sobowale,Hakeem Kae-Kazim and Taiwo Hassan.[1][2] The film was shot in Oyo State and Afolayan has described the work as a "Game of Thrones recreated in Nigeria but with a better representation of our culture (Yoruba culture)".[3][4]
| Aníkúlápó | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Kunle Afolayan |
| Screenplay by | Shola Dada |
| Produced by | Kunle Afolayan Omo Omu-Aran |
| Starring | |
Production company | KAP Productions |
| Distributed by | Netflix |
Release date |
|
Running time | 111 minutes |
| Country | Nigeria |
| Language | Yoruba |
Synopsis
editAníkúlápó narrates the story of Saro (played by Kunle Remi) who has recently arrived in Oyo as a stranger and a traditional textile weaver who uses the "aso-ofi" loom and technique. Saro has an illicit romance with Queen Arolake (played by Bimbo Ademoye) who has an unhappy marriage because she is hated by the King's wives and is also uninterested in the king, but it is her duty to lay with him. She is also young and uninterested in the older king's constant attention. His favoritism brings up rivalries with the other, older queens, who mistreat her. She and Saro fall in love. As they make plans to elope, word of their affair gets to the king, who sentences Saro to death. Based on the mythical Akala bird which wakes him from death, Saro, through the astute actions of Arolake, gains the power to resurrect the dead through a gourd stolen by Aroloke, and earns the name, Anikulapo (Aníkúlápó), which means the "one that holds death in his purse." As Saro becomes popular in their new village Ojumo, he sets amorous eyes on other women and betrays Arolake. His excessive pride is his hubris as he begins to make inordinate demands from the villagers before he can raise the dead. When Arolake hears that Saro has asked for the king's daughter before he can restore life to the king's heir, she undermines the source of his power and deserts him. Saro fails to resurrect the prince and discovers he no longer has the power to tame death.
Cast
edit- Kunle Remi as Saro, the weaver[5]
- Bimbo Ademoye as Queen Arolake, the youngest Oyo queen[5]
- Hakeem Kae-Kazim as Oba Aderoju of Ojumo
- Sola Sobowale as Awarun, the businesswoman who runs a ceramics workshop / factory
- Taiwo Hassan as Alaafin Ademuyiwa
- Ropo Ewenla as Asohun Oba for Ojumo town
- Faithia Balogun as Ojumo Queen
- Kareem Adepoju as Ojuma Chief
- Eyiyemi Afolayan as Omowunmi, Daughter of one of the Alaafin Queens (this actress, the director's daughter, makes her feature film debut here).[6]
- Adebowale Adedayo (Mr Macaroni) as Akanji, an Oyo citizen who gives Saro advice
- Oga Bello as Oyo Chief
- Moji Olayiwola
- Aisha Lawal as Olori Sukanmi
- Dele Odule
- Yinka Quadri as Ojumo Hunter
- Ariyike Owolagba as Omowon
Production
editAnikulapo, which is Kunle Afolayan's production in partnership with Netflix, was produced and shot by Jonathan Kovel at the recently launched KAP resort in a village in Oyo State,[7] it was produced and shot on a 40 acres (16 ha) with all infrastructure and buildings all built from scratch to suit the production while also intending to make it a film village.[8] The production also featured the filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan's daughter, Eyiyemi Afolayan, this has been described by BusinessDay as Afolayan "cementing family's legacy" since their dynasty has been known to be in the film industry from their first generation.[6]
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Sola Sobowale | Nominated | [9][10][11][12][13][14] |
| Best Supporting Actor | Yinka Quadri | Nominated | |||
| Taiwo Hassan | Nominated | ||||
| Best Actress | Bimbo Ademoye | Nominated | |||
| Best Indigenous Language – Yoruba | Kunle Afolayan | Won | |||
| Best Costume Designer | Toyin Ogundeji | Nominated | |||
| Best Lighting Designer | Lanre Omofaiye | Nominated | |||
| Best Picture Editor | Temitope Folarin | Nominated | |||
| Best Sound Editor | Anu Afolayan | Won | |||
| Best Sound Track | Kent Edunjobi | Won | |||
| Best Make Up | Hakeem Effects Onilogbo | Nominated | |||
| Best Writer | Sola Dada | Won | |||
| Best Cinematographer | Jonathan Kovel | Nominated | |||
| Best Movie West Africa | Kunle Afolayan | Nominated | |||
| Best Overall Movie, Africa | Won | ||||
| Best Director | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ "Kunle Afolayan's Epic 'Anikulapo' Premieres on His Birthdate – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
- ^ Oyero, Ezekiel (15 August 2022). "Netflix releases Anikulapo trailer starring Kunle Remi, Sola Sobowale". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
- ^ BellaNaija.com (2 August 2022). "Kunle Afolayan's Film Anikulapo is Coming to Netflix on September 30!". BellaNaija. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
- ^ Banquet, Naija (2022-09-20). "Anikulapo Movie: All You Need to Know". Naija Banquet. Retrieved 2022-09-20.
- ^ a b "Watch Aníkúlápó | Netflix Official Site". www.netflix.com. Retrieved 2022-10-02.
- ^ a b Udugba, Anthony (17 August 2022). "Afolayan cements family legacy as daughter debuts in Anikulapo movie". Businessday NG. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
- ^ Nwogu, Precious 'Mamazeus' (15 August 2022). "Netflix debuts official trailer for the Kunle Afolayan directed epic Anikulapo". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
- ^ Oke, Jeremiah (26 February 2022). "Anikulapo transforming Nigeria's movie industry, months before its release". Daily Trust. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
- ^ "Full List: Here are all our AMVCA 9 Nominees". AMVCA - Full List: Here are all our AMVCA 9 Nominees. Retrieved 2023-04-23.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "AMVCA 2023: Full list of winners as Anikulapo, Brotherhood win big – The Sun Nigeria". The Sun Nigeria. 2023-05-21. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
- ^ Abulude, Samuel (2023-05-20). "Movie 'Anikulapo' In Harvest Of Awards At AMVCA 2023". Leadership News. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
- ^ Orodare, Michael (2023-05-20). "Kent Edunjobi Wins First AMVCA For 'Anikulapo' Soundtrack". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
- ^ "'Anikulapo' wins Overall Best Movie at 2023 AMVCA". Daily Trust. 2023-05-21. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
- ^ Bankole, Idowu (2023-05-21). "Glitz, glamour at 2023 AMVCA as 'Anikulapo' wins big". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
