What Just Happened is a 2018 Nigerian
comedy film
A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending (black comedy being an exception). Comedy is one of the ol ...
directed by
Charles Uwagbai and starring
Ufuoma McDermott
Ufuoma Stacey McDermott ( ; born 23 April 1981) is a Nigerian film-maker, actress and former model.
Early life
Ejenobor was born in Benin City to Nigerian parents of Urhobo descent who hails from Delta State in Nigeria. She moved a lot - f ...
, Afeez Oyetoro, Segun Arinze,
Toyin Abraham
Toyin Abraham Ajeyemi (born Olutoyin Aimakhu; 5 September 1982) is a Nigerian actress and filmmaker.
Early life
Abraham was born in Auchi, a town in Edo State in southern Nigeria. But spent her early life in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo Sta ...
, Mike Ezuruonye and comedians Mc Abbey and Funny Bone. The film was written and produced by Ufuoma McDermott. The film was predominantly shot in
Lagos State
Lagos State ( yo, Ìpínlẹ̀ Èkó) is a state in southwestern Nigeria. Of the 36 states, it is both the most populous and smallest in area. Bounded to the south by the Bight of Benin and to the west by the international border with Ben ...
and Los Angeles.
Plot
A disgruntled professor Oghogho (Ufuoma McDermott) decides to return home from the US and take up a visiting lecturer position at the University of Ibadan, Oyo state suggested by her brother Efe (Segun Arinze) after she decides that she's tired of the US and cannot "get" a man over there.
Reality check is hindered by her overtly superior attitude. Upset by the driver Baba Oti (Afeez Oyetoro) and his cough, she decides to make the drive herself from Lagos to Ibadan. The would be one hour journey turns into a day of total madness and commotion as she makes lives miserable.
She gets help from a good Samaritan, Dele Lawson (Mike Ezuruonye) who then joins her on the journey to Ibadan. They get robbed, arrested, lost in a village and finally helped by Leke (Jude Orhorha). They get into more trouble when Oghogho refuses to acknowledge and respect the tradition of Leke's village.
The entire film is a story within a story, as Professor Oghogho is recounting the entire encounter as a testimony in a church, and due to time constraints, the attempt to speed up her testimony leads to more commotion.
Cast
*
Ufuoma McDermott
Ufuoma Stacey McDermott ( ; born 23 April 1981) is a Nigerian film-maker, actress and former model.
Early life
Ejenobor was born in Benin City to Nigerian parents of Urhobo descent who hails from Delta State in Nigeria. She moved a lot - f ...
*
Omoni Oboli
Omoni Oboli (born 22 April 1978) is a Nigerian actress, scriptwriter, film director, producer and digital filmmaker. She studied at the New York Film Academy and has written several screenplays, including The Figurine (2009), '' Anchor Baby'' ...
*
Toyin Abraham
Toyin Abraham Ajeyemi (born Olutoyin Aimakhu; 5 September 1982) is a Nigerian actress and filmmaker.
Early life
Abraham was born in Auchi, a town in Edo State in southern Nigeria. But spent her early life in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo Sta ...
*
Mike Ezuruonye
Mike Ezuruonye (born 21 September 1982), is a Nigerian actor.
Early life and career
Mike is from Uzuakoli in Abia State, Nigeria. He was born on 21 September 1981 in Lagos. He attended the Federal Government College, Wukari, Taraba and Archbi ...
* Mc Abbey
* Jude Orhorha
* Stanley Funnybone Chibunna
*
Hafiz Oyetoro
* Segun Arinze
Production and release
Sequel to the successful cinematic run of her debut movie production
Christmas is Coming
"Christmas Is Coming" is a traditional nursery rhyme and Christmas song frequently sung as a round. It is listed as number 12817 in the Roud Folk Song Index.
The most famous version goes as follows:
:Christmas is coming, the geese are getti ...
in 2017, Ufuoma McDermott's sophomore movie production was released in cinemas across Nigeria on 14 September 2018. Principal photography had begun in June 2015 in Lagos and Los Angeles, while Ufuoma was pregnant. After the birth of her child on August 8, 2015, production continued in 2016 and post production was concluded in mid 2018.
Critical reception
''Vanguard'' singled out actress Ufuoma Mcdermott's debut comedic performance for praise, stating ''"...after seeing ‘What just happened’, my eyes were opened to something new about her; mostly to her dynamism not just as a person, but as an actress too"'', however noting that ''"...her role in the film could have been a comic flop without the presence of one of the most admired talents to ever grace the Nigerian film industry, Toyin Abraham."''
See also
*
List of Nigerian films of 2018
References
{{reflist
English-language Nigerian films
Nigerian comedy films
2010s English-language films