Onye Ozi
Onye Ozi is a 2013 Nigerian comedy film directed by Obi Emelonye.[1] The film won two category awards at the 2014 Nollywood Movies Awards.[2]
| The Messenger | |
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 Theatrical poster | |
| Onye Ozi | |
| Directed by | Obi Emelonye |
| Produced by |
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| Written by | Obi Emelonye |
| Screenplay by | Obi Emelonye |
| Story by |
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| Starring |
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| Music by | Luke Corradine |
| Edited by | Ben Nugent |
| Distributed by | M-Net |
Release date |
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Running time | 89 mins |
| Country |
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| Language | Igbo |
Background and production
Onye Ozi was shot in London and was premiered on October 18, 2013 at The Lighthouse Hall, Camberwell, London.[3] It was produced by Obi Emelonye and Emmanuella Ngozi Ideh with support from Nollywood Movies, London, Screen Nation Pictures and M-Net.[3]
Critical reception
Since it debuted in 2013, Onye Ozi has won multiple awards locally and internationally.[4] Upon its release, Onye Ozi was met with mixed reviews. Sodas & Popcorn, a Nigerian movie blog through BellaNaija cited flaws in the film and further criticized Obi Emelonye's film writing technique stating that, “My issue with his movies have always been the writing. The stories never seem to add up and take he most awkward turns and twists.”[5] YNaija's Wilfred Okichie also gave the film a low rating describing it as an "ultra-low budget independent film".[6]
Cast
- Okey Bakassi as Metumaribe Onuigbo
- Anthony Aclet as Chike
- Stephen Moriaty as TJ
- Ngozi Igwebike as Mkpurunma
- Adesua Atuanya as Adaaugo
- D'Kachy Obi-Emelonye as Ossy
- Chinemerem Okemuo as Ogbenyealu
- Frank Ani as Ofoegbu
- Nkiruka Emelonye as Uju
- King Onuigbo as Father
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award ceremony | Prize | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 2014 Nollywood Movies Awards | Best Diaspora Movie | Won |
| Best Indigenous Film | Won | ||
| 10th Africa Movie Academy Awards | Achievement in Soundtrack | Won | |
| Ousmane Sembene Award for Best Film in An African Language | Nominated | ||
| 2014 Best of Nollywood Awards | Best Comedy of The Year | Nominated | |
| 2015 | 2015 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards | Best Indigenous Language (Igbo) | Won |
| 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Film of The Year (Indigenous Films) | Nominated |
References
- Lindiwe Dovey (10 March 2015). Curating Africa in the Age of Film Festivals. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 254–. ISBN 978-1-137-40414-5.
- Imoh, Noellin (14 October 2014). "Nollywood Movie Awards 2014, ONYE OZI, LABO & SHAMEFUL DECEIT are Nominated!". African Dazzle Magazine. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
- "Onye Ozi (The Messenger): Nollywood Hit Master Obi Emelonye Births Another Classic Movie". 360Nobs. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
- "Igbo films rebound with Onye Ozi". The Nation Newspaper. 23 December 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
- Sodas & Popcorn (19 February 2014). "Sodas & Popcorn –Movie Review: Onye Ozi (The Messenger)". BellaNaija. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
- Okichie, Wilfred (24 February 2014). "Film review: Watch 'Onye Ozi' with low expectations and you won't be disappointed". YNaija. Retrieved 4 February 2016.