We are doing a little movie throwback. So, we decided to go back and re-watch some of the great African movies of the past. Go through the list to see what kind of movie genre people were watching at the year you were born. You will also understand why it was trending at the time. We could go all the way back to the 14th century, but we have cut the list down. We will begin with African movies made in the 80s, the year many millennials were born.
‘The Gods Must Be Crazy’ – 1980
A Coca-Cola bottle falls from a plane and lands in a remote location where tribal African people live. This sets the entire community in a fight. The tribal leader then decides to restore peace by taking the bottle back.
‘King Solomon’s Mines’ – 1985
Americans who were on a mission to find a missing person were led through the wilds of Africa. While there, they will have to contend with mean natives and take several risks.
‘Shaka Zulu’ – 1987
Shaka Zulu is the true story of the rise and fall of legendary African warrior of the same name.
‘Sarafina’ – 1992
During the apartheid era in South Africa, a teacher who stood against all the laws of the apartheid led her students to war against colonisation.
‘Living in Bondage’ – 1992
This popular Igbo Nigerian movie gave Nollywood a voice today. In the movie, desperation and want leads a man into ritual activities that result in the death of his wife.
‘Mr Bones’ – 2001
The heir to the the throne of a South African tribe who was missing accidentally lands in front of the King his father.
‘Aki na Ukwa’ – 2003
This Nigerian movie launched the career of the two mini men Chinedu Ikedieze and Osita Iheme.
‘Hotel Rwanda’ – 2004
In the mid-90s, Rwanda faced some of the worst horrors in the history of humanity and the world did not notice. The movie was made in honour of a common man who did the impossible to save the lives of thousands. He hid them along with his family in a hotel he manages.
‘Princess Tyra’ – 2007
African Princess movies always made life look perfect for princesses. However, in the year this movie was made, that narrative changed. Life isn’t always perfect even for a princess.
‘Jenifa’ – 2008
Jenifa is a titular character created by one of Nigeria’s best actresses Funke Akindele. It is currently running as a series.
‘District 9’ – 2009
This is a display of the hell and heaven of living in the apartheid era of South Africa. Even amongst the locals, there was segregation.
‘Half of Yellow Sun’ – 2013
The creation of Biafra as an independent nation draws two sisters into a mess. Both their relationships and family were caught up in the war.
‘The Wedding Party’ – 2016
The Wedding Party was the highest grossing Nigerian movie of 2016. It has since remained one of the most dramatic wedding movies from Nigeria.
‘Rafiki’ – 2018
You have to watch this movie to see why it was controversial in Kenya.
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