THE LOCAL & FLY

A good number of Nollywood movies released each year barely make an impression on people. The 1992 Nollywood movie ‘Living in Bondage’ (LIB) sticks out in so many ways.

It made a huge difference in its genre and the film industry itself. Sometimes we imagine where Nollywood would be without this movie which almost entirely formed what we know as the Nigerian film industry today.

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At the time of its release, a lot of today’s filmmakers were still blossoming or weren’t even in the industry yet. However, many including Ramsey Nouah were influenced by it and he has now decided to venerate LIB with a sequel.

What were the influences that ‘Living in Bondage’ had on Nollywood and Nigeria?

Following the success of the movie in 1992, Nollywood saw a new way to make cash from movies. A countless number of movies with similar stories came after its success. Here’s a look at other basic influence it had on Nollywood and Nigeria at large:

• People still make references to ‘Living in Bondage’ when they talk about ritual money in Nigeria.
• ‘Living in Bondage’ fueled the gore in cult Nigerian movies. A lot of movies that came after it copied its concept. Using the same template, Nollywood has structured many movies and the main characters almost have to repeat the same actions. Some of the movies below were made with the LIB structure:

1. ‘Knights of the Night’ – Clem Ohameze, Pete Edochie
2. ‘Billionaires Club’ – Kenneth Okonkwo 
3. ‘Blood Money’ – Zach Orji
4. ‘Dogs Meeting’ –  Pete Edochie
5. ‘Dons in Abuja’ – Steve Eboh, Enebeli Elebuwa
6. ‘Rituals’ – Kanayo .O. Kanayo
7. ‘End of Money’ – Ejike Asiegbu
8. ‘End of the Wicked’ – Alex Usifo

• One moral value that many drew from LIB is being forgiving. Rita Nzelu’s character (Tina) who almost got killed for money by Andy Okeke (Kenneth Okonkwo) forgave him and helped him get better.
• Pentecostalism in Nigeria suddenly leapt after 1992 onwards. Many started growing their faith in God just by watching a scene where Andy Okeke was delivered from mental illness in a pentecostal church.

About upcoming ‘Living in Bondage’ sequel

‘Living in Bondage’ blows plenty of nostalgic wind if we look back to the days when money rituals were at its peak in Nigeria.

The sequel is due to drop on 8 November and the feeling you get from hearing that all the ‘Living in Bondage’ guys are coming together again after 27 years for a sequel is inexplicable. The teaser first hit us like a narcos movie or one of those transporter movies.

However, if we were to say, from its description, we are expecting a more narcos-like movie. With the display of flashy cars and private jet, you are in for a Nollywood treat. We like surprises really, but who in God’s name gave Andy Okeke a son?

LIB Trivia:

• The movie that everyone came to know Nollywood for, ‘Living in Bondage’ has no single award to its name. But it is understandable because there weren’t any award programs available at the time.
• The actors of the original ‘Living in Bondage’ movie are still some of the most influential actors in Nollywood today.

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