Hakeem Kae-Kazim Movies
A musician from the Democratic Republic of Congo finds his peaceful existence in Ireland suddenly shattered when he made an irresistible offer by one of the nation's most notorious criminals. When Joe Juma's application for asylum was accepted, he thought he was leaving all of his troubles back in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Content with his job as a bank security guard, Joe was comfortable just coasting through life without a care. But these are the moments that life often chooses to throw us an unexpected curve-ball, and when Joe is approached with a dangerous but potentially lucrative offer, he is forced to make a decision that will effect the rest of his life. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eriq Ebouaney, James Frain, (more)
This four-hour cable miniseries adaptation of H. Rider Haggard's classic adventure novel King Solomon's Mines dispenses with much of the original story in favor of a standard Indiana Jones-esque melodrama, complete with claim-jumping villains, snarling Russian soldiers, an ancient and deadly curse, and a damsel perpetually in distress. As played by Patrick Swayze, Haggard's hero, celebrated British safari hunter Allan Quartermain, is a born-again conservationist who returns to his former trade only to raise enough money to retain custody of his beloved son. Quatermaine accepts the assignment given him by toothsome Elizabeth Maitland (Alison Doody), to head into darkest Africa in order to rescue Elizabeth's father (John Standing), who had disappeared while searching for the fabled lost gold mines of King Solomon. This time around, the mines harbor another elusive treasure: the mysterious Stone of Power, which functions in much the same manner as the Ark of the Covenant the Indiana Jones pictures. Along for the ride are Quatermain's trusted friend Sir Henry (Ian Roberts), and loyal African guide Umbopa (Sideda Onylulo), who has traditionally been the story's most likeable and admirable character in all previous film and TV adaptations of the novel. The main villain, largely spun from whole cloth for the purposes of the miniseries, is Quatermain's greedy ex-partner Gavin Hood (Bruce McNabb). Debuting June 6, 2004, the two-part King Solomon's Mines posted some of the Hallmark channel's best-ever ratings. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Swayze, Alison Doody, (more)
- 2003
Akin Omotoso's drama God Is African concerns a Nigerian student in South Africa who wishes to broadcast his objection to the impending execution of dissident author Ken Saro Wiwa. He meets resistance from those in charge of the campus radio station, but other Nigerian students attempt to help him establish a pirate radio signal. This film was screened at the 2003 Pan African Festival. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Sami Sabiti, (more)
A character drama from South Africa set in the apartheid era, After the Rain focuses on Steph (Paul Bettany), an Afrikaner soldier with more than his share of emotional problems. His girlfriend (Louise Lombard) is close friends with Joseph (Ariyon Bakare), and when Steph returns home one day to find the two in bed together, he immediately thinks the worst (even though their relationship is entirely platonic). Steph ties the two up, and forces them to listen to his hateful invective for the rest of the evening. After the Rain was written and directed by Ross Kettle, whose screenplay was adapted from his own play, Soweto's Burning. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Bettany, Louise Lombard, (more)
- 1999
Peter Schwabach directs this cross-cultural romantic comedy-drama. Comic book writer Matthew Field (Colin Firth) has an affair with Nimi Da Silva (Nia Long), a Nigerian exile who's looking for a husband. Her mother thinks that a better match would be the local community's black preacher (Ariyon Bakare). This film was screened in the 1999 London Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Colin Firth, Nia Long, (more)
