Movie Review: Áfàméfùnà, an NwaBoi Story

The concept of NwaBoi (Stakeholder Capitalism) has been in practice for decades in the Igbo community in Nigeria and has led to be one of the most illustrious ways of growing business. It's an apprenticeship system that allows young fellows (NwaBoi) gain tutelage from experienced traders over a period of years based on the agreement that after a certain time, the NwaBoi is sent off with capital to start his own business.

For more on this, check it out: https://hbr.org/2021/05/a-nigerian-model-for-stakeholder-capitalism

Anyway, when I saw the name, I knew I would see it. Not only am I Igbo but the idea of a story that tells the life of an NwaBoi was one I looked forward to. So, I watched, dwelt and here I am with my review.

Quick Recap

The movie follows the life of Afamefuna as he starts his apprenticeship under Oga Odogwu. His life is one of discipline, integrity, honesty and uprightness, that is until love comes into play and an unusual death threatens his reputation.

Plot

The movie ran for 2 hours or so and the first half was a hit. It followed the life of a young Afam as his mother negotiates to have him serve under Odogwu, a well-established trader who would teach him the ropes. We see Afam move from a novice to a senior in the shop as he takes on other young apprentices and proves his loyalty to his boss.

This was the story I had anticipated from the name. It was worth the watch to that extent until things went sideways.

The Interrogation

The movie started with the police interrupting Afam’s memorial which he threw in memory of his late father. He willingly agrees to go with them and at the station the story unravels.

The Love Story

I’m a sucker for a cute love story but that of Afam and Amaka was a no for me. Adam had been pining for her since his early NwaBoi years but she was more interested in his counterpart, Paul who proved to be a scoundrel and disloyal apprentice who was never sent forth because of his greed.

Amaka realises that Paul has no future plans for her and then speedily moves to plan B, Afam.

Now, I was irritated.
Imagine this for a minute: A young girl who's the daughter of a reputable trader falls for one of her father’s boys.

Okay. That's not even a problem. Love happens in weird settings, but then she falls for the wrong one who goes as far as making her steal her dad's money for him.

Over the years she has stolen in bits until he made her steal a million naira which he ghosted her on.

Some years later he refuses and somehow she believed he would be serious with her.

How? I read so many thoughts on how many relationships often come to being if one settles and the other loves and it's complete nonsense for me.

Fine. She settles for Afam who feels like the luckiest man in the world.

The Other End

Fast forward years later and we hear that Afam ran into Paul, the ex and having heard Paul was in debt to some cartel, takes it on to settle the bill by paying 5 million a month.

Excuse me!
Not, excuse me a minute.
How? Why? For what? Because he felt guilty.

Guilty? Really. He felt guilty that Paul never got his sent forth because he, Afam, did and as such ended up on the bad side of the cartel.

I was still trying to digest that bit of news when it then came to light that Paul was blackmailing Afam with the paternity of their son. That is, Paul was the father of Afam and Amaka's son and was ready to tell the world.

First thought: How did he know? How exactly did he know Amaka was pregnant for him before she went for Afam?

Second thought: How did Amaka mot know that she was pregnant for Paul?

Third thought: Why in the hell did Afam think the blackmail would stop if he simply paid?

I couldn't wrap my head around his reasons and it absolutely didn't make sense but, oh, well.

Cast

Stan Nze is one of my favourite people and I always enjoy watching on screen. As Afam, he brought the character to life and bodied the role perfectly.

Alex Ekubo isn't one of my favourite actors but as Paul, he was so annoying you just hated him and as such shows how good he is.

Kanayo O Kanayo is a legend in the industry and as Odogwu he was the best.

My Thoughts

The first half of the movie was amazing. I smiled through it as I watched a young Afam grow to become a wealthy businessman but as the movie went into the love triangle it just messed the whole plot up and I got fed up. It’s okay to watch but you may get mad midway.