🎬The movie is a nested narrative about a murder case and uses the opportunity to give us a look into the widely celebrated Igbo apprentice system. A system so culturally honourable, it is deep rooted in the Igbo people and creates an amazing opportunity for mentorship, character development and a budding entrepreneurial system. It is mostly spoken in the Igbo language (English subtitled), with Lagos street Pidgin and English spoken here and there.
🍿I enjoyed watching it, I thought it was brilliant how they were able to narrate the nwa boi apprentice system into the investigation of a murder case. And the switch between the time periods was done really well. I don’t like that some scenes may have been stretched and thereby contributing to the movie’s general slow pace.
🕴🏾I like that they used lesser known actors, maybe new even, to play the characters of young Afam and Paul. It may not have been the crispiest of acting from the throwback apprenticeship scenes, but they did a good job in showing the mannerisms and all the sharp talk you usually hear if you’re stuck in any market looking to buy something from these guys. Man I miss being offered ice cold malt drinks on very hot sunny days lol.
The acting does get better once Paul and Afam’s characters mature enough for actors, Alexx Ekubo and Stan Nze to replace the newbies. And to think I never knew who Stan Nze was until I saw this movie.
I also love Kanayo O Kanayo’s portrayal of a kind Odogwu (translated as Chief), a deviation of what we are used to seeing him as. And how is it that Segun Arinze still looks like he is from the late 90s/00s? I thought these men were already old back then.
❓I did not quite understand the term “Apriko”. I wish they had given more details on it like they did the rest of the other aspects of the apprentice system. If anyone could please explain to me.
🎭For those new to the Nigerian culture, the Igbo people of Nigeria are known as strong business (entrepreneurial) minded people. Their apprentice system builds a solid community in and outside of one’s family and has helped uplift entire families out of poverty and they in turn continue the cycle.
▶️Áfàméfùnà: An Nwa Boi Story is currently streaming on Netflix. Let me know your thoughts when you watch it.