Aramotu is a 2010 Nigerian drama film directed by Niji Akanni. It stars Idiat Sobande, Kayode Odumosu and Gabriel Afolayan.[1] It received 7 nominations at the 7th Africa Movie Academy Awards and won the awards for Best Nigerian Film and Best Costume Design.[2][3]

Aramotu
Film poster
Directed byNiji Akanni
Screenplay byNiji Akanni
Produced byFemi Ogunrombi
Starring
CinematographyRamesh Babu Raparthy
Edited byAbimbola Taiwo
Distributed byTreasure Chest Entertainment Ltd
Release date
  • 20 December 2010 (2010-12-20)
Running time
120 minutes
CountryNigeria
Budget15 million Naira

Plot

Set in 1909, the film tells a story of a wealthy female trader, Aramotu (Idiat Sobande) in an extremely culture-conscious yoruba community. She tries to use the congenial qualities of the Gelede Cult in getting ideas on women's rights and establishing a government centered on the needs of the people. She formed a clan that includes a singer (Gabriel Afolayan) which eventually breaks up her marriage with her kindhearted husband (Kayode Odumosu). This new relationship threatens to kill everything she has built and affects her relationship with other community leaders negatively.

Cast

Release

It was released on 20 February 2011 at Coral Reef, Ikoya Avenue ikoyi, Lagos State. The film has been screened at several festivals around the world, including 2nd Africa International Film Festival, Lagos, Nigeria (2011), Samsung Women's International Film Festival, Chennai, India (2012), Africa In The Picture Film Festival, Amsterdam (2012), Arusha African International Film Festival, Tanzania (2013) and International Film Festival of Kerala, India (2013)

It has also featured as showcase film at academic forums on contemporary African Cinema at the 3rd Ife International Film Festival, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria (2012), and at the Tamar Golan Africa Centre, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel (2017)

Accolades

List of Major Awards
AwardCategoryRecipients and nomineesResult
Yoruba Movie Academy
(3rd Yoruba Movie Academy Awards)[4]
Best Cultural MovieNiji AkanniWon
Achievement in DirectingNiji AkanniWon
Best PictureNiji AkanniWon
Africa Film Academy
(7th Africa Movie Academy Awards)[5]
Best Nigerian FilmNiji AkanniWon
Best FilmNiji AkanniNominated
Best Best DirectorNiji AkanniNominated
Best ActressIdiat ShobandeNominated
Best Film in an African LanguageNiji AkanniNominated
Best Visual EffectsAbimbola TaiwoNominated
Best Costume DesignWon

References