These films are classics which dominated the ’90s and represented what Nollywood was about.

‘Living In Bondage’

Year of Release: 1992

Director: Chris Obi Rapu

Cast: Kanayo O. Kanayo, Francis Agu, Kenneth Okonkwo, Ngozi Nwosu, Daniel Oluigbo

Trivia: This film was shot with the sum of N150,000 but had made about N20m soon after its release.

Generally regarded as the first Nigerian hit film, Living in Bondage tells the story of Andy Okeke, businessman whose dealings with a money-cult leads to the ritual killing of his wife. It does not take too long before her ghost begins to haunt him and his wealth is short-lived.

‘Glamour Girls’

Year of Release: 1994

Director: Chika Onukwufor

Cast: Liz Benson, Zack Orji, Keppy Ekpeyong, Sola Fosudo, Ernest Obi, Gloria Anozie, Sandra Achums, Jennifer Okeke, Eucharia Anunobi.

Trivia: Zack Orji was suspended by his church for his role in this film. In a scene, he is seen fondling Eucharia Anunobi in a bathroom.

This film was a breakaway from the regular themes of rituals and family brouhaha witnessed in the industry at that time. It told the story of love and its complexities. The film’s main undertone was sex which no doubt made it one of the most daring and ambitious of its time.

‘Mortal Inheritance’

Year of Release: 1995

Director: Andy Amenechi

Cast: Fred Amata, Omotola Jalade, Kunle Bamtefa, Abiola Atanda.

Trivia: This movie gave Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde her break in the industry and she has not looked back since, although there is an argument in certain quarters that she has not put up a better performance till date.

Love and the dreaded sickle cell scourge are the predominant themes in this movie.

‘Owo Blow’

Year of Release: 1995

Director: Tade Ogidan

Cast: Adewale Elesho, Taiwo Hassan, Rachel Oniga, Bimbo Akintola, Femi Adebayo, Yinka Quadri, Binta Ayo Mogaji, Sam Loco Efe.

Trivia: Femi Adebayo’s break in the movie industry came through this film in which he played the younger version of Taiwo Hassan’s character.

Owo Blow tells the story of a young man who runs away from home to escape family brouhaha and ends up on the street.

‘Domitilla’

Year of Release: 1996

Director: Zeb Ejiro

Cast: Anne Njemanze, Enebeli Elebuwa, Sandra Achums, Kate Henshaw, Basorge Tariah Jnr.

Trivia: Anne Njemanze had to go to Edo State to learn fluent Pidgin before shooting began.

Domitilla tells the story of an average Nigerian prostitute’s battle for survival. Almost immediately after the release of the film, due to its resounding success, the title became a replacement for ‘prostitute’ in the street lexicon.

‘Violated’

Year of Release: 1996

Director: Amaka Igwe

Cast: Richard Mofe Damijo, Ego Boyo, Joke Silva, Kunle Bamtefa, Mildred Iweka

Trivia: When Joke Silva played RMD’s mother in the film, she was just two years older than him.

This classic by Amaka Igwe narrated the love story between a man and a woman with two distinct financial backgrounds.

‘Hostages’

Year of Release: 1996

Director: Tade Ogidan

Cast: Tunji Sotimirin, Bimbo Manuel Udokwu, Zainab Bukky Ajayi, Tope Idowu, Lanre Balogun, Richard Mofe Damijo

Trivia: This film was shot in 1991 but was released 5 years after.

Its storyline was wrapped around a young man’s love for a woman from a very wealthy family. Hostages holds the bragging rights of being the first Nigerian film to employ the use of an helicopter.

‘Oleku’

Year of Release: 1995

Director: Tunde Kelani

Cast: Yemi Sodimu, Feyikemi Abodunrin, Pauline Dike, Omolola Amusan, Hafiz Oyetoro, Gboyega Olomodosi.

Trivia: A large chunk of this film was shot in the University of Ibadan. Oleku is a cinematic adaptation of a novel with the same name by Professor Akinwunmi Isola.

Yemi Sodimu who played Ajani in the film finds himself in a quandary with three women – Asake, Lola and Sade – despite the fact that he is still a final-year student in the University.

‘Igodo’

Year of Release: 1999

Director: Andy Amenechi, Don Pedro Obaseki

Cast: Pete Edochie, Nobert Young, Joe Layode, Charles Okafor, Ignis Ekwe, Chidi Mokeme, Sam Dede

Trivia: Don Pedro Obadeki wrote Igodo in 1996 but did not get to shoot it until 1998. Omololu Ogunleye and Stanley Okorie provided music for the production.

The film is set in the fictitious Land of the Living Dead where Amadioha was unleashing carnage on its people. The generous use of special effects made the film even very popular and scary.