Living in Bondage: Breaking Free

Living in Bondage: Breaking Free is a 2019 Nigerian drama thriller film executive produced by Charles Okpaleke and directed by Ramsey Nouah in his directorial debut.[2][3] A sequel to the 1992 classic Living in Bondage, the film stars Kenneth Okonkwo, Kanayo O. Kanayo, and Muna Abii, with Swanky JKA in his breakout role, and Nouah as the main villain.[4][5] It received positive reviews and set box office records, ranking 11th overall on the list of highest-grossing Nigerian films of all time. The film premiered to an international audience on Netflix in May 2020.[6]

Living in Bondage: Breaking Free
Official poster
Directed byRamsey Nouah
Produced bySteve Gukas
Dotun Olakunri
Charles Okpaleke
Screenplay byNicole Asinugo
C.J. Obasi
Story byNicole Asinugo
StarringJide Kene Achufusi
Kenneth Okonkwo
Ramsey Nouah
Music byGeorge Kallis
CinematographyJohn Demps
Edited byRibeiro Anthony
Production
company
Play Network Studios, Natives Filmworks, Michelangelo Productions
Distributed byFilmone
Release date
  • 8 November 2019 (2019-11-08)
Running time
150 minutes
CountryNigeria
LanguageEnglish
Igbo
Nigerian Pidgin
Box office₦168.7million [1]

Plot

Twenty-five years after the events of the original movie, Andy Okeke (Kenneth Okonkwo) has abandoned the secret cult that forced him to kill his wife, and is now an ordained pastor. The cult – now known as Brotherhood of the Six – has expanded into an international organisation with associates of different nationalities, and most of the Nigerian members who survived the Otokoto riots of 1996 have fled the country apart from Chief Omego (Kanayo O. Kanayo), now in the running to become the next Imo governor. The film opens with Omego's son Obinna (Enyinna Nwigwe) murdering his young daughter Kosi (Charlene Chisom Ignatus) as part of a money-making ritual; in a nod to the original, her spirit torments her father throughout the movie, eventually leading to his sudden death towards the end.

Nnamdi Okeke (Swanky JKA) – the secret son of Andy's late second wife Ego – has been raised by maternal relatives Pascal (Zulu Adigwe) and Eunice Nworie (Ebele Okaro), and shares a close bond with his cousin Toby (Shawn Faqua). He is ambitious, but unable to hold down a secure career as an advertising executive five years after graduation. Despite the disaproval of his uncle who is aware of their occultic background, Nnamdi yearns for a luxurious lifestyle by any means possible, and becomes acquainted with the Chief Omego's wife Nneka (Ndidi Obi) and Obinna who offer to help him establish connections in the advertising industry.

During an office presentation where Nnamdi pitches his campaign for a rail network, billionaire Richard Williams (Ramsey Nouah) is impressed by his work. Richard offers to mentor Nnamdi, and the latter is catapulted into high society status, acquiring vast wealth, but his new life comes at a price. Unbeknownst to Nnamdi, Richard is the new leader of The Six, and is on a mission to lure him into their cult. Due to his father Andy's past involvement, his lineage is eternally bound to the dark side. Richard convinces Nnamdi to be initiated, and attempts to persuade Andy back into the fold, which he refuses. Nnamdi later regrets joining The Six, especially after falling for Kelly (Munachi Abii), a guest at Obinna's wedding. Richard and Chief Omego command him to present her as a sacrifice to the cult, and Nnamdi is torn between appeasing the cult and sparing Kelly's life.

Investigative journalist and blogger Uzoma (David Jones) grows suspicious of notable billionaires associated with mysterious murders, particularly after his sister and niece die in mysterious circumstances. Having experienced the dark side of cultism himself, Andy attempts to warn his son after Uzoma informs him of Nnamdi's existence, and tries save him from The Six before time runs out.[7]

Cast

Production

In 2015, Charles Okpaleke[8] acquired the rights to Living In Bondage from the writer Kenneth Nnebue for a possible remake to be filmed in Europe and America as well as Nigeria.[9][10] The news was later confirmed on Instagram, but languished in development hell for three years.[11] In 2018, Nouah announced the film would become a sequel instead of a remake and titled Living in Bondage: Breaking Free, marking his directorial debut.[12] Actors Okonkwo, Udokwu, and Kanayo who featured in the original were retained.[13]

Filming took place on location in Lagos, Owerri, and Durban.

Release

The official trailer of the film was unveiled on 17 October 2019,[14] with a special premiere held on 2 November 2019 at the Filmhouse Cinemas, Lagos; it was rated as one of the most anticipated Nigerian films for 2019.[15] The film had its theatrical release in Nigeria across 52 locations on 8 November 2019.[16]

Reception

Box office

The film was a huge box office success. It recorded the highest opening weekend for a Nigerian film for 2019, grossing ₦25.8 million, and the highest collection in a single day for a Nollywood film in 2019.[17] The film also recorded the highest opening as a non-comedy film for 2019.[18]

In its first seven days of release, the film grossed ₦48.6 million, as reported by the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria.[19] The film collected ₦36.7 million in its second week to remain No. 1 at the Nigerian box office. In the third week, the film collected ₦24.7 million, dropping to No. 2, albeit having the highest weekend admissions. After three weeks it had grossed over ₦100 million. This surpassed the record set by Bling Lagosians.[20] In its fourth week, the film regained the No. 1 spot at the box office and grossed ₦19.6 million over the week. In its 5th week, the film experienced a drop by 38% for its week on week gross, earning ₦12.5 million and dropping to No. 4. The 6th week saw the movie drop to No. 6, earning ₦5.7 million. The 7th week; over the holiday period, the movie grossed ₦5.4 million, dropping by just 6%. The 8th week saw the movie grossed ₦4.6 million staying at No.10 at the Nigerian box office. The final cumulative stood at ₦163.4 million at the box office after 11 weeks.[1] The film ranked eleventh overall, overtaking 30 Days in Atlanta on the list of highest-grossing Nigerian films of all time.[21][22]

The film saw a short theatrical run in March, bringing its total gross to ₦168.7 million [23]

Critical response

Living in Bondage: Breaking Free received positive reviews from film critics and audiences.[24] Entertainment website Pulse Nigeria ranked it first on its list of the Top 10 Nollywood movies of the year.[25] It received critical acclaim for its direction, cinematography, and soundtrack, with critics commending Swanky JKA's performance. Conversely, David Jone David's performance received negative reviews.[26] Gbenga Bada of Pulse Nigeria commended Nouah's directorial execution and role as the villain; Bada also said the film sheds "more light on the existence of occult societies while entertainingly educating the general public".[27]

Awards

At the 2020 edition of the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, Living in Bondage: Breaking Free received 11 nominations and won seven, including Best Overall Movie, Best Movie West Africa and Best Director.[28]

References
  1. "TTop 20 films 20th 26th March 2020". Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria.
  2. StyleVitae (22 October 2019). "Charles Okpaleke Opens Up About Producing 'Living in Bondage'". StyleVitae. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  3. "'Living in Bondage: Breaking Free' is perfect for Ramsey Nouah's directorial debut (Review)". Pulse Nigeria. 31 October 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  4. "Living in Bondage: How 1992 classic changed Nollywood". Pulse Nigeria. 22 November 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  5. "Living in Bondage returns 27 years after with 'Breaking Free'". The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News. 1 November 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  6. https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/living-in-bondage-breaking-free-to-begin-streaming-on-netflix-from-may-22/k6306qj
  7. "The "Living in Bondage" Business model: How exactly does the occult make money from sacrificing souls?". www.pulse.ng. 22 November 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  8. BellaNaija.com (28 October 2019). "We Had an Exclusive Chat with Charles Okpaleke, Executive Producer of "Living In Bondage: Breaking Free"". BellaNaija. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  9. "Charles Okpaleke explains the idea behind 'Living in Bondage: Breaking Free'". Pulse Nigeria. 4 November 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  10. "TheNET.ng – Nigeria's Top Website for News, Gossip, Comedy, Videos, Blogs, Events, Weddings, Nollywood, Celebs, Scoop and Games". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  11. "A sequel to the 1992 classic is being made". Pulse Nigeria. 27 October 2015. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  12. "Awaiting Second Coming Of Living In Bondage". guardian.ng. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  13. "Where are they now? What the main cast of Nollywood classic 'Living in Bondage' is up to". Pulse Nigeria. 6 November 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  14. "Watch Ramsey Nouah's 'Living in Bondage: Breaking Free' trailer". Pulse Nigeria. 17 October 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  15. editor (8 November 2019). "Charles Okpaleke's 'Living in Bondage the Sequel' Premieres". THISDAYLIVE. Retrieved 21 December 2019.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  16. "'Living In Bondage: Breaking Free' out November 8". The Nation Newspaper. 2 November 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  17. "Nigerian Box Office: 'Living in Bondage' sequel continues to outperform movies from huge foreign studios like Sony, Fox and Disney". www.pulse.ng. 20 November 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  18. "'Living in Bondage' sequel becomes highest opening for a non-comedy film". The Nation Newspaper. 22 November 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  19. "'Living in Bondage: Breaking Free' displaces 'Terminator' to gross over N25M in first weekend". Pulse Nigeria. 13 November 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  20. "Top 20 films 29th November 1st December 2019". Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  21. "'Living in Bondage': After 3 weeks in cinemas, this 2019 sequel is officially one of the highest-grossing Nigerian movies of all time". www.pulse.ng. 26 November 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  22. Okechukwu, Daniel (26 November 2019). "Living In Bondage: Breaking Free now ninth Highest-Grossing Nigerian Film in History". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014). Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  23. "Top 20 films 13th 15th March 2020".
  24. "'Living in Bondage': Nigerians respond positively to the sequel to 1992 Nollywood classic". www.pulse.ng. 11 November 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  25. "Pulse List 2019: Top 10 Nollywood movies of the year". Pulse Nigeria. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  26. "The 3 important things the 'Living in Bondage' sequel got right — and the 1 thing it got wrong". www.pulse.ng. 6 November 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  27. Bada, Gbenga (31 October 2019). "Living in Bondage: Breaking Free' is perfect for Ramsey Nouah's directorial debut (Review)". Pulse Nigeria.
  28. Okanlawon, Taiwo (15 March 2020). "Living In Bondage wins big at AMVCA2020". P.M. News. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
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