''Maami'' (English: ''My Mother'') is a 2011 Nigerian
drama film
In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super ...
produced and directed by
Tunde Kelani
Tunde Kelani (born 26 February 1948), popularly known as TK, is a Nigerian filmmaker. In a career spanning more than four decades, TK specialises in producing movies that promote Nigeria's rich cultural heritage and have a root in documentation ...
. It is based on a novel of the same name, written by
Femi Osofisan
Babafemi Adeyemi Osofisan (born June 16, 1946), known as Femi Osofisan or F.O., is a Nigerian writer noted for his critique of societal problems and his use of African traditional performances and surrealism in some of his plays.
A frequent theme ...
, and adapted to screen by Tunde Babalola. It stars
Funke Akindele
Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele-Bello (born 24 August 1977) popularly known as Funke Akindele or Jenifa, is a Nigerian film actress, politician and producer.Funsho AkinwaleFunke Akindele gives first glimpse of her twins ''The Guardian'' Akindele sta ...
as Maami, along with
Wole Ojo and
Olumide Bakare
Olumide Bakare (26 November 1953 – 22 April 2017) was a Nigerian actor.
Career
Bakare began his acting career in the sitcom ''Koko Close'' where he featured as Chief Koko with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
Selected filmography
* ' ...
. Though the film was a commercial failure, it was generally met with positive critical reviews.
The film which is set two days before the
2010 World Cup
, image = 2010 FIFA World Cup.svg
, size = 200px
, caption = ''Ke Nako. (Tswana and Sotho for "It's time") Celebrate Africa's Humanity'It's time. Celebrate Africa's Humanity'' (English)''Dis tyd. Vier Afrika se mensd ...
tells the story of Kashimawo (Wole Ojo), an international soccer player as he comes to terms with his painful childhood, reflecting on his mother's love for him in the midst of poverty and deprivation, and his estranged father. The film received four nominations at the
7th Africa Movie Academy Awards
The 7th Africa Movie Academy Awards ceremony was held on 27 March 2011 at the Gloryland Cultural Center in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, to honor the best African films of 2010. The nomination ceremony was held at the Ole Sereni Hotel in Nairob ...
; including
Best Nigerian Film,
Achievement in Cinematography,
Best Production Design and Best Child Actor.
Cast
*
Funke Akindele
Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele-Bello (born 24 August 1977) popularly known as Funke Akindele or Jenifa, is a Nigerian film actress, politician and producer.Funsho AkinwaleFunke Akindele gives first glimpse of her twins ''The Guardian'' Akindele sta ...
as Maami
*
Wole Ojo as Kashimawo
*Ayomide Abatti as Young Kashimawo
*Tamilore Kuboye as Dolapo
*
Olumide Bakare
Olumide Bakare (26 November 1953 – 22 April 2017) was a Nigerian actor.
Career
Bakare began his acting career in the sitcom ''Koko Close'' where he featured as Chief Koko with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
Selected filmography
* ' ...
as Otunba Bamisaye
*
Godwin Enakhena
Godwin Enakhena is a Nigerian sports journalist and analyst. He currently serves as the Director of Sports of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries ( M.F.M)
Recognition
In 2014, Godwin Enakhena was awarded the Sports Journalist of the year ...
as Sports presenter
*Sanya Gold as Mr Ojo
*Peter Badejo as NFF secretary
The film features special guest appearances from
Yinka Davies
Yinka Davies (born July 16, 1970) is a Nigerian vocalist, dancer, lyricist and judge of reality show, '' Nigerian Idol.'' Yinka has been in the Nigerian entertainment industry for 28 years.
Pitch
''Slogan – Time has come to speak up for ourse ...
, Kayode Balogun,
Fatai Rolling Dollar
Olayiwola Fatai Olagunju, known professionally as Fatai Rolling Dollar (22 July 1927 – 12 June 2013), was a Nigerian jùjú singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, described by the BBC as a "nationally celebrated performer."
Biography
H ...
, and Biodun Kupoluyi.
Release
The film's official trailer was released on 18 November 2011, a theatrical promotional poster was also unveiled on 30 January 2012. The film premiered on 4 June 2011 at the
Muson centre
MUSON Centre (Musical Society of Nigeria) is a performance hall in Lagos. The multipurpose civic auditorium is located in the heart of Lagos Island, situated between the National Museum, the City Mall, the Onikan Stadium and the former off ...
, Lagos and had the
Governor of Lagos State;
Babatunde Fashola
Babatunde Raji Fashola ( yo, Bàbátúndé Rájí Fáṣọlá; born 28 June 1963) is a Nigerian lawyer and politician currently serving as the Federal Minister of Works and Housing of Nigeria. He served two terms as Governor of Lagos State ...
in attendance. It was also screened on 13 June 2011 at Fountain Hotel,
Ado-Ekiti in commemoration of
June 12. It was screened in film festivals, before it went on general theatrical release on 3 February 2012.
Reception
Critical reception
The film was met with generally positive critical reviews, mostly due to its powerful story and themes.
Nollywood Reinvented gave it 75%, praised the realness of the story, Funke Akindele's performance and noted the film for having memorable quotes and powerful themes. It concluded by stating: "there were a couple weak actors here and there, the story doesn’t strike you as ‘great’ from the beginning but it picks up pace, there are a lot of moments in this movie that are very endearing, you get the feeling that something’s missing in the movie but overall ''Maami'' was a simple delight to watch".
The Africa Channel comments: "Any film that starts with a cacophony of
vuvuzelas is unlikely to hold subtlety as a core value, and ''Maami'' certainly lives up to the reputation of bold filmmaking that Kelani is celebrated for. The plot is engaging and at points disturbing, fraught with theft, emotional blackmail and trickery". Gbenga Adeniji of
The Punch
''The Punch'' is a Nigerian daily newspaper founded On August 8, 1970. Punch Nigeria Limited was registered under the Companies Act of 1968 to engage in the business of publishing newspapers, magazines and other periodicals. It was designed to i ...
comments: "''Maami'' is a moving story which bares it all, yet allows viewers to expand their imagination and engage in sober reflection. It is humorous, meditative and pure. Kelani’s style of movie production salutes the past, recognizes the present and captures the future". Beatriz Leal Riesco of Okay Africa concluded: "This screen adaptation of Femi Osofisan’s eponymous novel harnesses all the ingredients of the present-day Nigerian epic: witchcraft, melodrama, corruption, soccer, and love. With a complex cast of characters featuring top talents, ''Maami'' is a masterpiece of popular cinema, fruit both of Nollywood’s unique cinema industry and the inspired personality of its director, the internationally acclaimed Tunde Kelani".
Toni Kan
Anthony Kan Onwordi known as Toni Kan (born 11 June 1971) is a Nigerian writer, editor, public relations senior management executive, and teacher. He is author of the collection of short stories, ''Nights of a Creaking Bed'', noted for exploring ...
of
DStv
Digital Satellite Television, commonly abbreviated to DStv, is a Sub-Saharan African direct broadcast satellite service owned by MultiChoice and based in Randburg, South Africa. Launched on 6 October 1995, the service provides multiple aud ...
feels the film would be much better as a linear narrative, he faulted Ayomide Abatti's performance and concluded: "''Maami'' is a beautiful movie to watch. It is fast paced and the story grabs you from the very beginning and Kelani’s trademark cinematography shines through," the film exudes "strong messages for our times and Tunde Kelani passes it across beautifully". Wilfred Okiche of
YNaija concludes: "the overall experience is a superior one. It packs an emotional punch and you might just find yourself shedding a tear or two. We realize that good films cost money and have resigned ourselves to the product placements, but thankfully, they keep it tasteful and at a bare minimum here. It is not a perfect film but it is definitely one to watch". 9aijabooksandmovies gave 3 out of 5 stars and comments: "''Maami'' is an emotionally intoxicating movie, where viewers are visually served with large pints of heart touching, tear jerking scenes, stemming from the unconditional love a poor mother has for her only son. It is a beautifully crafted story; Viewers swim laps in the pool of flash backs and stop intermittently to inhale fresh breaths of reality. Despite its short comings more on technical details, ''Maami'' is a must see movie and another good work from Mainframe productions". Fola Akintomide comments: "Generally, the movie ''Maami'' successfully holds her audience bound with an amazing storyline, impressive technical display and exceptional performances by the actors; indeed once again, Nollywood veteran and multiple award winning Tunde Kelani stamped his name as one of the deserving icons in Africa".
The film however still wasn't received well by some critics. Amarachukwu Iwuala of ''
Nigeria Entertainment Today
The Netng (Nigerian Entertainment Today) also known as ''NET'' is an online entertainment news organisation based in Lagos, Nigeria. It is a leading source of African entertainment, fashion and lifestyle news. Netng formed part of NET Newspaper ...
'' gave a mixed review, faulting the character development and concluded: "Obviously, Tunde Kelani, the award-winning Director of ''Oleku'', ''Saworoide'' and ''Thunderbolt'' should have opted for a better adaptation of ''Maami'', the novel by Femi Osofisan". Joseph Edgar of
New Telegraph gave a negative review; although he commended the picture quality and Funke Akindele's performance, he panned everyother aspect of the film, commenting: "I watched ''Magun'' and could not leave my seat when the movie was over. What struck me after watching ''Maami'' was like a car crash. Apart from the cinematic quality which cannot be taken away from him
elanievery other thing was a wreck. The casting was below par, the scripting was hurried and it looked like something that was quickly put together." "I could honestly feel Funke trying to pull this Molue wreck out of the pits, the rest was just journey into the abyss of stupidity". Itunu of The Movie Pencil panned the film and concluded: "Overall, the storyline had no solid foundation and was indecisive". It was listed as one of the 100 greatest foreign-language films.
Box office
The film opened strongly at the theatres. However, earnings dropped considerably after the first week of release and the film was declared a commercial failure at the box office. Although the film was very popular at the time of its release, it did not translate to good business as it was heavily pirated.
Accolades
The film received four nominations at the
7th Africa Movie Academy Awards
The 7th Africa Movie Academy Awards ceremony was held on 27 March 2011 at the Gloryland Cultural Center in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, to honor the best African films of 2010. The nomination ceremony was held at the Ole Sereni Hotel in Nairob ...
, including:
Best Nigerian Film,
Achievement in Cinematography,
Best Production Design and Best Child Actor. It received six nominations at the
2013 Nollywood Movies Awards, including "Best Original Screenplay", "Best Actress in a Leading Role" for Akindele and "Best Indigenous Actor" for Wole Ojo; it won the award for "Best Indigenous Movie" and Akindele won "Best Indigenous Actress" award for her role. The film was also nominated for "Best Film Director" at the
2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards
The 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards was the 8th edition of the ceremony. It was held at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in New York and hosted by Basketmouth.
Award winners Music categories Best Album of the Year
* ''Timaya Upgrade ...
. ''Maami'' also won awards at the
2013 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards
The 2013 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards were held on 9 March 2014 and co-hosted by Big Brother Africa presenter IK Osakioduwa and StarGist’s host, Vimbai Mutinhiri. Ivie Okujaiye and Olu Jacobs were honored with the TrailBlazer and Industry ...
and 2012 ZUMA Festival Awards.
Home media
''Maami'' was released on
VOD on 5 June 2013 through Dobox TV. and was released on DVD by Ajimson company on 14 April 2014. New scenes were shot and added to the Extended edition DVD; According to Kelani, the scenes were present in the original script but he initially decided not to shoot them. The DVD was however heavily pirated in less than 48 hours of its release, leading to a huge loss for Mainframe Studios.
References
External links
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{{Tunde Kelani
Nigerian drama films
English-language Nigerian films
Yoruba-language films
Films set in the 1980s
Films set in 2010
Nigerian nonlinear narrative films
Films shot in Lagos
Films set in Lagos
Films set in Abeokuta
Films shot in Abeokuta
Films directed by Tunde Kelani
Films about sportspeople
2010s coming-of-age drama films
Films based on Nigerian novels
Films about families
2011 drama films
2011 films
Nigerian coming-of-age films
2010s English-language films