Jenifa, the film that catapulted Funke Akindele into mega-stardom, is now available on Youtube. By 2008, Akindele was already a veteran in her own right, but she has never been the star of the show, until Jenifa. The film was highly successful and popular, and when she released the sequel The Return of Jenifa, its popularity soared. Akindele continues to exploit the film’s popularity with the hilarious Jenifa’s Diary series and its spinoff, Aiyetoro Town.
The film worked because of its relatable lead character, Suliat, a village girl who experiences a cultural shock when she goes to university in Lagos. She learns that the respect accorded to her in Aiyetoro because of her supposed trendy sartorial sense is non-existent in Lagos. However, Suliat manages to adapt.
Jenifa stars Iyabo Ojo, Eniola Badmus, Mosunmola Filani, Adebayo Salami, Odunlade Adekoya, Jide Kosoko and Ronke Odunsanya. The film changed Akindele’s life, she won her first major award – the Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 2008 African Movie Academy Award (AMAA) – and it is the foundation for her thriving production company, Scene One.
Watch Jenifa below.