Isoken is in her thirties, successful and unmarried, and her family will not let her forget it. At every gathering, aunties ask when she will settle down. Her mother has a suitable Nigerian man in mind. Then Isoken meets Kevin, a British photographer, and falls for him. The romantic comedy Isoken, released in 2017, turned that familiar pressure into a warm, funny film that struck a chord with many Nigerian women.
The director and the leads
Jade Osiberu, a producer who had worked in television, made her directing debut with Isoken. She later produced hits such as Sugar Rush and Brotherhood. Dakore Akande, a well-known Nollywood actress, plays Isoken. Her performance was praised for its humour and warmth. Marc Rhys, a British actor, plays Kevin, the photographer whose relationship with Isoken causes family drama.
Isoken’s family is Edo, and the film features Edo customs, food and family dynamics. The traditional wedding scenes show Edo attire and coral beads.
Family pressure and a new rom-com
The film pokes fun at the pressure many Nigerian women face to marry by a certain age and to choose a partner who fits family expectations. Isoken’s relationship with Kevin raises questions about culture, identity and acceptance, handled with humour rather than heavy drama. The film includes familiar Nollywood faces as Isoken’s family and friends, adding to the comedy.
Isoken was released in Nigerian cinemas in 2017 and was a commercial success. The film received nominations and awards at Nigerian ceremonies, including the AMVCA. Isoken later reached a wider audience on streaming platforms. The film was part of a wave of polished Nollywood romantic comedies that drew middle-class audiences to cinemas.
Why it worked and the weddings
Many viewers said they recognised their own families in the film. The aunties, the questions at parties and the matchmaking attempts felt familiar to Nigerian women both at home and abroad, which helped the film spread by word of mouth. The film’s traditional wedding sequences are colourful and lively, with music, dancing and Edo attire that delighted audiences.
The film moves between offices, restaurants and family homes in Lagos, presenting a polished picture of the city that suited its light romantic tone. Isoken ends with a wedding, as most romantic comedies do. The aunties at that wedding, however, are the characters audiences remembered best.
