What Just Happened (2018 film)

What Just Happened is a 2018 Nigerian comedy film directed by Charles Uwagbai and starring Ufuoma McDermott, Afeez Oyetoro, Segun Arinze, Toyin Abraham, Mike Ezuruonye and comedians Mc Abbey and Funny Bone.[1][2] The film was written and produced by Ufuoma McDermott.[3] The film was predominantly shot in Lagos State and Los Angeles.

What Just Happened
Theatrical release poster
Directed byCharles Uwagbai
Written byUfuoma McDermott
Victor Mobuogwu
Produced byUfuoma McDermott
StarringUfuoma McDermott
Toyin Abraham
Mike Ezuruonye
Mc Abbey
Jude Orhorha
Stanley Funnybone Chibunna
Hafiz Oyetoro
Segun Arinze
Edited byJude Legemah
Raphael Aruma
Music byTimothy Tiodi Ogundele
Hybreed (Soundtrack)
Production
company
The USM Company
Release date
  • 14 September 2018 (2018-09-14)
Running time
96 minutes
CountryNigeria
LanguageEnglish

Plot edit

A disgruntled professor Oghogho (Ufuoma McDermott) decides to return home from the US and take up a visiting lecturer position at the University of Ibadan, Oyo state suggested by her brother Efe (Segun Arinze) after she decides that she's tired of the US and cannot "get" a man over there.

Reality check is hindered by her overtly superior attitude. Upset by the driver Baba Oti (Afeez Oyetoro) and his cough, she decides to make the drive herself from Lagos to Ibadan. The would be one hour journey turns into a day of total madness and commotion as she makes lives miserable.

She gets help from a good Samaritan, Dele Lawson (Mike Ezuruonye) who then joins her on the journey to Ibadan. They get robbed, arrested, lost in a village and finally helped by Leke (Jude Orhorha). They get into more trouble when Oghogho refuses to acknowledge and respect the tradition of Leke's village.

The entire film is a story within a story, as Professor Oghogho is recounting the entire encounter as a testimony in a church,[4] and due to time constraints, the attempt to speed up her testimony leads to more commotion.

Cast edit

Production and release edit

Sequel to the successful cinematic run of her debut movie production Christmas is Coming in 2017, Ufuoma McDermott's sophomore movie production was released in cinemas across Nigeria on 14 September 2018.[5] Principal photography had begun in June 2015 in Lagos and Los Angeles, while Ufuoma was pregnant.[6] After the birth of her child on August 8, 2015, production continued in 2016 and post production was concluded in mid 2018.

Critical reception edit

Vanguard singled out actress Ufuoma Mcdermott's debut comedic performance for praise, stating "...after seeing ‘What just happened’, my eyes were opened to something new about her; mostly to her dynamism not just as a person, but as an actress too", however noting that "...her role in the film could have been a comic flop without the presence of one of the most admired talents to ever grace the Nigerian film industry, Toyin Abraham."[7]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Ufuoma McDermott's next movie is a comedy starring Segun Arinze, Toyin Aimakhu, Mike Ezuruonye". The PulseNg. Lagos, Nigeria. 9 August 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  2. ^ "Ufuoma Mcdermott's new movie 'What Just Happened' hits cinemas". Vanguard Newspaper. Lagos, Nigeria. 15 September 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  3. ^ "Toyin Abraham, Funny Bone, Ufuoma Mcdermott take 'What Just Happened' to the cinemas". Sahara Weekly Newspaper. Lagos, Nigeria. 15 September 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  4. ^ "Ufuoma Mcdermott's movie, 'What Just Happened' for cinemas September 14". The Nation Newspaper. Lagos, Nigeria. 15 September 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  5. ^ "Ufuoma Mcdermott's What Just Happened hits Cinemas". Daily Tribune Newspaper. Lagos, Nigeria. 16 September 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  6. ^ "Ufuoma Mcdermott's What Just Happened is in Cinemas". Guardian Newspaper. Lagos, Nigeria. 16 September 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  7. ^ "Movie Review: What Just Happened". Vanguard Newspaper. Lagos, Nigeria. 29 September 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2018.