A CINEMATIC JOURNEY OF LOVE IN THE NOLLYWOOD INDUSTRY
Nigerian cinema has come a long way. It used to be known for cheesy and clichéd love stories, but now it tells more unique narratives. In this article, we look at six Nigerian movies that show how different kinds of love are portrayed. These films offer diverse perspectives on love in Nigerian society.
Produced By: Elijah Anawana
Directed By: Great Valentine Edochie
Tangled Hearts, the uprising Nigerian HIT movie, starring Eddie Watson and Venita Akpofure, premiered June 7, 2024, on the YouTube platform. Similar, but yet different from its rivalries, Tangled Hearts depicts the usual, classy-romantic drama of a happily wedded couple that faces several challenges, from family influence on outside lovers, with a sprinkle of sister quarrels, where both find affection for a particular man. Having a dominant theme, lust, also known as worldly love, Tangled Hearts consists of several other themes including anger and desperation, which were portrayed by the characters of the movie. In Tangled Hearts, the theme of love is depicted in several ways.
Looking into the lives of the couple, Nnamdi and Uzohma, we can see several times where the role of “worldly love” plays in their relationship. Nnamdi, in several ways, has approached Uzoh, having to care and feel affection for her, and does so consistently even when his wife is unwilling to see it. On the other hand, although, not so often has Uzoh shown her love for her husband.
Another scenario of Lust surrounds Isiomah, frequently referred to as Isi, who constantly shows the viewers her lustful desires for her sister’s audience. The character of Isi as a kind, innocent university student and baby sister of Uzoh changed as soon as she laid eyes on Nnamdi. This lustful nature of hers was fully depicted when she successfully seduced Nnamdi, eventually impregnating her. Other scenes that heightened this theme were when we see Nnamdi and Isi dancing so close together, at Chiefs and Adah’s party.
The lustfulness of this fictional story was caused as a result of Uzohma’s irresponsibility as a wife to Nnamdi and Isiomah’s greed, which ultimately led to her downfall and the loss of her baby.
~Babs-Enoch Temitope
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