Living in Bondage, Glamour Girls, and 6 Other Movie Classics That Defined Nollywood

• Before streaming platforms and cinemas, there was a time when Nollywood ruled the screens through VHS tapes and CD rentals.
• A handful of these unforgettable films not only entertained millions but also helped lay the foundation of the Nollywood industry
• Among them are Living in Bondage, Karishika, and 6 other classics that continue to reverberate through the Nigerian entertainment history

Nigerian cinema has experienced significant growth, particularly since the production of the iconic 'Living in Bondage' produced in the early 1990s.

Over the years, a wave of revolutionary films had emerged, changing and dictating the pace of storytelling.

Legit.ng presents eight classic Nollywood films that made the childhood of Nigerian millennials.

Living in Bondage produced in 1992

Living in Bondage is a paranormal thriller about Andy Okeke (Kenneth Okonkwo), who sacrifices his wife for money and suffers the repercussions. The film depicts the narrative of a man who joins a secret cult, kills his wife in a ritual sacrifice, receives tremendous wealth as a reward, and is thereafter haunted by his late wife's spirit.

It is widely considered the film that gave birth to Nollywood, as its popularity laid the groundwork for Nigeria's direct-to-video film market and established VHS as a viable medium for filmmaking.

Chris Obi Rapu and stars old-time stars like Kenneth Okonkwo, Nnenna Nwabueze, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Francis Agu, and Okechukwu Ogunjiofor directed the iconic movie.

Nneka the Pretty Serpent produced in 1994

Nneka the Pretty Serpent is a Nigerian horror movie produced in 1994.

The film, directed and written by Zeb Ejiro, is recognised as the first Nollywood film to include demon-possessed people who were eventually delivered by pastors after their roles.

The story revolves around a woman who is desperate to have a child. In her search for help, she finds the river goddess (also known as Mami Wata) and agrees to give her kid to her in exchange for assistance. The woman finally conceives and gives birth to a daughter, Nneka.

It stars Okechukwu Ogunjiofor, Eucharia Anunobi, Ngozi Ezeonu, Rita Nzelu, Sam Loco, and the outstanding Ndidi Obi in the lead part.

Glamour Girls produced in I994

The renowned movie Glamour Girls was directed by Chika Onukwu. It tells the story of young women who enter the world of "street girls" while grappling with their goals, desires, and societal standards.

Set in Nigeria's historically patriarchal society, the drama follows independent, unmarried women as they navigate their lives. Andra, portrayed by the late Jennifer Okereke, moves to Lagos in search of better chances. She is helped by her friend Doris, played by Gloria Anozie.

Sandra's life changes when she meets affluent Esiri, who proposes marriage and a job at his bank. Her decision between him and struggling job seeker Dennis, played by Pat Attah, causes strife.

Part two of the movie, produced in 1996, digs deeper into their struggle with street girls for survival. This two-part classic was a huge hit in Nigeria that it was remade into a Netflix series in June 2022.

Rattlesnake produced in 1995

The movie Rattlesnake, directed by Amaka Igwe, depicts the narrative of Ahanna Okolo, played by Francis Duru (younger character) and Okechukwu (older character), who loses his father under dubious circumstances as a boy and goes on to commit crimes.

Ahanna supports his siblings with the earnings from his illicit activities. He goes on to live a double life as a respectable businessman and an armed robber. The movie stars movie legends like Francis Duru, Nkem Owoh, Emeka Ike, Kanayo O Kanayo, Sunny McDon, Ebele Uzochukwu, and Okechukwu Igwe.

Karishika produced in1996

This remarkable movie focuses on Karishika, a demon queen sent by Satan to entice humans. She takes advantage of their vulnerabilities, greed, passion, and desire to lead them into wickedness and damnation.

Only a strong-willed pastor resists her seduction, resulting in an ultimate confrontation between good and evil.

The movie stars notable actors like Becky Okorie, Bob-Manuel Udokwu, Sandra Achums, Ifeanyi Ikpoenyi, and Obi Madubogwu.

Igodo produced in 1999

Igodo follows the narrative of a community plagued by demonic spirits and sorcery. The only way to defeat these evil spirits is for the men of the village to travel to the evil forest and retrieve a sword with incredible powers to fight bad spirits.

Igodo joins this trip to the evil forest, encountering different adventures along the way.

Directed by Andy Amenechi, it features notable faces like Sam Dede, Pete Edochie, Norbert Young, Charles Okafor, and Prince James Uche.

Diamond Ring produced in 1998

The plot of Diamond Ring revolves around the fight between Mrs Gladys' ghost and members of Chidi's cult group, XG.

Chidi, a freshman at university and the only child of his parents, Chief and Mrs Ijeoma Dike, steals a diamond ring from Mrs Gladys' body to demonstrate his suitability for a life in the hidden cult. Mrs Gladys' spirit also haunts Chidi and his companions. The cult members began to die in succession.

Directed by Tade Ogidan, the remarkable stars Richard Mofe Damijo, Teju Babyface, Sola Sobowale, Bukky Ajayi, and Liz Benson.

Sakobi: The Snake Girl produced in 1999

Zeb Ejiro directed Sakobi: The Snake Girl, a 1998 Nigerian fantasy horror film.

The film depicts Frank, who craves wealth and meets Sakobi, a supernatural figure who promises him riches in exchange for performing a horrific sacrifice involving his daughter.

Unfortunately for Francis, the Kongodi reject his daughter, and he is sentenced to a short life. The cast for the movie includes Saint Obi, Susan Patrick, Tony Umez, Edith Ujay, Sunday Omobolanle, and Zik Okafor.

Source: Legit.ng