This movie has a bit of history to it: the first Living in Bondage film was released in 1992/1993 as a straight-to-video film and was directed by Chris Obi Rapu, written by Kenneth Nnebue and Okechukwu Ogunjiofor, produced by Ogunjiofor, and sponsored by Jafac Wine.
It stars Kenneth Okonkwo and Nnenna Nwabueze in their breakout roles. The film is also reputed to be the precursor of the modern Nollywood. So, yes, a lot of excitement and hype about this film.
But first a bit of a primer of the first film, Living In Bondage.
Living in Bondage follows a couple Andy (Kenneth Okonkwo) and Merit (Nnenna Nwabueze) who are ravaged by poverty, redundancy, infidelity, among other problems. Andy seeks a way out of their problems and is led by his friend Paul to a satanic cult that promises him wealth and influence in exchange for someone he loves.
After unsuccessfully trying to fool the cult with a prostitute (Tina), he sacrifices his wife, Merit, who dies in the hospital a few days after the ritual, but not before she curses him for his betrayal.
Andy becomes rich and successful, but he begins to face more problems in the form of paparazzi, his mistress Ego (Ngozi Nwosu) fleeing with his money, and Merit’s ghost haunting him everywhere he goes.
He seeks his cult’s help with his problems but is told by the chief priest that he can only pacify his late wife’s spirit by blinding and castrating himself. He refuses and becomes mentally deranged, living as a vagrant under a Lagos bridge.
Tina, the prostitute he tried to use as a decoy, finds him and takes him to her church where he confesses to Merit’s murder and is healed of his afflictions.
Now, Ramsey Nouah has made a sequel, making this his directorial debut.
Reports say Ramsey Nouah bought the rights to the movie from Kenneth Nnebue in 2015 with the intention of remaking the film. However, plans changed and instead, a sequel was planned based on years after the events of the original film.
Living in Bondage: Breaking Free follows Nnamdi, Andy Okeke‘s mysterious son, and his vaunting quest for the big life, one that he would do whatever it takes to make a reality. Nnamdi’s untamed quest for the quick buck, fast car, easy living, inevitably took him on a perilous journey.
Some of the cast from the original story also return for the sequel including Kenneth Okonkwo, Kanayo O. Kanayo and Bob Manual Udogwu. The sequel also stars Enyinna Nwigwe, Nancy Isime, Munachi Abii, and more.
Throughout the filming and production of the film, breadcrumbs have been dropped to whet the appetite of the audience before the film’s release.
BTS photos were released, and Ramsey Nouah also shared a video showing the journey from the beginning to the end of the production process.
Living in Bondage: Breaking Free promises to be mouthwatering considering the heavyweights that were contracted to record the soundtrack for the film. Larry Gaaga worked with such industry giants like Flavour, 2face, Davido, Patoranking, Reekado Banks, among others.
Steve Gukas served as the producer of the film, while Charles Okpaleke executive produced the film. It is set for release on 8 November 2019.
Are you excited?
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