Arugna, 2008 Nigerian Film (grade D)

Directed by Tunde Kelani
Nigeria, 2008 , 97 min.

Per the festival notes:  Serving as an allegory for contemporary Nigeria, Arugba is the latest film by Nigerian filmmaker Tunde Kelani, know for his entertaining blend of social commentary, romantic comedy, and traditional moral tales:  Arugba continues in this vein. Add singing and dancing, some health lessons, a little Barack Obama, and even a bit of kung fu, and you’ve got what Kelani calls a “Nollywood” production.  

PLOT: Adetutu, a university student and the niece of a provincial king, has been chosen to be the “ceremonial virgin” in the traditional masquerade festival. She is beautiful, intelligent, courteous, talented, and courageous. But will she be able to save her people from the pervasive corruption and intrigues in the king’s palaces?  In Yoruba and English with English subtitles.

sez says--this film has weak production values, poorly shot scenes, and very hard to follow story.  Yet, you can't help but realize that we know very little about African Culture and this IS an opportunity to discover, if by osmosis, something about Nigeria.  Some of the best materail was in the song lyrics, and the fascination with Obama.  I am glad I saw it --but would be hard pressed to recommend it to anyone as entertainment.  

mjc says: more information that I could absorb about the cultural setting of the film but hard to watch because it was so poorly crafted.