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Mo Abudu: 6 Movies From The Stable Of The Iconic Film-maker
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Forbes has labeled her “Africa’s Most Successful Woman.”
Mosunmola Abudu, also known as Mo Abudu, is a Nigerian media magnate, philanthropist, and former human resources management consultant.
In 2013, she launched EbonyLife TV, Africa’s first global black entertainment and lifestyle network. The channel’s primary goal is to promote a more positive image of Africa.
Since its inception, EbonyLife has produced inspirational series such as “Desperate Housewives Africa”, based on Disney’s original series; “The Governor”, about Nigeria’s first female state governor; and “Sons of the Caliphate”, a drama about the rivalry between rich and powerful families in northern Nigeria, among others.
In 2014, Abudu ventured into filmmaking with the creation of EbonyLife Films. This was also done with the goal of changing global perceptions of Africa.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the films produced by this renowned Nigerian filmmaker.
Fifty (2015)
Fifty, a romantic drama film released on December 18, 2015, was executive produced by Mo Abudu.
In 2015, Fifty was Nigeria’s highest-grossing drama and number one film. It was also the only Nigerian film chosen for the 59th BFI London Film Festival.
Biyi Bandele directed the film, which was produced by Tope Oshin Ogun. Omoni Oboli, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Ireti Doyle, and Dakore Akande starred in it. Fifty was acquired by Netflix in 2015.
The Wedding Party (2016)
The Wedding Party is a romantic comedy drama film from Nigeria.
Adesua Etomi, Banky Wellington, Richard Mofe Damijo, Sola Sobowale, Iretiola Doyle, Alibaba Akporobome, Zainab Balogun, Beverly Naya, Somkele Iyamah, Enyinna Nwigwe, Daniella Down, and Stephen Damien were among those who starred in the film. The film, directed by Kemi Adetiba, was released in theaters worldwide on December 16, 2016.
It became Nigeria’s highest-grossing film, a record that was broken in 2017 by its sequel, The Wedding Party 2.
Netflix has acquired The Wedding Party.
The Wedding Party 2: Destination Dubai (2017)
The Wedding Party 2: Destination Dubai is a romantic comedy set in Nigeria. It’s the sequel to The Wedding Party, which came out in December 2016.
Niyi Akinmolayan directed it. Sola Sobowale, Banky Wellington, Adesua Etomi, Enyinna Nwigwe, Patience Ozokwor, Richard Mofe Damijo, Iretiola Doyle, Somkele Iyamah, Alibaba Akporobome, Zainab Balogun, and Daniella Down starred in the movie.
The film’s production began, which took place in Lagos and Dubai, began in May 2017.
It is currently one of Nigeria’s highest-grossing films of all time.
The Royal Hibiscus Hotel (2017)
The comedy Royal Hibiscus Hotel was executive produced by Abudu. Ishaya Bako directed the 2017 film. At the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival, it was screened in the Contemporary World Cinema section.
Zainab Balogun, Kenneth Okolie, Deyemi Okanlawon, Joke Silva, Olu Jacobs, Jide Kosoko, Rachel Oniga, Kemi Lala Akindoju, and Ini Dima-Okojie were among the ensemble cast members.
The Royal Hibiscus Hotel made its world premiere at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival. It was the only Nigerian entry and one of only three African films in the Contemporary World Cinema category, which features 48 of the world’s best new films.
Chief Daddy (2018)
Chief Daddy is another comedy drama film from Mo Abudu’s stable. Niyi Akinmolayan directed the 2018 film, which was written by Bode Asiyanbi.
Mosunmola Abudu and Temidayo Abudu produced it, and it was released in December 2018.
It starred Funke Akindele Bello, Kate Henshaw, Nkem Owoh, Joke Silva, Patience Ozokwor, Richard Mofe Damijo, and Racheal Oniga, etc.
Chief Daddy was the ‘Official Number One Nollywood Film of 2018’ and Nigeria’s third-highest-grossing film. After weeks in theaters, Netflix acquired ‘Chief Daddy’ in 2019.
Oloture
lturé, a 2019 Nigerian crime drama film, was executive produced by Abudu.
Kenneth Gyang directed it from a screenplay by Yinka Ogun and Craig Freimond.
Sharon Ooja, Omoni Oboli, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Omowunmi Dada, Kemi “Lala” Akindoju, Wofai Fada, Bukola Oladipupo, Pearl Okorie, Ikechukwu Onanaku, David Jones David, Sambasa Nzeribe, and Omawumi Megbele are among those who appear in the film.
