Popcorn and Plantain

Shaina is the story of Shine, a teenager in Zimbabwe who doesn't believe in herself. In the face of life-altering events, she is forced to rely on her own ingenuity and determination to face her future. It's a story of forgiveness and friendship, of creating a new family from the people who love you, and of the power inside every girl, whether she knows it is there or not. Rooted in human-...

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind  is a 2019  drama  film written, directed by and starring  Chiwetel Ejiofor  in his feature directorial debut. The film is based on the memoir of the same name by  William Kamkwamba  and  Bryan Mealer . It was screened in the Premieres section at the  2019 Sundance Film Festival  and began streaming in most territories on  Netflix  on 1 March 2019. It was selected as...

Hijack '93 is a 2024 Nigerian thriller directed by Robert O. Peters. It dramatises the real-life hijacking of a Nigerian Airways flight in 1993. The film follows four young men—Omar (Skipper), Kayode (Eruku), Ben (Owiwi), and Dayo (Iku)—who, under the guidance of a revolutionary leader named Mallam Jerry, hijack a domestic flight from Lagos to Abuja. They aim to protest Nigeria's military...

Kedibone is a 2020 South African drama directed by Thomas Gumede, available on Netflix. The film follows Kedibone Manamela, a young woman from Soweto with aspirations of becoming an actress. With financial support from her devoted boyfriend, Mrembula, she enrolls in a Johannesburg university. However, Kedibone becomes entangled in the city's glamorous lifestyle, leading her to make choices tha...

In this episode, Abdallah and Mercy have a guest! First guest this year. We have the wonderful Fumnanya Ochei, producer on Uriri which you can watch on African Magic or Showmax. We talk about Grind, and Fumnanya's journey into Nollywood. Enjoy!

In this grim and unforgiving environment, Suky discovers a glimmer of hope, a brutal underground fight club that promises freedom to the strongest. With nothing to lose and revenge fueling his every move, Suky must fight not only for his life but for a chance to reclaim his freedom.

The Women's War was a 1929 revolt in British Nigeria, where a group of women took a stand against social and economic injustice. This historical drama follows the story of these women and their crusade.

Trees of Peace  is a heartfelt film from 2022, beautifully written and directed by Alanna Brown, marking her directorial debut. The story shines a light on the incredible strength of four women—Eliane Umuhire, Charmaine Bingwa, Bola Koleosho, and Ella Cannon. They portray two Tutsi women, a Hutu moderate, and an American volunteer, who find themselves hiding together in a small space beneath a hou...

In this Valentine's Special episode, we talk about Soft Love, the movie. After being jilted on her wedding day, South African online relationship specialist, Zandi Jele, loses faith in love. However, when Nigerian photographer, Edward, crashes into Zandi's life, he fans her dying flames for love back to life.

Welcome back to the pod! We know we have been gone a while, but we're back now. In this episode, we discuss Christmas in Lagos and what to expect in season 2. Enjoy!

In this special episode, we celebrate World Sickle Cell Day by delving into the impactful Nollywood movie "Dazzling Mirage." Directed by the acclaimed Tunde Kelani, this 2014 drama stars Kemi "Lala" Akindoju, Kunle Afolayan, Bimbo Manuel, and a stellar cast, bringing to life the poignant story of a young woman navigating the complexities of living with sickle cell anaemia. Base...

Crossroads depicts university life in 1990s Nigeria, focusing on Eriola, Oyekan, and Fela. Eriola faces family pressure, Oyekan’s gang adds tension, and Eriola confronts false accusations with friends’ support. Threats from Don Smart loom as Fela attempts to shield Eriola, leading to emotional confrontations.

After his friend is found dead, a prominent man is questioned by the police about their complex history together in the Igbo apprenticeship system.

In this episode of "Popcorn and Plantain," hosts Abdul and Mercy review the poignant film "Water and Garri," which follows Aisha, a fashion designer, returning to her homeland after ten years. Amidst escalating violence and high tensions, Aisha reconnects with loved ones and confronts the scars and guilt of her past. Abdul and Mercy delve into the film’s rich narrative, explori...

Mezu discovers he is stuck in a time loop in Nigeria. To his surprise, his colleague Kamsi finds himself in the same situation. Together with friends Tobe, Wasiu and Sola, they unite to escape from the time loop.

Adú is a 2020 Spanish drama film directed by Salvador Calvo, written by Alejandro Hernández and starring Moustapha Oumarou, Luis Tosar and Álvaro Cervantes. The film premiered in Spain on 31 January 2020. The film intertwines three storylines related to African immigration to Europe. A six-year-old boy and his older sister desperately attempt to flee Cameroon for Europe, waiting on a runway to smu...

Hi guys, and welcome back to the podcast. In this episode, we have our first episode outside Nigeria, a movie from Ivory Coast titled Night of the Kings. We hope you enjoy it.

In this episode, Dallah and Mercy talk about two movies from different eras of Nollywood; Kambili and Magun.

Join your faves in this episode, where we talk about the movie Omo Ghetto: The Saga. 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 Gh...

Happy New Year, guys! In this episode, Dallah and Mercy discuss Breath of Life. Narrated by Elijah, the story follows Timi, a young man who excelled academically, spoke 16 languages and became the first African clergyman in the Church of England. After marrying Bridget and having a daughter, he returns to Nigeria, leading a fulfilling life until tragedy strikes. His family falls victim to Baby Fir...

In this episode, Dallah, Mercy and Enny discuss one and a half movies; Christmas in Miami and Juju Stories. Christmas in Miami is the fourth installment of the AKPOS Nollywood film series, featuring Nigerian comedian AYO MAKUN and his family representing Nigeria at the Intercontinental Christmas Fiesta in Miami, Florida. The film explores diversity and unity, emphasizing the importance of Christma...

In this episode, Mercy and Dallah along with our first guest, Enny discuss Eleshin Oba (The King's Horseman). Elesin Oba, The King's Horseman  is a 2022 Yoruba-language Nigerian  historical drama  film directed by  Biyi Bandele  and distributed by  Netflix , based on  Wole Soyinka 's  Death and the King's Horseman , a stage play he wrote while in  Cambridge , where he was a fellow...

In this episode, Mercy and Dallah discuss the 2023 movie The Origin: Madam Koi Koi. The Origin: Madam Koi-Koi  is a 2023 Nollywood two-part  horror film  produced by Jay Franklyn Jituboh and Dale Falola. The film tells the story of the popular  Madam Koi-Koi  myth, which centres on a ghost who haunts dormitories, hallways and toilets in boarding schools at night. [1]  The two-part film started str...

In this episode, Dallah and Mercy introduce themselves and the pod. They discuss the brilliant movie Eyimofe (This is My Desire). Eyimofe (Eyimofe: This Is My Desire), also known as This Is My Desire, is a 2020 Nigerian drama film produced, written, and directed by twin brothers Arie Esiri and Chuko Esiri on their directorial debuts. The film is made up of two chapters called Spain and Italy. The...