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Movie

Saworoide

1999 · 103 min

A slow-burning political fable that blends Yoruba ritual and song with a tense, cautionary tale of power and its abuses.

Directed by
Tunde Kelani
Genres
Drama
Starring
Kola Oyewo, Bukky Wright, Kunle Bamtefa
Overview
When a usurper, Lapita, seizes the throne of Jogbo the scene is set for a film about the power struggles and corruption of a mythical African state tied up to the rituals of kingship – principally the beating of the Saworoide (or brass bell) drum. A homespun political parable emerges drawing interest by converting the typically unstable African political stereotypes into a fable complete with songs and a Greek Chorus that reflect upon the plot.

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In the UKNo streaming, rental or purchase options known.
Directed by
Tunde Kelani
Genres
Drama
Starring
Kola Oyewo, Bukky Wright, Kunle Bamtefa
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How it feels

Written by AI. It can be wrong.

Tone
  • satiricalstrength 2 of 3
  • earneststrength 2 of 3
  • tensestrength 2 of 3
  • darkstrength 1 of 3
Pacing
measured, 2 of 4, from slow-burn to relentless
Attention
engaged, 3 of 4, from background-friendly to demanding
Themes
  • power
  • corruption
  • betrayal
  • trauma
  • justice
Places
  • small town
Era
timeless
Audience
adult
Form
  • ensemble
Content intensity
  • Gore none
  • Language mild
  • Violence mild
  • Sex mild
All scales, 0 to 10
Scales, 0 to 10
ScaleValue0 to 10
Action4
Horror2
Humour3
Realism5
Romance2
Tension6
Darkness6
Complexity6
Emotional weight6

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Where to watch in the UK

No UK streaming, rental or purchase options are known.

Streaming data from JustWatch.TMDB

Details

Genres
drama
Directed by
Tunde Kelani
Written by
Akinwumi Isola
Starring
Kola Oyewo, Bukky Wright, Kunle Bamtefa, Ayantunji Amoo, Kayode Olaiya, Lere Paimo, Kunle Afolayan, Peter Fatomilola
Runtime
103 min
Country
Nigeria
Languages
English, Yoruba

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