A Tribe Called Judah

How far will you go for your parent? Are you willing to sacrifice everything to save a loved one? Can you toss your hardcore values aside for your parent? These are questions that A Tribe Called Judah answers and also poses to its audience.

A Tribe Called Judah skillfully weaves a poignant narrative that explores the depths of familial bonds and the sacrifices one is willing to make for the ones one loves. Under the adept direction of Adeoluwa Owu, the film introduces us to the captivating Judah family, led by the remarkable Funke Akindele as Jedidah, a single mother of five boys. Each child is distinct in characterisation and portrayal— Emeka Judah (Jide Kene Achufusi) is the first child and an honest sales representative at a furniture showroom; Adamu Judah (Uzee Usman) is a security official at a mall; Shina Judah (Tobi Makinde) is a surly hooligan; Pere Judah (Timini Egbuson) is a pickpocket; and Ejiro Judah (Olumide Oworu), the last child, is a child of mischief whose central focus is on his relationship with his girlfriend, Testimony (Genoveva Umeh). The character dynamics are expertly portrayed, with each Judah sibling offering a unique flavour to the narrative canvas.

The initial act adeptly sets the stage, portraying Jedidah’s struggles as a single mother while endearing herself to the community through her selfless acts. The struggles of being a single parent weigh her down, especially with each child being fathered by different men from different tribes, but she does her best to guide her children, standing strong by the bad ones even when they’re apprehended for crimes. With the elder children (Emeka and Adamu) being responsible and mature, there’s an easy camaraderie between them and a disdain for the other problem children. As the plot unfolds into its gripping second act, Jedidah is struck with kidney failure and needs a replacement. This in turn finally unites the children who have to gather together to save her. The decided plan is to rob Emeka’s furniture showroom that doubles as a front for money laundering. The robbery is smooth until a rival gang appears and everything is upturned.

A Tribe Called Judah benefits from a keen script. The plot flows seamlessly till it reaches its crux. The subplots introduced also help flesh out the characters. Most Nigerian films fail at storytelling, and it’s delightful that this avoids that pitfall. The comedic elements incorporated are also coherent with the characters. The comedy here is sporadic but doesn’t derail from the scenes they appear, this is due to the brilliant timing and delivery; even tense scenes that ordinarily don’t need comedy are brightened and this isn’t a small feat. The film’s runtime of over two hours remains engaging and avoids being arduous, a testament to the director’s skill in maintaining a captivating pace. The film’s attention to detail shines through in its costuming, with the diverse outfits worn during the heist by the brothers and the rival gang adding a delightful visual dimension.

Poverty and disease play the role of the primary villains, adding depth to the Judahs’ struggles. Everyone prays to be healthy, and if otherwise, then money for treatment should be readily available. Being poor citizens is what leads to the secondary villains impacting the lives of the Judahs. Nse Ikpe Etim plays the manager of Emeka’s showroom who is unabashedly hostile towards him while Uzor Arukwe shines as the owner of the showroom. Uzor’s character is stereotypical of semi-literate Igbo businessmen, dripping with the phonemic interference from the dialect that changes their /r/ to /l/, but his portrayal avoids being a caricature. His character possessing a constant vibrance adds life to his portrayal, he goes from conversing with his employees to ending people’s lives whilst maintaining his general aura.

The cast of this flick is phenomenal. Funke Akindele redeems herself after her overly exaggerated performance in She Must Be Obeyed. She weaves from being motherly to a dying woman, giving herself wholly to her portrayal. Timini Egbuson, breaking free from the playboy stereotype, delivers a refreshing portrayal. The antagonists (Nse Ikpe Etim and Uzor Arukwe) also contribute compelling performances that elevate the overall narrative.

A Tribe Called Judah is a cleverly crafted and thrilling cinematic experience from start to finish, offering a compelling exploration of family, sacrifice, and the resilience needed to navigate life’s challenges. Adeoluwa Owu’s directorial finesse, coupled with the exceptional performances, cements this film as a standout in Nigerian cinema.