Ayinla
Directed byTunde Kelani
Produced byJadesola Osiberu
StarringLateef Adedimeji
Omowumi Dada
Bimbo Manuel
Ade Laoye
Kunle Afolayan
Bimbo Ademoye
Mr Macaroni
Distributed byFilmOne
Release dates
  • 13 June 2021 (2021-06-13) (Lagos premiere)
  • 18 June 2021 (2021-06-18)
Running time
110 minutes
CountryNigeria
LanguageYoruba
Budget₦50 Million
Box office₦91,470,900[1]

Ayinla is a musical eponymous film based on the life of Ayinla Yusuf popularly known as Ayinla Omowura, an Apala musician who was stabbed to death by his manager named Bayewu in a bar fight on 6 May 1980 at Abeokuta.[2] The film premiered on 13 June 2021 in Lagos and was released to theatres on 18 June 2021.[3][4][5] Directed by Tunde Kelani, the film was set in the 1970s and early 1980s and shot in Abeokuta, Ogun State.[2] Lateef Adedimeji assumed the role of Ayinla, starring alongside Omowumi Dada, Bimbo Manuel, Ade Laoye, Kunle Afolayan, Bimbo Ademoye and Mr Macaroni.[6][7][8] Ayinla is Kelani's first major film since his 2015 release of Dazzling Mirage.[2] The budget for this feature film is officially given as ₦50 Million.[3]

Synopsis

Ayinla is a quick-tempered and promiscuous Apala musician at the peak of his career. Ajala, a show promoter, offers to take Ayinla and his Apala group on tour in London, as their music has been in high demand in the city. While arrangements for the London trip are underway, Ayinla takes his manager, Bayewu's girlfriend, which leads to enmity between them. Ayinla decides to confront Bayewu in a bar, leading to an unintended brawl and Ayinla's untimely death.

Cast

Production and release

Ayinla was set shot on location in Abeokuta.[9] It was produced by Jadesola Osiberu and the production was sponsored by First Bank of Nigeria.[5][10] The film premiered on 13 June 2021 in Lagos.[5]

Reception

A reviewer scored the film 7 out of 10 saying "Conclusively, Ayinla proves to be worth the hype. That it succeeds is largely due to Adedimeji Lateef and director Tunde Kelani. No film is perfect but this one takes its place among the Nollywood greats in recent times.[11] Commenting on the movie in a Nigerian Tribune review, Adekunle Sulaimon said "some scenes that Ayinla songs are being sung, Adedimeji’s voice was not at par with the music played and the feud between Bayewu and Ayinla was not adequately represented, a scene of their squabble is not enough to tell of the duo arch-rivalry despite how heated their enmity was spoken of in Abeokuta." He rated the movie 8 out of 10.[9] Also, a review published on The Lagos Review, reiterated why the film was not exactly a biopic, "What the film lacks in biographical fidelity, it makes up for in performances, costuming, locations and props, etc. There is no controversy at all in describing Ayinla as a musical. Right from the first scene, the audience is immersed in the melodious baritone and drums that are characteristic of Omowura’s Apala music. This tempo is maintained through a significant part of the film. The implication of this is that there are no dull moments for the audience, at least until the melancholy of tragedy sets in."[12] Vivian Nwajiaku of Afrocritik rated the film 6.4/10 and said "Ayinla is undoubtedly an impressive film. What it lacks in plot, it makes up for with great acting. Indeed, in spite of its flaws, it places Nollywood on the right path and sets a precedent for future biopics".[13]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Recipient Result Ref
2021 Africa Movie Academy Awards Best Actor in a Leading Role Lateef Adedimeji Nominated [14]
Achievement in Cinematography Ayinla Won
Best Film in An African Language Nominated
Best Nigerian Film Nominated

References

  1. ↑ "Tunde Kelani's 'Ayinla' hits N70.5m in box office — one month after release". TheCable Lifestyle. 21 July 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Augoye, Jayne (11 December 2020). "Tunde Kelani commences movie on late Apala legend, Ayinla Omowura". Premium Times. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  3. 1 2 Akintunde, Dami (18 May 2022). "Ayinla – From Box Office To Netflix: How It Turned Out To Be A 2021 Big Screen Underdog". Shock NG. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  4. ↑ Ajayi, Dami (1 March 2021). "Nigeria's Ayinla Omowura: The original gangster and patron saint of Abeokuta's working class". The Africa Report. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 Odutola, Abiola (12 June 2021). "FIRST BANK'S sponsored movie 'AYINLA', premieres this Sunday in Lagos". Nairametrics. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  6. ↑ Nwogu, Precious (14 December 2020). "Tunde Kelani announces production of Ayinla Omowura biopic titled 'Ayinla'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  7. ↑ Odutuyo, Adeyinka (16 December 2020). "Mr Macaroni, Kunle Afolayan, others spotted on set of Tunde Kelani's film". Legit.ng. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  8. ↑ Agesin, Ooreofejesu (22 December 2020). "Kunle Afolayan completes work on Ayinla set, returns to new movie". QED.NG. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  9. 1 2 Sulaimon, Adekunle (26 June 2021). "'Ayinla' movie review: X-raying Aristotle's poetics in the life of the Apala connoisseur". Nigerian Tribune. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  10. ↑ Nwogu, Precious (24 May 2021). "Here's the official trailer for 'Ayinla' directed by Tunde Kelani". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  11. ↑ "'Ayinla' Review: Tunde Kelani's Movie Worth The Hy..." allnews.ng. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  12. ↑ "Demystifying Ọmọwúrà: Review of Tunde Kelani's "Àyìnlá" - 'Joba Ojelabi". The Lagos Review. 27 June 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  13. ↑ "Movie Review: Tunde Kelani's Ayinla". Archived from the original on 18 October 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  14. ↑ Banjo, Noah (29 October 2021). "FULL LIST: Ayinla, Omo Ghetto: The Saga bag multiple nominations at AMAA 2021". Punch Newspapers. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021.

Ayinla at IMDb

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