Film Club: July's Picks

A monthly roundup of the best of African cinema.

As we settle into the second half of the year, B.Side’s Film Club brings you a selection of some of the best motion pictures from across the continent for your viewing pleasure. Even though some of these films aren’t currently screening at the cinema, we are sure to find them for you on various streaming platforms.

Our picks for the month include Netflix's first original Kenyan series, a daring Nollywood romantic comedy, a psychological comedy thriller, and dramas.

Country Queen

Country Queen, Netflix's first original Kenyan film tells the story of Akisa, a young woman who leaves her country home to become successful in the city. Upon returning home, she discovers that an unscrupulous mining company is poisoning the community. Her town and herself are both at stake when she makes a stand there.

The six episodes drama's primary focus is on shedding light on the illegal gold mining occurring in Kenya and other African countries. While many African countries are considered developing nations, they are blessed with abundant natural resources. All those riches have never been used to improve the lives of ordinary people, but to fill the pockets of corrupt politicians and businesspeople. Pencil thieves instead of gun thieves. As such, this type of story becomes essential as it reveals true and unique African stories in an exciting new voice and medium.

WHERE TO WATCH: NETFLIX

HEY YOU

Written and directed by filmmaker Uyoyou Adia, Hey You follows the life of an awkward 32-year-old software engineer whose life is turned upside down when he finds out the girl he wants to be with is the Fansalone (a website) model he obsesses over and she’s his next-door neighbour.

Abel (Timini Egbuson) and Bianca ( Efe Irele) gets entangled in an unconventional way while in pursuit of love. The raunchy film takes a bold step with romantic storytelling in Nollywood and the audience will be invested in knowing if the duo will eventually find love while staying true to who they are.