Kambili: The Whole 30 Yards also shortly known as Kambili is a 2020 Nigerian romantic comedy film written by Ozioma Ogbaji, and directed by Kayode Kasum. The film stars Nancy Isime and Jide Kene Achufusi in the lead roles. The film is based on a young woman's quest to be married before she turns 30. It had its theatrical release on 4 December 2020 and opened to positive reviews from critics.[2] [3]

Kambili: The Whole 30 Yards
Directed by	Kayode Kasum
Written by	Ozioma Ogbaji
Starring	Nancy Isime Toyin Abraham Jide Kene Achufusi Mawuli Gavor Sharon Ooja Venita Akpofure Koye Kekere-Ekun Uzor Arukwe Elvina Ibru
Production companies	FilmOne Entertainment Empire Entertainment Huahua Media
Release date	4 December 2020 (2020-12-04)
Running time	120 minutes
Countries	Nigeria South Africa China
Language	English
Box office	₦20 million[1]

Plot

Kambili Maduka (Nancy Isime), a disorganised, compulsive shopaholic residing in the city, is suspended from her office job due to repeated lateness. Her troubles worsen when John (Mawuli Gavor), her boyfriend of two years, unceremoniously breaks up with her before her 29th birthday, believing she is unsuitable wife material. The news disheartens her as she had hoped to marry before she turned 30. On a night out with her friends to celebrate her birthday, a downcast Kambili announces her plans to win John back by showing she can be serious, but upon her return home discovers the landlord has ejected her due to late rent payment.

After spending the night at her eccentric mother Cynthia's (Elvina Ibru) house and discovering she is now engaged to toyboy Bankole (Uzor Arukwe), Kambili stubbornly leaves and asks her best friend Chidi to accommodate her temporarily, to his girlfriend Linda's (Sharon Ooja) chagrin. Upon reflection, and firmly determined, Kambili follows her passion and opens an art gallery, with her supportive friends Chidi, Biodun (Venita Akpofure), and Jesse (Koye Kekere-Ekun) collaborating to transform her goal into success. She reluctantly moves back in with Cynthia after Linda demands she leaves Chidi's house, and gradually warms to Bankole, who has offered valuable business advice.

John attends the gallery's launch and is impressed with Kambili's progress since their breakup. He asks her out for a drink, and she accepts his offer, despite having made plans with her friends who had supported her through the past months.

Cast

• Nancy Isime as Kambili
• Jide Kene Achufusi as Chidi
• Mawuli Gavor as John
• Elvina Ibru as Cynthia
• Sharon Ooja as Linda
• Venita Akpofure as Biodun
• Koye Kekere-Ekun as Jesse
• Uzor Arukwe as Bankole
• Toyin Abraham as Jessica
• Oge Amuta as Funmi

Production

The film was jointly produced by distribution company FilmOne Entertainment in association with South Africa's Empire Entertainment and China's Huahua Media.[4][5] The collaboration deal was successfully reached in December 2018.[6] It also marked FilmOne's maiden collaboration with South African and Chinese production companies.[7] However the film project was in development hell over a year and it was supposed to be the first production venture for FilmOne Entertainment with director Kayode Kasum.[8]

The entire cast and crew members who were hired to play their respective roles in the film were all reportedly below the age of 35. The colour green was depicted as the central theme throughout the filming.

Release

The film was initially slated for theatrical release on 12 June 2020 but it was later pushed back to September 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.[9] The film producers officially announced the new release date as 16 October 2020 but it was postponed again due to the End SARS protests.[10] It was finally released on 4 December 2020.

Reception

A reviewer for Afrocritik scored the movie 5.9/10 saying "The major problem with Kambili is that half the time, it seems to forget it is a rom-com...Not only is the movie longer than it needs to be, but the time and effort dedicated to brewing the romance between Kambili and her eventual love interest are also grossly inadequate."[11]

Awards and nominations

References

External links

• Kambili: The Whole 30 Yards at IMDb

На других языках

[es] Kambili: The Whole 30 Yards