''Isoken'' is a 2017

romantic comedy Romantic comedy (also known as romcom or rom-com) is a subgenre of comedy and slice of life fiction, focusing on lighthearted, humorous plot lines centered on romantic ideas, such as how true love is able to surmount most obstacles. In a typica ...

film written and directed by

Jadesola Osiberu Jadesola Osiberu is a Nigerian writer, director and producer and founder of Greoh Studios. She is known for ''Isoken'' (2017), '' Sugar Rush'' (2019), '' Brotherhood'' (2022) and ''Gangs of Lagos'', the first Nigerian original film set to stre ...

(in her directorial debut). The film stars

Dakore Akande Dakore Egbuson-Akande (born Dakore Omobola Egbuson; 14 October 1978) is a Nigerian actress. She is an ambassador for Amnesty International, Amstel Malta and Oxfam of America. Biography Dakore was born in Bayelsa State as the first child of her ...

, Joseph Benjamin, and Marc Rhys. The film was produced by Tribe85 productions and distributed by Silverbird Distributions in

Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...

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 Victoria Island (VI) is an affluent area that encompasses a former island of the same name neighbouring Lagos Island, Ikoyi and the Lekki Peninsula by the Lagos Lagoon. It is the main business and financial centre of Lagos State, Nigeria. Vi ...

. The movie is one of the creative industry projects under the NollyFund loan scheme supported by

the Bank of Industry Bank of Industry Limited (abbreviated as 'BOI') is the oldest and largest Development finance institution, Development Finance Institution (DFI) currently operating in Nigeria. It is owned by the Federal Ministry of Finance (Nigeria), Ministry of ...

Plot summary

Everyone in the Osayande family worries about Isoken. Although she has what appears to have a perfect life – beautiful, successful and surrounded by great family and friends – Isoken is still unmarried at 34 which, in a culture obsessed with marriage, is 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 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 White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White on ...

). Isoken is a romantic comedy that explores cultural expectations,

racial A race is a categorization of humans based on shared physical or social qualities into groups generally viewed as distinct within a given society. The term came into common usage during the 1500s, when it was used to refer to groups of variou ...

stereotypes and the bonds that unite families in touching, dramatic and comedic ways.

Cast

as Isoken * Joseph Benjamin as Osaze * Marc Rhys as Kevin *

Funke Akindele Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele-Bello (born 24 August 1977) popularly known as Funke Akindele or Jenifa, is a Nigerian film actress, politician and producer.Funsho AkinwaleFunke Akindele gives first glimpse of her twins ''The Guardian'' Akindele sta ...

as Agnes *

Lydia Forson Lydia Forson (born 24 October 1984) is a Ghanaian actress, writer, and producer. In 2010 she won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Early life and education Forson was born on 24 October 1984 in Mankessim, Ghana ...

as Kukua *

Damilola Adegbite Damilola Adegbite (born Oluwadamilola Adegbite; 18 May 1985) is Nigerian actress, Model, and Television personality. She played Thelema Duke in the soap opera ''Tinsel'', and Kemi Williams in the movie '' Flower Girl''. She won Best Actress in a T ...

as Joke *

Tina Mba Tina Mba is a Nigerian actress who was nominated for Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in the 7th Africa Movie Academy Awards. Career In 2017, she starred in ''Isoken'', ''Bariga Suger'', ''Okafor's Law'' among ...

as mama Isoken *

Patrick Doyle Patrick Doyle (born 6 April 1953) is a Scottish film composer with Irish heritage. A longtime collaborator of actor-director Kenneth Branagh, Doyle is known for his work composing for films such as ''Henry V'', ''Sense and Sensibility'', ''Hamle ...

as Papa Isoken * Nedu Wazobia as Chuks *

Jemima Osunde Jemima Osunde (born 30 April 1996) is a Nigerian actress, model, and presenter. She gained exposure after playing Leila in the television series '' Shuga''. Osunde was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 15th Africa Movie Academ ...

Bolanle Olukanni Bolanle Olukanni is a Nigerian TV presenter popularly known for hosting ''Moments with Mo'' on DStv and ''Project Fame West Africa''. Early life Bolanle was raised in Nigeria, Israel, America and Kenya. Olukanni attended St. Saviour's Primar ...

as Rume *Rita Edwards as Aunty *

Omasan Buwa Omasan Tokunbo Maxine Buwa (born October 27, 1965) is a Nigerian social worker and media commentator who rose to prominence as Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria winner in 1987. Throughout her career, she has worked as a model, television presenter, ...

as Aunty *

Efa Iwara Efa Iwara, also known as Efa, is a Nigerian actor and rapper. Early life and education Iwara was born on 20 August 1990 in Ibadan, Oyo State to his Professor of Linguistics father and Librarian mother. He hails from Ugep in Cross River State ...

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" 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

References

External links