Nneka the Pretty Serpent (1994 film)

Nneka the Pretty Serpent
Directed by	Zeb Ejiro
Written by	Zeb Ejiro
Starring	Ndidi Obi Eucharia Anunobi Rita Nzelu Sam Loco
Production companies	Klink Studios Videosonic Studios
Release dates	1994 (1994) (Part 1) 1995 (1995) (Part 2)
Running time	120 minutes
Country	Nigeria
Language	Igbo

Nneka the Pretty Serpent is a two-part 1994 Nigerian horror drama film directed and written by Zeb Ejiro and produced by Okechukwu Ogunjiofor. It is regarded as the Nollywood movie that started the trend of storylines involving demon-possessed subjects who are cleansed by pastors.^[1][2]

Plot

Nneka the Pretty Serpent follows the story of a woman who desperately wants to conceive a child of her own. In order to conceive, she meets the river goddess (also referred to as Mami Wata) for help. She promises to dedicate the child to the river goddess for her help. The woman in turn conceives and delivers a female child named Nneka. Nneka possesses supernatural powers which she uses to perpetuate evil; her aim is to seduce prominent married men in order to take their money and souls. Nneka was possessed by the queen mother spirit to kill six people that took her powers in the drama (NNEKA THE PRETTY SERPENT). Each one of them had a weakness, the first person's weakness was that he was addicted to women. The second person, Fatima, was addicted to perfume.

Cast

• Ndidi Obi as Nneka
• Okechukwu Ogunjiofor as Tony Chukwudifu Nwosu
• Eucharia Anunobi
• Ngozi Ezeonu as Nkechi
• Rita Nzelu as Ifeoma 'Ify'
• Sam Loco as Mazi Nwosu
• Kanayo O.Kanayo as Emeka
• James Iroha as Chima Ogbonna
• Claude Eke as Nneka's husband
• Nelly Uchendu as Mama Nwosu
• Zack Orji
• Chima Anyamkpa as Reverend
• Chima Ezeobi as C.Y.
• Ify Igidi as Ebere
• Oleh Nnenna as Ethel
• Collins Onyenze as Kalu

Production and release

The film was shot in Igbo with English subtitles.^[2] It was set in Lagos.^[3]

Reception

The film achieved commercial success despite being shot in Igbo Language and subtitled in English Language.^[2][4] Movies such as Karishika, Sakobi, Izaga, Highway to the Grave and Witches were said to have been influenced by Nneka the Pretty Serpent.^[1][5]

Remake

The remake of Nneka the Pretty Serpent was announced in January 2020 by Charles Okpaleke of Play Network Studios. It was released in cinemas in December 2020 and distributed by Genesis Cinemas and Nairabox.^[6] Ndidi Obi was also featured in the remake.^[7]

References

1. Izuzu, Chibumga (2017-08-24). "Tribute to "Nneka the Pretty Serpent," an influential Nollywood horror movie". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2021-06-23.
2. Ndeche, Chidirim (2020-07-05). "Five Classic Nigerian Stories Coming To Cinemas". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2021-06-23.
3. Nwachukwu-Agbada, J.O.J. (1997-04-26). "Women in Igbo-Language Videos: The Virtuous and the Villainous". Matatu. 19 (1): 67–80. doi:10.1163/18757421-90000256. ISSN 0932-9714.
4. "Nneka, the Pretty Serpent". Vanguard News. 2014-09-26. Retrieved 2021-08-15.
5. "Why Nollywood Classics Still Retain an Influence on the Nigerian Film Industry". The Wire. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
6. Udodiong, Inemesit (2020-01-31). "'Nneka The Pretty Serpent': This 1992 Nollywood classic is getting remade - here is what we know so far". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2021-06-23.
7. Ojo, James (2020-11-30). "Bovi: How I begged for role in 'Nneka the Pretty Serpent' remake". TheCable Lifestyle. Retrieved 2021-06-23.

External links

• Nneka the Pretty Serpent at IMDb