Living in Bondage

18

Considered as one of the most seminal 90s Nollywood movies, and the starting point of the genre – the highly entertaining Living in Bondage (1992) was directed by Chris Obi Rapu, recognised as the ‘Father of Nollywood’, and stars Nnenna Nwabueze and Kenneth Okonkwo (now considered a ‘Pillar of Nollywood’) in their breakout roles.

Regarded as the first Nigerian home video to achieve blockbuster success, the film was shot with VHS Camcorder, though not of high production value, the direct to home video was innovative at the time.

Watching this film today is incredibly nostalgic, not just in aesthetics – but in narrative and vibe for many Africans and diasporic peoples who grew up watching these films and those like it on VHS at home or at the salon.

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Showing as part of our season Too Much: Melodrama on Film - supported by the BFI and Film Hub North. 

Presented in partnership with Black Women's Project Leeds.