Isoken Explained

Isoken
Director:Jadesola Osiberu
Screenplay:Jadesola Osiberu
Music:Gray Jones Ossai
Cinematography:Adekunle Adejuyigbe
Editing:Adekunle Adejuyigbe
Runtime:98 minutes
Country:Nigeria
Language:English
Producer:Jadesola Osiberu
Production Companies:Tribe 85 productions
Gross:₦95 million[1]

Isoken is a 2017 romantic comedy or romantic drama film written and directed by Jadesola Osiberu (in her directorial debut). The film stars Dakore Akande, Joseph Benjamin, and Marc Rhys.[2] [3] [4] [5]

The film was produced by Tribe85 productions and distributed by Silverbird Distributions in Nigeria and Evrit film in the UK. It premiered in the United Kingdom on 24 May 2017 at the West End's Cineworld in London and then in Nigeria on 16 June 2017 at the Landmark Event Center, Victoria Island, Lagos. The movie is one of the creative industry projects under the NollyFund loan scheme supported by the Bank of Industry.[6]

Plot summary

Everyone in the Osayande family worries about Isoken. Although she has what appears to be a perfect life – beautiful, successful and surrounded by a great family and friends – Isoken is still unmarried at 34 which, in a culture obsessed with marriage, is a serious cause for concern. Things come to a head at her youngest sister's wedding when her overbearing mother thrusts her into an orchestrated matchmaking with the ultimate Edo man, Osaze. Osaze is handsome, successful and from a good family, making him the perfect Nigerian husband material. But in an unexpected turn of events, Isoken meets Kevin who she finds herself falling in love with and he just might be what she truly wants in a partner. The only problem is, not only is he not an Edo man, he is Oyinbo (white). Isoken is a romantic comedy that explores cultural expectations, racial stereotypes and the bonds that unite families in touching, dramatic and comedic ways.

Cast

Critical reception

The movie was met with a lot of positive reviews. Although Nollywood Reinvented rated the movie 64%, they also state that if there's any one word befitting of describing this movie it would be "beautiful"[7]

Isoken went on to gather several nominations and awards, winning the 2018 AMVCA Best Film West African and for best Best Director, Best Foreign Film at BronzeLens Film Festival 2018 in Atlanta and Prix du Public at Nollywood Week Paris also in 2018. Isoken established Jadesola as not just a film Director, but an award-winning director.

Awards

YearAwardCategory ResultRef
2018Africa Magic Viewers' Choice AwardsBest Movie West Africa[8]
Best Director - Jade Osiberu
Best Supporting Actress - Lydia Forson
Best Film
Best Costume Designer - Jade Osiberu
Best Art Director - Jade Osiberu
Best Actress in a Comedy - Dakore Akande
African Movie Academy AwardsBest Nigerian Film[9]
Best Actress (Lead role) - Dakore Akande
Achievement in Costume Design
Best Film
Best Director - Jade Osiberu
Best First Feature Film by a Director - Jade Osiberu
Best Soundtrack

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The top 5 romance movies of the last decade. Which of these got you teary eyed? . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/filmoneng/2219348065700441741_2219348062747648552 . 25 December 2021 . registration. 29 June 2020 . FilmOne . en.
  2. News: Hits and Misses of Jadesola Osiberu's 'Isoken' - Vanguard News. 25 June 2017. Vanguard News. 7 July 2017. en-US.
  3. News: Cinema Review: 'Isoken' – It's okay. 29 June 2017. Nigerian Entertainment Today. 7 July 2017. en-US.
  4. News: Cinema Review: With 'Isoken', Jadesola Osiberu serves up a dish worth the mass-salivating. 23 June 2017. Nigerian Entertainment Today. 7 July 2017. en-US.
  5. News: How Isoken is still absolutely killing it at the cinemas. 23 June 2017. YNaija. 7 July 2017. en-US.
  6. News: BoI powered film 'Isoken' premieres in Lagos – Vanguard News. 18 June 2017. Vanguard News. 7 July 2017. en-US.
  7. Web site: Isoken . Nollywood Reinvented. 17 July 2018 .
  8. Web site: Agbo. Njideka. 1 September 2018. Complete List Of Winners For The 2018 AMVCA. 3 July 2021. The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. en-US.
  9. News: Nollywood Shines At 2018 Africa Movie Academy Awards [Full List Of Winners]]. 3 July 2021. Channels Television.