Source: IMDB
While films serve to entertain, they also help appreciate and tell tales of our practices and ways of life. However, we sometimes want to see movies explore unique African cultures and even recount some of their histories.
Movies that have done this fall into genres that include but are not limited to drama, war, crime, and even comedy. But such a wealth of options could sometimes leave one overwhelmed.
Fortunately, we have got you covered. Here is a list of movies that explored unique African cultures and histories. Not only will you find eight excellent ones here, but we also throw in their plots and some extra bonuses at the end.
Let’s get started!
1. Saworoide
Saworoide’s movie poster from Wikipedia
Country: Nigeria
Year of release: 1999
Language: Yoruba
Genres: Drama, Historical Fiction.
Saworoide(Sha-wo-ro-e-ther) tells a tale of tradition, tyranny, betrayal, love, and loyalty, to name a few. Written by Akinwunmi Ishola and directed by Tunde Kelani, it remains one of the greatest movies from Nollywood, the country’s film wing.
The story takes place in the Yoruba town of Jogbo where the tradition involves beating the Saworoide (brass bell talking drum) to establish the crowning of every new king. Going against this practice was foretold to have dire consequences which we get to see later on in the movie.
Anyone who avoids the use of the Saworoide for his coronation will end up sharing his kingdom with another ruler. This is in addition to developing a life-ending migraine upon hearing the sound of the drum at any other time.
Takeaway(s)
Saworoide portrays the results of unbridled greed and endless repayment of cutting corners to achieve goals. It reinforces the warning against abusing power while also intimating us with several practices of the Yorubas.
2. Hotel Rwanda
Hotel Rwanda movie poster from Allafrica
Country: Rwanda
Year of release: 2004
Language: English
Genres: Biography, War, History, and Drama.
Hotel Rwanda recounts the story and experience of Paul Rusesabagina, a manager of the Hôtel des Mille Collines, who sheltered and protected over 1200 Hutu and Tutsi refugees during the Rwandan Genocide of 1994.
Image source: IMDB
The story explores the events surrounding the genocide, taking the viewer through the several facets of human morals. It tells a tale of love, greed, betrayal, loyalty, and violence. Despite its dark/sad theme, Hotel Rwanda ends on a positive note in line with the true story.
Written by Kier Pearson and Terry George, the movie ranks high among the best African movies of all time.
Takeaway(s)
Hotel Rwanda shows the undying resolution of the human spirit even in the face of adversity and hopelessness. The story shows the experiences of one man standing on what’s right despite the state of the world around him.
3. Sankofa
Image source: Sankofa thriller ©Array
Country: Ghana
Year of release: 1993
Language: English
Genres: Drama.
Sankofa starts with a modeling shoot that takes a disastrous turn when model Mona mistakenly goes back in time. Well, on the other hand, one could say the elderly divine drummer deliberately sent her back.
Mona would go on into slavery, introducing the viewer to the dark realities of the slaves. Afterward, she returns to her present, equipped with the knowledge of her people’s past and history.
Image source: Sankofa thriller ©Array
Haile Gerima wrote a tale that encouraged the audience never to forget their past and roots. The word Sankofa roughly translates into ‘going back to acquire wisdom to go further in the future.’
Takeaway(s)
Sankofa aimed at showing the importance of not forgetting the past. This is because remembering the past remains a crucial part of progressing in the future.
While the movie might come across as too heavy on the slavery aspect to some, it does a good job of portraying the realities of those times.
4. Blood Diamond
Image source: Movies Anywhere
Country: Sierra Leone
Year of release: 2006
Language: English
Genres: War, Suspense, Mystery, and Drama.
Although this movie has a non-African lead actor (looking at you DiCarprio), it gives a great insight into the Sierra Leone Civil War of 1991-2002. Prepare to get familiarised with how warlords (particularly in relevant African regions) sold diamonds mined in warzones in exchange for arms.
Co-written and directed by Edward Zwick, Blood Diamond tells of the discovery of a large pink diamond and the quest to sell it for maximum profit. However, it goes deeper than that. The story follows the journey of Archer and Vandy through a world torn with war, strife, and the power struggle.
Takeaway(s)
If you have read about the Sierra Leone Civil War before watching this movie, you will understand more about this event than you knew.
Blood Diamond reveals the horrors that plagued the affected regions of Sierra Leone between 1991 and 2002. It also shows how easy it was for minors to end up as child soldiers.
5. Shaka Zulu
Image source: DVD Planet Store
Country: South Africa
Year of release: 1986
Language: English
Genres: Action, History, War, Biography, Historical Fiction, and Drama.
Shaka Zulu depicts the story of the rise and fall of the Zulu tribe and their then-leader, Shaka. This tale comes in ten episodes of a single season and intimates the viewer with the events that surround Shaka’s wars and interaction with the British.
Written by William C. Faure and Joshua Sinclair, the series occurs mostly as frequent flashbacks of Dr. Henry Fynn. The doctor had enough proximity to Shaka to recall most of the events during the tribal leader’s life.
Takeaway(s)
As Shaka once said “Never leave an enemy behind or it will rise again to fly at your throat,” one could take it as ensuring that you do any and every task thoroughly.
Also, the series shows the importance of wise decisions at the right time.
Shaka Zulu remains a part of movies that explore unique African cultures and histories. You should check it out.
6. The Woman King
Image source: YouTube
Country: Benin Republic (The Dahomey Tribe)
Year of release: 2022
Language: English
Genres: History, Drama, Historical Fiction, Action, and Adventure.
Inspired by true events, The Woman King tells the tale of the Agojie, a group of warriors who were exclusively female. These women warriors protected the then kingdom of Dahomey and answered only to its king.
Image source: YouTube
You might start wondering at this point how this relates to the movie’s title. However, the story reveals the immense influence that General Nanisca (the main character) had in the kingdom. It also took us deeper into a traumatic event that returned to confront her.
The Woman King was written by Maria Bello and Dana Stevens. It was released in September 2022 and had a largely positive reception.
Takeaway(s)
This action-packed movie shows the way of life of the military arm of an ancient and once-dominant kingdom. If this catches your attention, you should check out the Woman King.
With tales of determination, bravery, grief, regret, and loyalty, The Woman King does an excellent job of holding the viewer’s attention to the end.
7. Anikulapo
Image source: boogieman media
Country: Nigeria
Year of release: 2022
Language: Yoruba
Genres: Drama, History, Historical Fiction and Fantasy.
Kunle Afolayan directed and produced this epic movie which he called a Nigerian Game of Thrones that better represents the Yoruba culture. Anikulapo brings a tale of power, infidelity, and betrayal, in addition to several others.
A word that translates into “He who holds Death in his pocket,” Anikulapo (Ah-Ne-Ku-Lah-Kpo) follows the life of Saro. This young man would die because of his illicit affair with the queen. He then encountered the Akala, a mystical bird said to have powers over life and death.
Saro would go on to gain the power to resurrect the dead with the help of Arolake. However, his pride led to a disastrous end as the story later revealed.
Takeaway(s)
The movie teaches how power corrupts/intoxicates easily. Anikulapo also shows the dangers of unbridled greed.
8. Long Walk to Freedom
Image source: IMP Awards
Country: South Africa
Year of release: 2013/2014
Language: English
Genres: Autobiography.
A Long Walk To Freedom is a biography of the life of Nelson Mandela, an irreplaceable icon of South Africa’s path to freedom. The movie explores the events of his life, education, and imprisonment before becoming South Africa’s president.
Watching this movie gives an insight into the person of Nelson Mandela. It also tells of his struggles, triumphs, losses, and defining moments.
Bonus…Because, Why Not?
We promised a bonus at the end, did we not? Well, these are two movies that explore unique African cultures and histories while maintaining a light-hearted theme.
The Wedding Party
Source: Osamudiamen Joseph
Country: Nigeria
Year of release: 2016
Language: English, Yoruba, and Igbo
Genres: Comedy, Romance, Melodrama, and Drama.
The movie takes place during The Wedding Party of Dunni Coker and Dozie Onwuka. Directed by Kemi Adetiba, it explores the events that occurred from the morning of the wedding till night.
Source: Osamudiamen Joseph
The Wedding Party did a great job of depicting the partying spirits of the Yorubas and Igbos in Nigeria. It also introduces the reader to some of their conjugal traditions.
You will enjoy this tale of romance, agitation, drama, and flamboyance, all in addition to good comedy.
A Soweto Love Story
Source: Shock
Country: South Africa
Year of release: 2024
Language: English
Genres: Comedy, Romance, Melodrama, and Drama.
A Soweto Love Story follows the tale of a mother who tries to get her three sons to settle down and marry. She successfully did this by promising to gift the family house to whoever gets married before the others.
Source: Shock
With the deadline given, the three brothers race to bring a woman home while trying to sabotage the others. Eventually, it all ends well with everyone getting what they wanted.
It’s a Wrap!
This concludes our list of movies that explored unique African cultures and histories. While it contains titles from all over the continent, remember that there are several more that you can always check out.
Since Christmas is almost here, stay tuned for an upcoming article on thriller movies that can fit the Yuletide season.
I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I did compiling it!
