Five reasons to add 20 Pound Dream to your watchlist

20 Pound Dream is a story about Kene, who is seen as a failure by his father because he settled as a martial arts trainer despite his university degree and his family’s booming businesses. When one of Kene’s friends comes to visit, he teases him about his success and reminds him of the resources in Eastern Nigeria they can export to make money. But Kene isn’t interested. He is a man on a journey to destiny, a man whose happiness comes with the simpler things of life, like his girlfriend’s smile or his students following his instructions correctly.

What captures you in this movie, directed by TED fellow, CLAM magazine founder and Relentless director Andy Amadi Okoroafor, is Nnewi’s dreamy nature in the morning and the many mysterious characters and events revolving around Kene (played by Gideon Okeke) that will alter his life forever.

Here are five things to look forward to in this captivating arthouse drama.

It praises the Igbo’s spirit of survival

From the title, it is easy to see the film as a nod to the entrepreneurial and survival spirit of the Igbo. After the brutal civil war, most Igbo were disposed of their properties and given 20 pounds to start their life. Kene’s uncle was one of them. After the war, he left Nigeria for Hong Kong, where he built thriving businesses and become a respected member of the society. This is a nod to the Igbo never-say-never spirit, who are known to prosper wherever they settle. 

Tina Mba’s and Gideon Okeke’s performances

Mba carries her character as a scorned woman with authority, while Okeke portrays Kene’s inner battles, fears, and feelings of being at a loss with great relatability.

Dreamy pictures of Nnewi

Director Andy Amadi Okoroafor shows you a Nnewi that is dreamy and lush, and full of green (prosperity). Nnewi is where Kene is comfortable and safe, but must leave to find his destiny in Yokohama, where he feels lost and ill-prepared.

The fight scenes

Despite martial art movies being popular with Nigerian creatives, they haven’t always been executed well in our movies. 20 Pound Dream is refreshing in this regard; the fight scenes are beautifully choreographed and cut seamlessly.

It is a Japan-Nigeria coproduction

Shot on two continents, in Yokohama, Enugu, Nnewi, Onitsha, and Awka, the 20 Pound Dream also stars Africa Movie Academy Award nominees Obi Okoli (Men on Hard Way), and Swanky JK (Living in Bondage); Senegalese-born Cesar nominee Aïssa Maïga (The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, The African Doctor); and Japanese cast Kenjiro Otani and Shinsho Nakamaru.