‘Confusion na wa’, ‘Man on ground’, ‘Flower girl’… we present the 10 best films of 2013

by Wilfred Okiche

Flower-Girl-Official-Poster

The annual best 10 films is always one of the toughest to come up with and this year has been no different. Yes more and more films are getting wide theater releases but even that is no guarantee of quality as all sorts are premiered and screened these days. We went through all the films we have seen this year and present the best 10 of them. In ascending order.

10) Covert affairs

This one was all over the place and not particularly tidy. But it had ideas not completely translated to the screen, a wild script, multiple storylines tied together at the end (sorta) and a memorable supporting turn from Yemi Blaq. The year’s play for a racy action flick.

9) Unforgivable

Also known as the film in which Dayo Amusa got Mike Ezunronye to speak a few lines of Yoruba. Beyond that however, ‘Unforgivable’ is a surprisingly wrenching dramedy of a woman’s grief when stuck in the cycle of domestic abuse. One of the year’s better surprises.

8) Murder at prime suites

This murder mystery is obviously inspired by the true life story of Cynthia Okusogu, an undergraduate who was killed in cold blood by persons she hooked up with on the internet. For the film adaptation, Joseph Benjamin and Keira Hewatch are the detectives assigned to the case of a missing student. The film could have been less obvious with the life lessons but it approaches it’s subject matter with taste.

7) The gods are still not to blame

This film adaptation of Ola Rotimi’s classic play may be big on costumes and dramatic moments but it is also a touching, affecting adaptation and strives (not always succesfully) to honour the true grit of the play.

6) Torn

‘Torn’ takes on a weighty issue like mental incapacity and does not treat it with kid gloves, seeking out sympathy for afflicted persons and sporting a stellar turn by Ireti Doyle. Directed by Moses Inwang and co-starring Joseph Benjamin and Monalisa Chinda, ‘Torn’ succeds in rebounding from a shaky beginning.

5) Journey to self

Films don’t scream chick flick more than this all female star cast. And indeed it is. Fine actors like Femi Jacobs, Femi Brainard and Chris Attoh are relegated to the background but with the fine direction and breezy screenplay, it is hard to notice. We did anyway.

4) The Awakening

For the anime sequence alone, this supernatural thriller makes our list. For the added pleasure of seeing O.C Ukeje in the lead (one of his finer outings) as a young man thrust into solving a decades old puzzle with a nosy journalist (Kehinde Badmus), it definitely deserves the number 4 spot.

3) Flower girl

The most enjoyable crowd pleaser of the year arrived in the form of Michelle Bello’s rom com about a young lady’s search for her perfect ending. ‘Flower girl’ is sweet, charming and everyone involved in it comes out looking good. Even Eku Edewor.

2) Man on ground

Akin Omotosho’s xenophobia drama may have been awarded last year but it only secured wide release early this year. It is a bit cold and easier to admire than to like but none can deny the weighty production values involved. The cinematography, editing and effects ensured it stood out from the pack.

1) Confusion na wa

Kenneth Gyang’s AMAA winner is a shinning example to film makers across the country. No use gathering a fine cast if you do not know what to do with them. The unusual but simple setup, fine acting and message that sometimes, life just happens- without rhyme or reason- is the finest 2hours we saw in the big screen this year.

 

– The writer tweets from @drwill20

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