On Friday 10th June 2016, The Odeon Cinema Greenwich went alive again when veteran Actress, writer and Producer Funke Akindele stormed the red carpet with what was tagged An Evening with Funke Akindele.
The objective of this evening was to introduce her latest effort called Jenifa’s Diaries. The night featured a lot of top Nollywood UK stakeholders, fans of Funke and members of the public. Babso.org was there to capture the event.
This was not a traditional premiere as we know it but an awareness campaign of Jenifa’s Diaries. On the night the audience was captivated with Series 1 and 2 of the series and also had a peek at the making of the series and what to expect in Series 5. The star of the series Funke then took time to take questions from the audience.
Since this was not a premiere, I would not be reviewing it but making a few comments. The first thing I noticed on the night was the simplicity and humility of Funke. When she arrived on the red carpet, one could easily have missed her. No limousines, no fancy dress and very willing to stop chat and take photographs with her fans. So many selfies that day! I must commend Funke for this, but it is not surprising if you hear her story and where she is coming from.
Now to the series itself, since it would be airing on TV soon, shot mainly in Lagos Nigeria, Funke who was the lead character and I shall not give any details here so as not to spoil the fun when those of you that missed the evening watch it was as comic as usual. The series is relevant, realistic, simple to follow and above all very humorous. From what I saw in the peek to the Series 5, I cannot wait to watch it.
Summing up Jenifa’s Diaries is a must watch. I know that IrokoTV has the rights to it but I am not sure where it would be shown. Wherever it would be shown, please take time yourself to watch it. Funke from what we saw in the making is a perfectionist, she knows what she wants and is involved not from the distance. She also encourages the upcoming artists by helping them develop. Even during auditions, she tells them how best to portray an act.
The good news we heard is that part of Jenifa’s Diaries would be shot in London. To Funke and the team of Jenifa’s Diaries, I say keep doing what you do best, keep it real and keep making us laugh yet think of the realities of the stories you are trying to tell
We at Babso.org look forward to watching the full epidodes of Jenifa’s Dairies. I would leave you with a trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSvAG_4NExs
Babs Carew
Lead Reviewer
Babso.org