‘Finding Nina’, produced by Nemesia Studios and directed by Famous Odion Iraoya, premiered on Prime Video on August 8.
The synopsis and trailer promised a romantic story set against the backdrop of northern Nigeria, but the film plays out differently, leaning more into a love triangle while offering little of the northern setting it teased.
What it lacks in narrative alignment, however, it makes up for with exceptional cinematography.
SYNOPSIS
Renowned photographer JB returns to Northern Nigeria to reconnect with his roots. A photo of his childhood love, Nina, sparks a surreal journey of memory, love, and self-discovery, forcing him to confront the past and rediscover who he truly is.
STRONG POINTS OF THE FILM
The film’s strongest element is its cinematography. It is bold, colorful, and visually striking. Both the aerial and ground shots were impressive, but the gallery opening scene stood out the most. The way the photos showcased were captured was not only beautiful but also captivating to watch.
The cast gave commendable performances in bringing their characters to life, particularly Ijapari Ben-Hirki, Ahmed Isa, and Paul Sambo, who added depth to the story. Ahmed Isa stood out the most as Abdul, delivering a convincing performance through his expressions, dialogue, and overall presence. On the other hand, Abdulazeem M. Ibrahim could have loosened up a little more for his character to feel relatable. His emotions didn’t fully connect, likely due to a somewhat restrained performance, though it was still decent.
Another strong point of the film is its language authenticity. The characters who spoke Hausa did so with such fluency and conviction that it added a natural rhythm to the storytelling. It didn’t feel forced or superficial; instead, it made the film more believable and grounded in its cultural setting. This attention to language detail gave the movie an extra layer of realism and authenticity, making the experience richer for anyone familiar with the culture, while also drawing in those who may not be.
WEAK POINTS OF THE FILM
The film struggles with an incoherent plot, underdeveloped character arcs, and a lack of genuine emotional depth. From the start, it was clear that Raiyah had feelings for JB, yet he seemed to overlook her and instead pursued Nina, who was suddenly revealed as his childhood friend. Their connection felt forced, with no genuine emotional build-up to justify his obsession with her. Then, towards the end, the story abruptly shifted back to Raiyah as the person he truly loved, leaving Nina, the very character the film’s title revolved around, without proper closure. This lack of consistency in the romantic storyline made it difficult to connect with the characters or believe in their relationships.
Another flaw lies in JB’s mission to change the negative narrative about Northern Nigeria. He repeatedly emphasizes his role as a photographer determined to show the beauty of the region, yet the film doesn’t support this goal. Instead of showcasing the “exotic places” he claimed to have captured, what is mostly shown are dilapidated roads and almajiri boys, ironically reinforcing the very stereotypes he sought to challenge. The execution ended up contradicting the film’s own intentions.
The subplot surrounding JB’s parents also suffers from inconsistency. His narration about why his parents separated differs significantly from what his uncle later explained. Since JB stated he “heard” the story, not that he was “told,” the contradiction feels careless and undermines the narrative’s coherence.
Overall, the film could have gained a lot from a tighter plot and a more balanced pace, as it often felt unnecessarily slow. Stronger emotional arcs and more thoughtful storytelling would also have made a big difference. At several points, the emotions it tried to project came across as forced, which made it difficult to fully connect with the characters and the story’s intended impact.
FINAL VERDICT
‘FINDING NINA’ GETS A 5/10
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