Ponzi (film)

Last updated

Ponzi
Ponzi film poster.jpg
Theatre poster
Directed by Kayode Kasum
Screenplay byToluwani Obayan
Produced byVincent Okonkwo
Starring
Narrated by Uzoamaka Aniunoh
Production
company
VSL Media
Release date
  • 12 March 2021 (2021-03-12)
Running time
108 minutes
CountryNigeria
LanguageEnglish

Ponzi is a 2021 Nigerian comedy film based on the victims of the 2016 MMM Ponzi scheme. It was written by Toluwani Obayan, produced by Vincent Okonkwo and directed by Kayode Kasum. It stars Jide Kosoko, Chinyere Wilfred, Timini Egbuson, Tope Tedela, Broda Shaggi and Mr Macaroni. It was released theatrically on 12 March 2021. [1]

Contents

Plot

Abeke the omniscient narrator introduces the residents of a close. Chief Olaoba is a wealthy politician who neglects the needs of the community he represents. He however shows up occasionally to distribute money to his constituents. Bob returns from the diaspora and gains the trust of the occupants of the close and convinces them to invest in a get-rich-quick scheme named Richvest. This leads to a series of unexpected events. [2]

Cast

Production and release

The movie is based on the experiences of Nigerians during the 2016 MMM online scheme which promised 30% returns on investment. The scheme inadvertently crashed and put subscribers in distress. In an interview, the movie’s producer, said the project was aimed at sensitising Nigerians to avoid get-rich-quick schemes. [3] It was shot in Lagos but set in Ota, Ogun State. [2] [4]

The movie voice technique was employed as Uzo Aniunoh was both an actress and a narrator. This technique has been used in movies like Fight Club and Memento .

Reception

In a review for Nigerian Entertainment Today , Jerry Chiemeke wrote "The only way for the audience to enjoy this film is to close their eyes to its technical flaws – and they are many. They will probably laugh (a lot), but in the end, a good film transcends giggles, and when it comes down to categorising Nollywood films, this will not be one of the exactly memorable ones." He rated the film a 6/10. [2]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryRecipientResultRef
2022 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards Best Actor in A ComedyTimini EgbusonPending [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timini Egbuson</span> Nigerian actor (born 1987)

Timini Egbuson is a Nigerian film actor.He is known for his roles in popular TV series, Tinsel and now in other Nigerian home videos.

<i>Elevator Baby</i> 2019 Nigerian film

Elevator Baby is a 2019 Nigerian drama thriller film directed by Akay Mason and produced by Niyi Akinmolayan. It was produced by Niyi's production company Anthill Studios, and stars Toyin Abraham, Timini Egbuson, Sambasa Nzeribe, Samuel Olatunji, Emem Ufot and Shafy Bello. Elevator Baby was listed among the highest-grossing Nigerian films of 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uzoamaka Aniunoh</span> Nigerian actor

Uzoamaka Aniunoh is a Nigerian actor, writer, and director.

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

Samuel Animashaun Perry, known professionally as Broda Shaggi, is a Nigerian comedian, actor, songwriter and musician. He is a two-time Best Actor in a Comedy, Movie or TV Series winner at the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards in 2022 and 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sophie Alakija</span> Nigerian actress (born 1994)

Sophie Rammal popularly known as Sophie Alakija, is a Nigerian actress and model who features in the Nigerian film industry.

<i>Fate of Alakada</i> 2020 Nigerian action comedy film

Fate of Alakada: The Party Planner also known as Fate of Alakada is a 2020 Nigerian action comedy film written by Moshood Yakubu Olawale and Ozioma Ogbaji, and directed by Kayode Kasum. The film stars Toyin Abraham, Mercy Eke and Broda Shaggi in the lead roles. This was the fifth film in the Alakada franchise and it was also the sequel to the 2017 comedy film Alakada Reloaded. The film is based on poking fun at social media fakeness and the current Nigerian pop culture. The film had its theatrical release on 1 October 2020 coinciding with the Independence Day of Nigeria and opened to extremely positive reviews. It also became a box office success and also eventually became the highest grossing Nigerian film of 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mr Macaroni</span> Nigerian comedian (born 1993)

Adebowale "Debo" Adedayo, popularly known by his stage name Mr Macaroni, is a Nigerian actor, comedian, and activist. He is known for his online comedy skits and roles in films such as Ponzi (2021), Ayinla (2021), Aníkúlápó (2022), Freedom Way (2024), and Lisabi : The Uprising (2024).

<i>The Therapist</i> 2021 Nigerian drama film by Kayode Kasum

The Therapist is a 2021 Nigerian drama film directed by Kayode Kasum. The film stars Rita Dominic, Michelle Dede, Toyin Abraham in the lead roles. The film was released on 26 March 2021.

<i>Breaded Life</i> 2021 Nigerian comedy-drama film

Breaded Life is a 2021 Nigerian dramedy film written and directed by Biodun Stephen. Co-produced by Biodun Stephen, Tara Ajibulu and Kayode Sowade, it stars Timini Egbuson, Bimbo Ademoye, Tina Mba and Adedimeji Lateef. Breaded Life is a spin-off of the 2016 romantic comedy, Picture Perfect, and contains some of the original cast members.

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

Kayode Kasum is a Nigerian movie director and producer.

<i>Dwindle</i> (film) 2021 Nigerian comedy film

Dwindle is a 2021 Nigerian comedy film based on the story of Sogo and Buta, two friends who hijack a car and venture into cabbing and how their lives take a drastic turn when their path runs into assassins who have just kidnapped the state governor. It was produced by Mimi Bartels for FilmOne Productions and directed by Kayode Kasum and Dare Olaitan.

<i>LOUD</i> 2020 Nigerian musical film

LOUD an abbreviation for Living Out Ur Dreams, is a 2020 Nigerian high school musical television film directed by Umanu Elijah, and produced by Lemuel Bawa and Honesty Bawa as executive producer. LOUD, is known as the first Nigerian high school musical film.

Survivors is a 2022 Nigerian comedy movie that was produced by John Esedafe and directed by Kayode Peter and produced by Tunice Entertainment World.

Gbege, popularly known as the first born saga, is a 2022 Nollywood movie produced and directed by Lancelot Oduwa Imaseun. The movie is centred around the preservation and clarification of Benin Cultures and Traditions and stars popular actors and actresses such as Charles Inojie, Ini Edo, Nosa Rex, Sam Dede, Jide Kosoko, Ebele Okaro, and Omoruyi Akpata.

Joy Grant-Ekong formerly known as Joy Aiyegbeni is a Nigerian television and film producer, director, script supervisor and a production consultant, known for her 2020 drama film Mama Drama and One Too Many.

<i>One Too Many</i> (2022 film) 2022 Nigerian film

One Too Many is a 2022 Nigerian drama film distributed by Netflix. It was directed by Kayode Kasum, produced by Atinuke Akinde and Joy Grant Ekong, and shot in Ibadan, Nigeria.

<i>Something Like Gold</i> 2023 Nigeria drama film

Something Like Gold is a 2023 Nigerian drama film written by Adaeze Ibechukwu and directed by Kayode Kasum. The film centers on a woman who rediscovers love after being left at the altar while confronting the challenges of rebuilding her life following the seizure of her father's wealth. Produced by Sandra Okunzuwa and Ife Olujuyigbe, the film was released in cinemas nationwide on 29 September 2023, and stars Sandra Okunzuwa, Mercy Johnson Okojie, and Timini Egbuson.

Everybody Loves Jenifa is a 2024 comedy drama produced and directed by Funke Akindele and Tunde Olaoye, it serves as continuation of the Jenifa franchise. The cast retains most of the act from the previous instalment and new faces including Funke Akindele, Nancy Isime, Stan Nze, Adedimeji Lateef, Falz, Layi Wasabi, Jackie Appiah, Omowunmi Dada, Chimezie Imo, Patience Ozokwor and others. The film was released to cinema nationwide on 13 December 2024 and continues to tell the story of Jenifa as she faces new challenges of a new neighbour who threatens and begins to outshine her charity organisation, leading to more different confrontation, jealousy and bitterness. Akindele has set the target for the film for N5 billion in ticket sales, emphasizing that she has faith that the film can beat the number she has set.

References

  1. ↑ BN, TV (2021-03-01). "Meet the Star Studded Cast of Kayode Kasum's Comedy Film "Ponzi" + Watch the Trailer". BellaNaija . Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  2. 1 2 3 Chiemeke, Jerry (2021-04-07). "Movie Review: Kayode Kasum's "Ponzi" Is Funny, But Flawed". Nigerian Entertainment Today . Retrieved 2021-08-07.
  3. ↑ Ojo, James (2021-03-09). "Kayode Kasum: People's experience with MMM inspired 'Ponzi'". The Cable Lifestyle. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  4. ↑ "Kayode Kasum and Vincent Okonkwo's Duo Movie Collaboration – "PONZI"". ShockNG. 2021-02-01. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  5. ↑ "2022 Africa Magic Awards Nominees don land- See who dey list". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 2022-03-26.
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.