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Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story

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Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story
Directed byRamsey Nouah
Screenplay byNicole Asinugo
Story byNicole Asinugo
Produced byChris Odeh
Charles Okpaleke
StarringStan Nze
Chiwetalu Agu
Osas Ighodaro
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde
Ayo Makun
Music byLarry Gaaga
Production
companies
Play Network Studios
Ramsey Films
Distributed byFilmone Distributions
Release date
  • 13 November 2020 (2020-11-13)
Running time
145 minutes
CountryNigeria
LanguageEnglish
Box office₦70 million [1]

Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story also known as The Armadas is a 2020 Nigerian thriller action film executive produced by Charles Okpaleke and directed by Ramsey Nouah.[2] It is the official remake of the 1995 Nigerian classic action thriller film Rattlesnake which was directed by Amaka Igwe.[3] The film stars Stan Nze, Chiwetalu Agu, Osas Ighodaro, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde and Ayo Makun in the lead roles.[4] It had its theatrical release on 13 November 2020.[5] It received mixed reviews from critics and ranked 24th overall on the list of highest-grossing Nigerian films of all time at the end of its theatrical run.[6] It is regarded as one of the best Nigerian films of 2020.[7]

Synopsis

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Ahanna (Stan Nze), an unemployed graduate, is frustrated with his current situation, and travels to Lagos in search of his mother Nancy (Chiyere Wilfred) who left their village with his siblings and his uncle Odinaka (Chiwetalu Agu) after his father Louis's (Sunny McDon) funeral. Upon arriving in Lagos Ahanna is robbed, but after collaborating with a book trader for some cash he locates his mother's Lekki residence. Ahanna is disgusted to discover that Nancy, now living in luxury, is now married to his uncle, and his siblings currently reside in with a relative in America. He storms out of the house and pays a visit to his old friends, Nze and his sister Amara (Osas Ighodaro). Nze confides in Ahanna about his colossal debt to drug kingpin Ali Mahmood (Norbert Young) who has threatened to kill him in two days unless the money is repaid. Ahanna suggests they rob Odinaka, and he and Nze both break into the property at night. Ahanna's mother recognises her masked son when an envelope bearing his name drops to the floor, and he demands to know how Odinaka had killed Louis whose death he had always considered suspicious. Odinaka then drops a bombshell - not only were he and Nancy having a secret affair when Ahanna's father was still alive, but he was the biological father of Ahanna's brother Naza.

Ahanna and Nze assemble a group of men called "The Armadas" with several different skills, carrying out a series of spectacular heists. But things take a swift u-turn and the gang suddenly find themselves with better enemies on both sides.[8]

Cast

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Production

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The film project was the second directorial venture for director Ramsey Nouah after Living in Bondage: Breaking Free (2019).[9] This also marked the second collaboration between director Ramsey Nouah and producer Charles Okpaleke after 2019 Nigerian drama film Living in Bondage: Breaking Free. The film was made following the box office success of Living in Bondage: Breaking Free and the film was announced as modern day remake of 1995 classic film Rattlesnake.[10] The announcement regarding the film remake was revealed by the producer in March 2020.[11] It was initially speculated to be the sequel of Rattlesnake but the film producer refused the speculations stating that it is the remake of the yesteryear film in modern day.[12]

Sonny McDon was the only cast member of the 1995 film who was retained to play the supporting role in the remake.[13] Stan Nze was played the titular role as Ahanna, the lead character which was initially played by Francis Duru in Rattlesnake.[14][15] Second runner-up of the Big Brother Naija Lockdown Nengi Rebecca Hampson also played a supporting role in the film and was her film acting debut.[16]

The first look poster of the film was unveiled by the Play Network Studios on 1 September 2020 via Instagram.[17] Most of the portions of the film were predominantly shot in Lagos, Abuja and Cape Town, South Africa. The film was shot within a duration of just four weeks amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.[13][5]

Soundtrack

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The music for the film is scored by Larry Gaaga.[18] A total of eight tracks were composed for the album featuring A-list Afrobeats artistes. The soundtrack album opened to extremely positive reception.[19]

Main article: Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story (soundtrack)

Release and box office

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The film was premiered at the FilmHouse Cinemas in Lagos on 11 November 2020 prior to the theatrical release.[20] It was theatrically released on 13 November 2020 coinciding with the nationwide End SARS protests in Nigeria against the SARS police band.[5] The film made over ₦13 million (₦13,567,700) in the opening week since its theatrical release.[21] The final cumulative stood at ₦70,381,550 at the box office.[1]

In a review by Culture Custodian, Franklin Ugobude said "The curse of every remake is the inevitable comparison to the original and whether it stacks up to it or not, and The Ahanna Story simply cannot lace the boots of Amaka Igwe's Rattlesnake."[22] Another reviewer rated the movie 6.2/10 saying "Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story is entertaining and exhausting all at once... but at the same time, it leaves you tingling with pride at the fact that filmmaking in Nollywood has grown in leaps."[23]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Recipient Result Ref
2021 Africa Movie Academy Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role Gloria Anozie-Young Nominated [24]
Best Nigerian Film Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story Nominated
Best of Nollywood Awards Best Actor in a Leading role Stan Nze Won [25][26]
Best Actress in a Lead role Osas Ighodaro Nominated
Best Actor in a Supporting role Buchi Franklin Won
Best Editing Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story Won
Best Cinematography Won
Movie with the Best Sound Nominated
Movie with the Best Screenplay Nominated
Movie with the Best Editing Nominated
Movie with the Best Cinematography Nominated
Best Use of Costume in a Movie Nominated
Movie of the Year Nominated
Director of the Year Ramsey Nouah Nominated
Best Kiss in a Movie Stan Nze/Osas Ighodaro Nominated
Movie with the Best Soundtrack Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story Nominated
2022 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards Best Supporting Actor Bucci Franklin Nominated [27][28][29]
Best Actress in A Drama Osas Ighodaro Won
Best Actor in A Drama Stan Nze Won
Best Art Director Pat Nebo Nominated
Best Lighting Designer Mathew Yusuf Won
Best Sound Track Larry Gaagaa Nominated
Best Make Up Carina Ojoko Nominated
Best Cinematographer Muhammed Atta Ahmed Won
Best Movie West Africa Chris Odeh Nominated
Best Overall Movie Ramsey Nouah and Chris Odeh Nominated
Best Director Ramsey Nouah Won

References

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  1. ^ a b "Top 20 Films Report 1st 3rd January 2020".
  2. ^ "'Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story' trailer is finally here!". Pulse Nigeria. 3 November 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  3. ^ "Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde to star in upcoming 'Rattle Snake: The Ahanna Story'". Pulse Nigeria. 16 September 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  4. ^ "Osas Ighodaro, Efa Iwara, Stan Nze to star in 'Rattle Snake' remake directed by Ramsey Nouah". Pulse Nigeria. 2 September 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  5. ^ a b c "'Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story' to premiere in cinemas November 13". Pulse Nigeria. 25 September 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  6. ^ "'Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story' does everything but rattle [Pulse movie review]". Pulse Nigeria. 16 November 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  7. ^ "These Are The Best Nigerian Films of 2020". OkayAfrica. 18 December 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  8. ^ "'A Remake for a New Generation': Rattlesnake, The Ahanna Story Premieres in Cinemas". Arise News. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  9. ^ nollywoodreinvented (16 September 2020). "COMING SOON: RattleSnake - The Ahanna Story". Nollywood Reinvented. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  10. ^ "Play Network, Ramsey Nouah remake Nollywood classic Rattlesnake: The Ahanna story". Vanguard News. 7 October 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  11. ^ "Charles Okpaleke & Filmone sign production & distribution deal for 'Rattle Snake' remake". Pulse Nigeria. 19 March 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  12. ^ "How Charles Okpaleke picks classic Nollywood films to remake". Pulse Nigeria. 26 September 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  13. ^ a b "Veteran actor, Sonny McDon, buzzed to reprise role in Rattlesnake remake". Pulse Nigeria. 26 September 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  14. ^ "Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story star, Stan Eze, says remake 'way bigger' than original". Pulse Nigeria. 26 September 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  15. ^ BellaNaija.com (21 September 2020). "Stan Nze is the Star of "Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story," Find Out All There Is to Know About Him in this Exclusive Interview". BellaNaija. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  16. ^ "BBNaija Nengi joins 'Rattlesnake' cast & crew in SA". Pulse Nigeria. 10 October 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  17. ^ "Here's a first look at 'Rattle Snake The Ahanna Story'". Pulse Nigeria. 1 September 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  18. ^ "Larry Gaaga begins production of 'RattleSnake' soundtrack". 8 April 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  19. ^ "With his 'Rattle Snake: The Ahanna Story' soundtrack album, Larry Gaaga hits the bulls eye yet again [Pulse Album Review]". Pulse Nigeria. 4 December 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  20. ^ "The Rattlesnake movie premiere draws out the fiercest of us all". Pulse Nigeria. 19 November 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  21. ^ "'Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story' earns over N13 million in opening week". Pulse Nigeria. 18 November 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  22. ^ Ugobude, Franklin (30 November 2020). "Review: Rattlesnake Shines, But Not Bright Enough". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014). Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  23. ^ Nwajiaku, Vivian Nneka. "Movie Review: Rattlesnake - The Ahanna Story". Afrokritik. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  24. ^ Banjo, Noah (29 October 2021). "FULL LIST: Ayinla, Omo Ghetto: The Saga bag multiple nominations at AMAA 2021". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  25. ^ Ojo, James (12 September 2021). "FULL LIST: 'The Milkmaid', 'Rattle Snake' remake lead nominations for 2021 BON awards". TheCable Lifestyle. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  26. ^ "BON Awards 2021: 'Rattlesnake', 'The Milkmaid' win big". 14 December 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  27. ^ "2022 Africa Magic Awards Nominees don land- See who dey list". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  28. ^ "Stan Nze, Osas Ighodaro win big - Full list of all di winners from 2022 AMVCA". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  29. ^ "Ramsey Noah wins Best director award at 8th edition of AMVCA". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 15 May 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
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