Nigerian actor and director Iyabo Ojo's entertaining but imperfect tale about warring clans unfolds across Nigeria, Ghana and Tanzania. This Nigerian thriller mostly takes place in bustling Lagos but also ventures to Ghana and Tanzania, featuring actors from all three countries, creating a diverse and textured story that is thoroughly entertaining. However, there are plenty of imperfections, particularly in the editing, and the acting ranges from professional to amateurish, making for a somewhat uneven experience. Nonetheless, it is further evidence that the increasingly well-funded Nollywood industry can compete internationally and attract audiences beyond Africa.
Female-Centric Storyline
Although a male character's presidential campaign drives much of the plot, this is very much a film centered on women, spanning multiple generations in various often contentious relationships. This is evident early on when matriarch Aisha Williams (Mercy Aigbe), wife of aspiring politician Marcus Williams (William Benson), engages in a screaming match with her sister-in-law while household members look on in shock. Aisha is a complex character who can be charming when needed, such as when her son Mandla (Enioluwa Adeoluwa) brings home his fiancée Simisola (Prisca Lyimo). But upon meeting Simisola's aunt Bridget (Bimbo Akintola), a devout preacher, Aisha's hospitality quickly evaporates. Gradually, we learn of a long history between the two older women, connected through Simisola's birth mother Arinzo (played by director Iyabo Ojo), whom everyone believed had died years ago.
Stylistic and Cinematic Elements
While the storytelling is jittery and slapdash in places, the cinematography is stylish and crisp, full of shadowy lighting and backlighting that enhance the noir atmosphere. The story focuses on feuding families, but crowd scenes in streets and churches, along with drone shots, provide a strong sense of the wider social context. The Return of Arinzo is in UK cinemas from 1 May.
