Juju Stories

Juju Stories is a three-part anthology film exploring juju stories rooted in Nigerian folklore and urban legend, written and directed by C.J. Obasi, Abba Makama and Michael Omonua. The film written and directed by the Surreal16 Collective features three stories: "Love Potion" by Omonua, "Yam" by Makama, and "Suffer the Witch" by Obasi. It was released theatrically in Nigeria on 21 January 2022.

Cast

Belinda Agedah Yanga as Mercy
Paul Utomi as Leonard
Elvis Poko as Tohfik
Don Ekwuazi as Amos
Nengi Adoki as Joy
Bukola Oladipupo as Chinwe
Timini Egbuson as Ikenna
Seun Kentebe as Laolu
Sarah Joe as Simi
Oluwabunmi Sogade as Faith
Uzoamaka Aniunoh as Upperclass Woman
Michael O. Ejoor as Upperclass Man
Eric Nwanso as Edet
Ebuka Mike Uzoma Abiodun
Mene Sodjie as Eunice
Valerie Dish as Deborah
Rhoda Albert as Patience
Chisom Coco Ofor as Binta
Elvis Duke as Ebele
Donald Ndubuisi as Mark
Saheed David as Lecturer
Roseanne Adenuga as Mortician/Madwoman/Beggar

Plot summary

Juju Stories tackles juju in contemporary Lagos through three stories. In "Love Potion" by Omonua, an unmarried woman agrees to use juju to find her ideal mate. In "Yam" by Makama, consequences arise when a street urchin picks up seemingly random money from the roadside. In "Suffer the Witch" by Obasi, love and friendship turn into obsession when a young college woman attracts her crush's interest.

Reception

Juju Stories first premiered at the 2021 edition of the Locarno Film Festival. It won the Boccalino d'Oro award for best film. It is scheduled for theatrical release in 12 countries on 31 October 2021. It was listed as one of the best African films of 2022.