A Tribe Called Judah

A Tribe Called Judah is a 2023 Nigerian film produced by Funke Akindele and starring Funke Akindele, Timini Egbuson, Jide Kene Achufusi, Uzee Usman, Tobi Makinde, Olumide Oworu, Genoveva Umeh, Nse Ikpe Etim, Juliana Olayode, Uzor Arukwe, Fathia Balogun, Yvonne Jegede and many others. The film was released to cinemas nationwide on December 15, 2023. Akindele has said the film is dedicated to her late mother and draws partially from her mother's life.

Synopsis

A Tribe Called Judah tells the story of a single mother, Jedidah Judah (played by Funke Akindele), who has five sons from five different fathers from five different tribes. The first two sons are responsible and try their best to work and support their mother. Meanwhile, the last three are less helpful: Pere (played by Timini Egbuson) is a chronic pickpocket, Shina (played by Tobi Makinde) is a hoodlum and tout in the community; and the last, Ejiro (played by Olumide Oworu), is naughty and only cares about his girlfriend, Testimony (played by Genoveva Umeh). Despite their bad behavior, Jedidah continues to support them and get them out of trouble.

Things take a turn for the worse when Jedidah develops a chronic kidney disease, needing ₦18 million to fund her operation and ₦400,000 weekly for her dialysis. The first son, Emeka, loses his job, and the five sons see no other option than to rob Emeka's ex-boss, who is rumored to be a money launderer, to get the money to save their mother's life. However, their plans take a dramatic turn when they encounter armed robbers at the scene.

Selected cast

• Funke Akindele as Jedidah Judah
• Jide Kene Achufusi as Emeka Judah
• Uzee Usman as Adamu Judah
• Timini Egbuson as Pere Judah
• Tobi Makinde as Shina Judah
• Olumide Oworu as Ejiro Judah
• Genoveva Umeh as Testimony
• Ebele Okaro as Grandma
• Uzor Arukwe as Chairman Chigozie Onouha
• Nse Ikpe Etim as Collette
• Juliana Olayode as Hilda
• Fathia Balogun as Mama Caro
• Paschaline Alex Okoli as Mummy Michael
• Sinmi Hassan as Daddy Michael
• Yvonne Jegede as Modupe
• Boma Akpore as Deji
• Ibrahim Yekini as Itele
• Etinosa Idemudia
• Nosa Rex as Jerry
• Gregory Ojefua as Pluto

Production and release

Following the release of A Tribe Called Judah to cinemas on December 15, 2023, the film became the first Nollywood film to gross over ₦113 million in its opening weekend. The film became the first Nollywood movie to hit 1 billion naira at the box office.