Nneka the Pretty Serpent

Twenty years after its release, Okechukwu Ogunjiofor’s 1992 movie, Nneka the Pretty Serpent, remains a reference point for Nollywood in the past.

It helped in launching the careers of Nollywood stars such as Ndidi Obi, Eucharia Anunobi, Ngozi Ezeonu and Rita Nzelu. Although critics opined that the film was fashioned after the 1976 Indian movie Najin, it was worth the effort.

Released during the VHS and Shoulder Pads era and directed by Zeb Ejiro, the star-studded movie featured  cameo appearances by late James Iroha (Gringory of the New Masquerade fame, who died in 2012), the late Claude Eke (Jegede Shokoya also of New Masquerade fame, who died in 2002) and  the late singer Nelly Uchendu.

The story revolved around Nneka (Obi), a mermaid in human form, who loved going after married men. Nneka’s supernatural powers helped her in hypnotising any man she fancied. She contended with a number of obstacles and eventually destroyed anything that stood between her and her desires.

 From the opening of the film, there appeared a confrontation between Nneka and the wife of one of her victims, thus establishing the conflict. Shot in Igbo Language and subtitled in English, the storyline could be excused for not being stereotypical because it was the reality then.

Perhaps because of the superlative acting exhibited by the late Sam Loco, Kanayo O. Kanayo and Anunobi, the film’s shortcomings were overlooked.   The soundtrack, considered a bit annoying (and scary to kids back then), was quite catchy and in turn, apt for the movie. Remembering the lines, “Nneka M O, Obugini”, elicits some nostalgia about how much Nollywood has evolved. 

Following the success of the first two parts, a third part titled The Return of Nneka was released a few years later.  It didn’t quite make as much impact as the first two parts because it faced serious competition from other movies such as Rattle Snake, Taboo and Evil Passion.