Battle on Buka Street: After a lifetime of rivalry, two women find themselves once again at odds when they start food businesses on the same street.
Release date: 16 December 2022 (Nigeria)
Directors: Funke Akindele, Tobi Makinde
Box office: ₦668,423,056
Producer: Funke Akindele
Story by: Jack’enneth Opukeme
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ABOUT “BATTLE ON BUKA STREET”
“Battle on Buka Street” is a 2022 Nigerian comedy drama directed by Funke Akindele and Tobi Makinde. The film is jointly produced as collaboration between Funke Ayotunde Akindele Network (FAAN) and FilmOne Studios. The film had its theatrical release on the 16th December 2022.
The plot revolves round the battle and heated rivalry between two women who confront each other in a food challenge in order to win the prestigious ‘King of Buka Street title‘ which is a title conferred to the best local food seller in the region. The film project marked the third cinematic directorial venture for actress Funke Akindele after Your Excellency and Omo Ghetto The Saga. The film, “Battle on Buka Street,” also possibly marked the final film venture for Funke Akindele who has insisted to join politics and run as a frontrunner in the election.
“TheBattle on Buka Street” became the second highest grossing Nigerian film of the year 2022 just behind Brotherhood grossing about NGN200,087,222 at the box office. The film surpassed “Avatar; the way of water” as the highest grossing film in Nigeria during the Christmas, grossing almost NGN50 million at the box office.
The theatrical run for “Battle on Buka Street” came to an end on the 13th of April 2023, after 17 weeks at the box office with a gross of NGN668,423,056. It finished as the highest-grossing film of all time displacing Omo Ghetto the Saga.
FILM CAST
Funke akindele as Yejide
Mercy Johnson as Awele
Sola Sobowale as Asake
Tina Mba as Ezinne
Nkem Owoh as Maduka
Femi Jacobs as Lanshile
Kelvin Ikeduba as Chukwuemeka
Sani musa Danja as Kazeem
Bimbo Ademoye as Young Asake
Uche Obunse as Ifunnaya
Moshood Fattah as Ademide
Judith ushi as Fadekemi
Gbemi Akindele as Kaira
miracle Gabriel as Kaiso
Mike Afolarin
Wumi Toriola
Regina Chukwu
Tobi Makinde
IN THE CINEMA
Funke Akindele has delivered another aesthetic masterpiece with this movie. Starting from the narrative to the climatic ending and reunion; it has been proven once again that love conquers all. The battle started from and in the perspective of one of the major characters ‘Yejide’. She brings to light the fact that a polygamous home always has its war, no matter how small or insignificant.
The heat and humor kicked in from the very opening and was cleverly used to introduce the start of a fresh rivalry when the sisters were born and were competing for who could cry better or louder. The established fact alludes; Even with the façade of comic elements, the writers were able to tell even a lay man that this war.
All through the first plots and scenes, in “Battle on Buka Street,” we see back and forth between Awele and Yejide. However the first insights could be seen when Awele and her children were getting accustomed to their new house. Though it was a flash of memory, we feel as if she is a victim of toxic marriage and had decided to keep her family safe from such energies irrespective of what the society would say.
Another important lesson was also taught when the first children of both families had to go in search of greener pastures. The path decided to make one more important than the other led to their uneventful experiences in Lagos.
The story began to move from just rivalry to the introduction of the real message when Yejide’s daughter, Fadekemi picks up the bad trait from the rivalry and switches the kerosene keg to petrol causing damage to life and property at Awele restaurant. Another comic conflict was used to compress the climax to open way to a bigger plot and give actual reason for revenge and malice.
However we see Yejide show pity and regrets; for the sins of the mothers were passed to the daughters. Another point where regret was found on the face of our tasty warriors was after the death of Tina Mba character, Awele. But this didn’t fix the rivalry; the soup pot was already steaming.
The climax of the movie, “Battle on Buka Street,” began when Mercy Johnson stated and ironically made us understand that she was a victim. Although that piece of information could have helped make her protagonist but her revenge and hatred sealed her as the villain.
We also see some additional twist when Awele goes to the prophet’s church. They use a bit of dance drama in the early scene.
The story goes deeper than just rivalry when Iya Ade’s husband escapes prison and comes home and creates a twist, snatching our mind from the everyday battle on buka street to a very sad story of how Ademide’s father was implicated. We see the family of Ade bond although there would have been a longer explanation of how they blended since the movie is already 2 hours plus, technically, family bond doesn’t happen like magic and some conflicts are expected. However, the scene brought more elements of harmony and love and its important/impedance in our daily lives.
Somehow the producer and screenwriter found a way of literally adding irony to the movie. ‘Otanwa” when translated to Yoruba means “Our enemy”. This small dramatic irony is an element that I know most people missed in this beautiful work of art.
Alas, my 2 hours 22 minutes was worth it. When I looked at the time and saw 1am, I congratulated myself. Nollywood has delivered yet another blockbuster and we are rising fast. Kudos to the crew and Actors. They brought out the last part of the movie with class and prestige; how Awele and Yejide were able to use their rivalry to save a good man and how one little good sparks another.
Truly, the saying “One sincere spark of kindness lights another” is virtuous. We have learnt that training a child in the way they should grow and they will not depart from it as this was what created misfit from infants to mothers. However, no one is a stiff flour, and even the turning sticks can be used for other creative jobs. Anyone can change. Get yourself Amala and Ewedu soup, find a buka and invite your friends, turn on your hotspots and anticipate Greater stories from the Nollywood industry.
RATINGS
I would rate “Battle on Buka Street” a perfect 9.5. From the Acting, to the location, to the cast and the soundtrack. Funke Akindele outdid herself.
