Battle on Buka Street

Last updated

Battle on Buka Street
Battle on Buka Street Poster.jpg
Promotional poster
Directed by Funke Akindele
Tobi Makinde
Written by Funke Akindele
Jack'enneth Opukeme
Stephen Oluboyo
Jemine Edukugbe
Story byJack'enneth Opukeme
Produced by Funke Akindele
Nicole Ofoegbu
FilmOne Studio
Starring Funke Akindele
Mercy Johnson
Sola Sobowale
Tina Mba
Nkem Owoh
Femi Jacobs
Kelvin Ikeduba
CinematographyAdeoluwa 'Captain Dezgy' Owu
Edited byValentine Chukwuma
Music byMartinsfeelz
Adam Songbird
Tolu Obanro
Kleb Shout
Yomi Olabisi
Simi Dada
Production
company
Funke Ayotunde Akindele Network (FAAN)
Distributed byFilmOne Distribution
Release date
  • 16 December 2022 (2022-12-16)
Running time
140 Minutes
CountryNigeria
LanguagesEnglish, Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Nigerian Pidgin
Box office₦668,423,056 [1]

Battle on Buka Street is a 2022 Nigerian comedy drama film directed by Funke Akindele and Tobi Makinde. [2] The film is jointly produced as a collaboration between Funke Ayotunde Akindele Network (FAAN) and FilmOne Studios. [3] The film had its theatrical release on 16 December 2022 and opened to extremely positive reviews from critics. The film became a huge box office success. [4]

Contents

Plot

Yejide runs the most patronized buka (stall) in Otanwa community's "Buka Street" with help from her mother Asake and her children. However, her step-sister and archenemy Awele buys the neighbouring shop one day and starts competing. Their rivalry dates back to before their childhood; their mothers, Asake and Ezinne, both married to their father Meduka, were jealous and conflicted with each other, and this carried on to their children.

At first, Awele fails to attract customers away from Yejide's buka, so she turns to sabotage: she sends her younger twins Kaira and Kaiso to lock Awele in Maduka's house so she can't make her stews. This works and people flock to Awele's restaurant instead, starting a series of retaliatory acts where Awele and Yejide try to curry favor in the town and send their children to attack each other's buka by planting rats and cockroaches. Meanwhile, they lie to the rest of the family that Awele's oldest daughter Ifunnaya and Yejide's son Ademide are going to America and Canada respectively. In fact, they both went to Lagos, where they end up meeting and helping each other escape their problems despite the rivalry before returning to Otanwa.

Things go too far when Yejide's daughter Fadekami replaces the kerosene with petrol at Awele's buka without her mother's knowledge, causing the shop to burn and making Yejide question the rivalry despite Asake's continued zeal. Meanwhile, Ezinne, who has been getting sicker, expresses regret for stoking the rivalry and dies after asking Awele to stop the conflict. Despite this, the two utilize differing spiritual paths to try to take the other down, but end up failing.

A prison break occurs nearby, terrorizing the town as the inmates destroy and rob the shops on Buka Street but also allowing Yejide's husband Lanshile, who took the fall for Yejide after she killed his rival in self-defence and was held for years without trial, to escape. At first, their children, who don't know the truth, resent his arrival, particularly as Ademide was affected by the stigma of being his son and was appointed to perform at the youth carnival. However, they reconcile after Yejide reveals the actual events. At the carnival, the other escapees cause a stampede; Ademide rescues Ifunnaya and takes her to Lanshile's hideout to recover as it is the closest option. Awele finds them and calls the youth organizers, who come ready to mete out vigilante justice. However, the children and Yejide convince her to end the rivalry and she ultimately covers for Lanshile, ending the film with his escape.

Cast

Production

The film project marked the third cinematic directorial venture for actress Funke Akindele after Your Excellency and Omo Ghetto: The Saga . [6] The film also possibly marked the final film venture for Funke Akindele who has insisted to join politics and to run as a frontrunner in the election. [7]

Box office

It became the second highest grossing Nigerian film of the year 2022 just behind Brotherhood grossing about ₦200,087,222 at the box office. [8] [9] The film surpassed Avatar: The Way of Water as the highest-grossing film in Nigeria during the Christmas weekend grossing almost ₦50 million at the box office. [10] The film also grossed ₦26 million at the box office on 25 December 2022 coinciding with Christmas making it the highest grossing Nigerian film on a single day in 2022. [4]

The theatrical run for the film came to an end on the 13th of April 2023, after 17 weeks at the box office with a gross box office of ₦668,423,056.

It finished as the highest-grossing Nigerian film of all time displacing Omo Ghetto: The Saga with a gross exceeding ₦640 million. [11]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryRecipientResultRef
2023 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards Best Actress In A Comedy/TV Series Mercy Johnson Nominated [12]
Funke Akindele Nominated
Best Actor In A Comedy/TV Series Nkem Owoh Nominated
Best Art DirectorOlatunji AfolayanNominated
Best Picture EditorValentine ChukwumaNominated
Best Sound EditorKolade Morakinyo & Pius FatokeNominated
Best Sound TrackGbas Gbos by Tolu Obanro & Adam SongbirdNominated
Best Make Up Hakeem Effects Onilogbo & Jemila SedikNominated
Best Writer Funke Akindele, Jack'enneth Opukeme, Stephen Oluboyo & Jemine EdukughoNominated
Best Overall Movie Funke Akindele Nominated

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Funke Akindele</span> Nigerian actress and producer (born 1977)

Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele popularly known as Funke Akindele or Jenifa, is a Nigerian filmmaker, actress, director, producer and politician. Akindele starred in the sitcom I Need to Know from 1998 to 2002 and in 2009, she won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, for her role in Jenifa, which brought her to fame. Akindele reprised the role in 2011 sequel The Return of Jenifa and 2015 soft reboot television series titled Jenifa's Diary, for which she was named the Best Actress in a Comedy at the 2016 and 2017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. Akindele won the same award in 2020 and 2022, making it her fifth win for the Best Actress in a Comedy category. Akindele is the most nominated actress/filmmaker at the AMVCA and currently owns six wins which makes her the actress with the most wins. She is the second director to gross over a billion naira at the Nigeria box office and currently the Highest grossing Nigerian Director in Nigerian Box Office with a total Gross of over ₦2.9 billion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bovi</span> Nigerian Comedian

Bovi Ugboma is a Nigerian stand-up comedian, actor, and writer. He has organized popular stand-up comedy concerts like Bovi: Man on Fire across the globe. He is married to Kris Asimonye Ugboma and is 42 years of age.

Robert Peters sometimes credited as Roberts O. Peters is a Nigerian film producer, director, cinematographer, actor, and occasional voice-over artist. He is best known for directing the 2014 Nollywood breakout movie 30 Days in Atlanta, as well as the movies Shades of Attractions (2015), Boxing Day (2016) and A trip to Jamaica (2016) which featured: Ayo Makun, Ramsey Nouah, Richard Mofe Damijo, Vivica Fox, Dan Davies, Lynn Whitfield, Eric Anthony Roberts, Paul Campbell, Funke Akindele, Karlie Redd, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Desmond Elliott, Rasaaq Adoti, and Chet Anekwe amongst others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moses Inwang</span> Nigerian film director (born 1980)

Moses Inwang is a Nigerian film director, producer, editor and screenwriter best known for classic films in the Nollywood mainstream that speak to societal ills and nagging live issues rarely documented in Nigerian films. In 2012, Inwang gained significant recognition for his directorial work in the psychological thriller Torn,⁣ also produced by him, and released in cinemas nationwide in 2013. With multiple nominations, award and recognition bagged from that movie, he went on to direct and produce other hits like Damage, Cold Feet, Stalker, Last 3 digits, Alter Ego, Crazy People, American Driver, Unroyal and lastly Merry Men 2; Ayo Makun (AY)’s blockbuster film, which emerged the 2nd highest-grossing movie of 2019 in Nigeria with a sum of 240 million.

<i>A Trip to Jamaica</i> 2016 Nigerian comedy drama film

A Trip to Jamaica is a 2016 Nigerian comedy drama film directed by Robert Peters starring Ayo Makun, Funke Akindele, Nse Ikpe Etim and Dan Davies (actor). The film tells a story about the adventures of a newly engaged couple in their relatives residence outside Nigeria, and how the secrets of their host led to the eventual breakup of their union amidst the culture shock of the new country and living with upper-class citizens. Though a huge box office success, breaking the record set by 30 Days in Atlanta for the highest-grossing Nigerian film, it received mainly mixed to negative reviews from critics.

Wole Ojo is a Nigerian actor. He broke into the Nigerian scene in 2009, after winning the fourth edition of the Amstel Malta Box Office reality show.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tina Mba</span> Nigerian actress

Tina Mba is a Nigerian actress who was nominated for Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in the 7th Africa Movie Academy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adunni Ade</span> Nigerian actress and model

Adunni Ade is a Nigerian American actress and model. She was born on the 7th of June 1976 in Queens, New York to a German American mother and a Nigerian father from Lagos.

<i>Living in Bondage: Breaking Free</i> 2019 Nigerian film

Living in Bondage: Breaking Free, also known as Living in Bondage II, is a 2019 Nigerian supernatural thriller executive produced by Charles Okpaleke. A sequel to the 1992 classic Living in Bondage, the film stars Kenneth Okonkwo, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Enyinna Nwigwe, and Muna Abii, with Swanky JKA in his breakout role, and Ramsey Nouah, who makes his directorial debut, playing the main villain. It received mostly positive reviews and ranked 11th overall on the list of highest-grossing Nigerian films of all time at the end of its theatrical run. The film premiered on Netflix in May 2020.

Your Excellency is a 2019 Nigerian political satire drama comedy film written and directed by Funke Akindele on her directorial debut. The film stars Akin Lewis and Funke Akindele in the lead roles. The film had its theatrical release across 50 theatres on 13 December 2019 and opened to positive reviews from critics. The film became a box office success and became the fourth highest grossing Nigerian film for the year 2019.

<i>Omo Ghetto: The Saga</i> 2020 Nigerian comedy film

Omo Ghetto: The Saga also known as Omo Ghetto 2 is a 2020 Nigerian gangster comedy film co-directed by Funke Akindele and JJC Skillz. The film stars Funke Akindele, Chioma Akpota, Nancy Isime, Eniola Badmus, Bimbo Thomas, Deyemi Okanlawon and Mercy Aigbe in the lead roles. This was the second film in the Omo Ghetto franchise and it was also the sequel to the 2010 trilogy film Omo Ghetto. The film had its theatrical release coinciding with Christmas on 25 December 2020 and was opened to extremely positive reviews from critics. The film became a box office success and surpassed Fate of Alakada as the highest grossing Nigerian film for the year 2020. As of 26 January 2021, when the film grossed ₦468 million at the box office it surpassed the record of 2016 film The Wedding Party to become the highest ever grossing film in the Nigerian film industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kayode Kasum</span> Nigerian movie director

Kayode Kasum is a Nigerian movie director and producer.

James Amuta is a film producer, director, aerial cinematographer and publicist. He is best known for his documentary film "Nightfall in Lagos" which was nominated for the best documentary film in 2018 by the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Award.

Regina Chukwu is a Nigerian actress, film producer and director.

Precious Diane Yashim, born 28 February 1996 popularly known as Diane Russet is a Filmmaker, Actor, Producer, Business Enthusiast and Ex Big Brother 4 housemate.

Tolulope Obanro known professionally as Tolu Obanro is a Nigerian film composer. He made the score for Gangs of Lagos, Jagun Jagun and A Tribe Called Judah which became the first Nollywood movie to hit 1 billion naira at the box office.

<i>A Tribe Called Judah</i> 2023 Nigerian film

A Tribe Called Judah is a 2023 Nigerian film produced by Funke Akindele and starring Funke Akindele, Timini Egbuson, Jide Kene Achufusi, Uzee Usman, Tobi Makinde Olumide Oworu, Genoveva Umeh, Nse Ikpe Etim, Juliana Olayode, Uzor Arukwe, Fathia Balogun, Yvonne Jegede and many others. The film was released to cinemas nationwide on December 15, 2023. Akindele has said the film is dedicated to her late mother and draws partially from her mother's life.

Tobi Makinde is Nigerian actor and filmmaker. He became popular with his role as 'Timini' in the Nigerian TV series Jenifa's Diary. He co-directed one of the highest Nollywood grossing movie Battle on Buka Street, alongside Funke Akindele. In 2024, he received critical and audience acclaim for his portrayal of 'Shina Judah', a hoodlum in the blockbluster A Tribe Called Judah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Afolarin</span> Nigerian actor

Michael Oladapo Afolarin professionally known as Mike Afolarin is a Nigerian actor, aerial photographer and filmmaker.

References

  1. ↑ "Top 20 films 9th - 11th December 2022 - Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria". www.ceanigeria.com.
  2. ↑ Eze, Chinelo (2023-04-18). "Funke Akindele Reacts; As Battle On Buka Street Gets 10 Nominations". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2023-06-03.
  3. ↑ Abdul-Hafeez, Adedimeji Quayyim (2022-11-22). "Funke Akindele releases trailer for 'Battle on Buka Street'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-12-03.
  4. 1 2 Oboh (2022-12-27). "Funke Akindele's 'Battle on Buka Street' sets Nollywood record with N135m in one day". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
  5. ↑ "Battle on Buka Street - Daily Trust". dailytrust.com. Retrieved 2023-06-03.
  6. ↑ "Funke Akindele Drops Teaser for 'Battle on Buka Street' – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2022-12-03.
  7. ↑ "Funke Akindele: Battle on the Buka Street is a farewell project". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2022-12-17. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
  8. ↑ Oladotun, Shola-Adido (2022-12-24). "MOVIE REVIEW: 'Battle on Buka Street' is perfect film to wrap up 2022". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
  9. ↑ "Top films Weekend 23rd-25th Dec 2022 - Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria". www.ceanigeria.com. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
  10. ↑ Udodiong, Inemesit (2022-12-27). "Funke Akindele's 'Battle on Buka Street' takes over Box Office". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
  11. ↑ "Akindele's 'Battle On Buka Street' becomes Nollywood's highest-grossing film with N640m". TheCable Lifestyle. 2023-02-18. Retrieved 2023-06-03.
  12. ↑ "Full List: Here are all our AMVCA 9 Nominees". AMVCA - Full List: Here are all our AMVCA 9 Nominees. Retrieved 2023-04-23.[ permanent dead link ]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.