Nneka the Pretty Serpent (1994 film)

Last updated

Nneka the Pretty Serpent
Nneka the pretty serpent poster.jpg
Directed by Zeb Ejiro
Written by Zeb Ejiro
Starring Ndidi Obi
Eucharia Anunobi
Rita Nzelu
Sam Loco
Production
companies
Klink Studios
Videosonic Studios
Release dates
  • 1994 (1994)
(Part 1)
  • 1995 (1995)
(Part 2)
Running time
120 minutes
CountryNigeria
Language Igbo

Nneka the Pretty Serpent is a two-part 1994 Nigerian horror drama film directed and written by Zeb Ejiro and produced by Okechukwu Ogunjiofor. It is regarded as the Nollywood movie that started the trend of storylines involving demon-possessed subjects who are cleansed by pastors. [1] [2]

Contents

Plot

Nneka the Pretty Serpent follows the story of a woman who desperately wants to conceive a child of her own. In order to conceive, she meets the river goddess (also referred to as Mami Wata) for help. She promises to dedicate the child to the river goddess for her help. The woman in turn conceives and delivers a female child named Nneka. Nneka possesses supernatural powers which she uses to perpetuate evil; her aim is to seduce prominent married men in order to take their money and souls. Nneka was possessed by the queen mother spirit to kill six people that took her powers in the drama (NNEKA THE PRETTY SERPENT). Each and every one of them had a weakness, the first person's weakness was that he was addicted to women. The second person who is Fatima by name was addicted to perfume.

Cast

Production and release

The film was shot in Igbo with English subtitles. [2] It was set in Lagos. [3]

Reception

The film achieved commercial success despite being shot in Igbo Language and subtitled in English Language. [2] [4] Movies such as Karishika , Sakobi, Izaga, Highway to the Grave and Witches were said to have been influenced by Nneka the Pretty Serpent. [1] [5]

Remake

The remake of Nneka the Pretty Serpent was announced in January 2020 by Charles Okpaleke of Play Network Studios. It was released in cinemas in December 2020 and distributed by Genesis Cinemas and Nairabox. [6] Ndidi Obi was also featured in the remake. [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ramsey Nouah</span> Nigerian actor and director (born 1970)

Ramsey Nouah is a Nigerian actor and director. He won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2010 for his performance in the movie The Figurine. He made his directorial debut with the film Living in Bondage: Breaking Free in 2019 and also went on to direct Nollywood classic Rattle Snake: The Ahanna Story which is a remake of Rattlesnake (1995).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kanayo O. Kanayo</span> Nigerian actor (born 1962)

Anayo Modestus Onyekwere popularly known as Kanayo O. Kanayo is a Nigerian veteran actor and lawyer. In 2006, he won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in the movie Family Battle.

<i>Living in Bondage</i> 1992 Nigerian film

Living in Bondage is a 1992/93 Nigerian two-part drama thriller film directed by Chris Obi Rapu, written by Kenneth Nnebue and Okechukwu Ogunjiofor, produced by Ogunjiofor, and sponsored by Jafac Wine. The film was shot straight-to-video, and starred Kenneth Okonkwo and Nnenna Nwabueze in their breakout roles. It is regarded as the first Nigerian home video which achieved blockbuster success.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">OC Ukeje</span> Nigerian actor

Okechukwu Ukeje, known as OC Ukeje is Nigerian actor,model and musician. He came into prominence after winning the Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO) reality show. He has received several awards including Africa Movie Academy Awards, Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, Nollywood Movies Awards, Best of Nollywood Awards, Nigeria Entertainment Awards and Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards. He has featured in several award-winning films including Two Brides and a Baby, Hoodrush, Alan Poza, Confusion Na Wa and Half of a Yellow Sun.

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ngozi Ezeonu</span> Nigerian actress

Ngozi Ezeonu is a veteran Nigerian actress and former journalist notable for her portrayal of archetypal matriarchs in Nollywood movies. In 2012, she starred in Adesuwa, a role that earned her the Best Supporting Actress nomination at the 8th Africa Movie Academy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Idia Aisien</span> Nigerian-American model, actress and TV presenter (born 1991)

Idia Aisien is a Nigerian-American model, TV presenter, and actress.

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swanky JKA</span> Nigerian actor

Jideofor Kenechukwu Achufusi is a Nigerian actor and model, known professionally as Swanky JKA.

Charles Okpaleke, OON is a Nigerian film producer. His debut film, Living In Bondage: Breaking Free won seven awards at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards 2020, including the Best Movie and Best Overall Movie categories. He has also acquired the rights to remake Nollywood classics including Rattle Snake, Nneka the Pretty Serpent and Glamour Girls.

Jennifer Okere was a Nigerian actress and one of the pioneers of the Nigerian film industry (Nollywood) in the 1990s. Her two ground-breaking Nollywood blockbuster movies, Living in Bondage and Glamour Girls have been re-adapted. She was the posthumous recipient, of the 2016 Afro Heritage Broadcasting and Entertainment Awards (AHBEA) in Houston, Texas.

Steve Gukas is a Nollywood filmmaker, director and producer who believes that films should be used to address the ills of the society.

<i>Rattlesnake</i> (1995 film) 1995 Nigerian film

Rattlesnake is a 1995 Nigerian action film written and directed by Amaka Igwe and produced by Austin Awulonu. It was Amaka Igwe's first foray into making a feature length film and was made in 3 parts. It features Francis Duru, Okechukwu Igwe, Nkem Owoh, Anne Njemanze and Ernest Obi.

<i>Nneka the Pretty Serpent</i> (2020 film) 2020 Nigerian film

Nneka the Pretty Serpent is a 2020 remake of the 1994 horror mystery film of the same name. It was directed by Tosin Igho with Idia Aisien playing the lead role alongside Bovi Ugboma, Bimbo Ademoye, Zack Orji, Shaffy Bello, Beverly Osu and Ndidi Obi. It was written by Adia Uyoyou.

<i>Badamasi</i> 2021 Nigerian film

Badamasi: Portrait of a General is a biopic film about former Nigerian head of state, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB). It was directed by Obi Emelonye and stars Enyinna Nwigwe in the lead role as Babangida. It is the first Nollywood political biopic.

Sakobi is a 1999 Nigerian fantasy film whereby a young man intends to use his daughter for rituals. It was directed and produced by Zeb Ejiro. The movie is also unique with Enya's music which is played especially during sacrifices.

Celebrity Marriage is a Romantic Nigerian Film all about love, relationship and romance. It was directed by Pascal Amanfo and produced by Uchenna Mbunabo. It was released November 17, 2017.

Chris Odeh is a Nigerian film producer and film maker.

References

  1. 1 2 Izuzu, Chibumga (2017-08-24). "Tribute to "Nneka the Pretty Serpent," an influential Nollywood horror movie". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2021-06-23.
  2. 1 2 3 Ndeche, Chidirim (2020-07-05). "Five Classic Nigerian Stories Coming To Cinemas". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2021-06-23.
  3. Nwachukwu-Agbada, J.O.J. (1997-04-26). "Women in Igbo-Language Videos: The Virtuous and the Villainous". Matatu. 19 (1): 67–80. doi:10.1163/18757421-90000256. ISSN   0932-9714.
  4. "Nneka, the Pretty Serpent". Vanguard News. 2014-09-26. Retrieved 2021-08-15.
  5. "Why Nollywood Classics Still Retain an Influence on the Nigerian Film Industry". The Wire. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  6. Udodiong, Inemesit (2020-01-31). "'Nneka The Pretty Serpent': This 1992 Nollywood classic is getting remade - here is what we know so far". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2021-06-23.
  7. Ojo, James (2020-11-30). "Bovi: How I begged for role in 'Nneka the Pretty Serpent' remake". TheCable Lifestyle. Retrieved 2021-06-23.