Netflix releases Afamefuna (Igbo apprenticeship hit)

On Friday, March 29, 2024, Afamefuna: The Nwa Boi Story—proud to be the first full-length movie about the Igbo apprenticeship system—debuted on Netflix.

The resurgence of a community’s economy through the ability of prosperous Igbo men to mentor and bestow blessings on their apprentices, thus extending the cycle of wealth creation, is the significance of the film Afamefuna: The Nwa Boi Story.

The film, which was directed by Kayode Kasum, stars a stellar cast that includes Atlanta, Stan Nze, Alexx Ekubo, and Kanayo O. Kanayo.

Segun Arinze, Bridget Johnson, and Jide Kene Achufusi, with appearances by Noble Igwe. Lawumi Fajemirokun and Kenechukwu Egbue served as executive producers alongside Omobayowa Alabi, who produced the movie.

Certainly, the film is a tribute to the Igbo community’s rich cultural fabric, interwoven with captivating stories of entrepreneurship and the pursuit of economic fresh vitality through the prisms of love, treachery, and redemption.

Afamefuna tells the tale of the startling contrast between the opulent memorial for her father and the tragic learning of Paul’s death.

The tone is set compellingly by Inspector Shehau’s subsequent investigation into Paul’s death via Afamefuna’s account.

The movie explores Afamefuna’s transformation from a novice under Odogwu’s tutelage to a successful businessman, exposing the depth of sacrifice and camaraderie amid betrayal inherent in the Igbo apprenticeship system.

The two-hour and eight-minute film Afamefuna is a visual feast that stands out for its careful cinematography and vibrant color scheme. The soundtrack, which is replete with proverbs and Igbo language, gives the movie a strong sense of authenticity and cultural pride.

The movie delves deeply into three themes: ambition, sacrifice, and resilience, which are essential to both Igbo culture and the human experience as a whole. It dispels myths, showcasing the authenticity and uniqueness of the Igbo apprenticeship tradition, and emphasizes the importance of transmitting and preserving cultural traditions.

“Afamefuna” offers a profound, enlightening cinematic journey into Igbo heritage and the human spirit, going beyond simple entertainment. Numerous nominations and awards attest to its popularity and universal appeal, as does its critical acclaim.