Nigerian music superstar Burna Boy has made a powerful entry into the film industry with his executive produced thriller 3 Cold Dishes earning an impressive ₦24.6 million during its opening weekend. The film, produced through his Spaceship Films banner, immediately demonstrated its box office appeal and audience engagement.
Pan-African Storyline and Powerful Themes
The movie presents a gripping narrative that spans across Nigeria, Benin, and Côte d'Ivoire, focusing on three women - Esosa, Fatouma, and Giselle - who reunite two decades after surviving human trafficking to exact revenge on their exploiters. This high-stakes thriller combines tense storytelling with the growing appeal of pan-African cinema.
Directed by Nigerian filmmaker Asurf Oluseyi, known for his work on Hakkunde and Burna Boy's music videos, the film employs a unique structure divided into three chapters. The story is narrated by Mama Janice, portrayed by Amelie Mbaye, and a journalist played by Femi Jacobs, providing compelling insight into the women's past and present experiences.
Compelling Performances and Character Development
The film traces the journey of its three main characters from challenging teenage years to adulthood. Esosa is taken from home by her uncle, Fatouma is lured with promises of a football career in Paris, while Giselle navigates the complexities of a troubled family and spirituality. Each storyline powerfully explores themes of resilience, ambition, and the pursuit of justice.
Ruby Akubueze delivers an intense and emotional performance as young Esosa, capturing both fear and determination with remarkable depth. The adult versions of the characters are brought to life by Osas Ighodaro, Fat Toure, and Maud Guerard, who skillfully portray the women's complex journeys. Among the male cast, Wale Ojo commands attention as Uncle Bankole, adding significant strength and presence to the narrative.
Technical Excellence and Production Value
3 Cold Dishes showcases exceptional production quality with its $1 million budget, representing high value by African film standards. The movie is shot in CinemaScope, a rarity for African productions, and is presented in both English and French with subtitles, plus a complete French dub version.
The film's visual landscape varies dramatically from Lagos' urban grit to Côte d'Ivoire's coastal vistas and Benin's desert expanses. Carefully lit sequences, particularly during the brutal early days of the characters' experiences, create some of the film's most striking visual moments.
The soundtrack features two Burna Boy tracks that effectively elevate the tension and tone, seamlessly tying the music to the narrative while subtly reminding viewers of the executive producer's influence on the project.
Cultural Relevance and Critical Reception
At its core, 3 Cold Dishes examines the complex web of trauma, freedom, and revenge. The film raises uncomfortable questions about the cost of survival and the lasting effects of exploitation, as the women find their new freedom comes with its own price - serving criminal interests by moving drugs and maintaining operations.
The movie has successfully premiered at London's Cineworld on October 3rd, ahead of its UK release on November 7th. It also opened the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in Lagos on November 2nd, followed by a theatrical rollout across 26 African countries, with additional screenings planned in France, the United States, and Canada.
The impressive opening weekend gross of ₦24.6 million highlights the growing appetite for African cinema that combines strong storytelling with high production quality. Audiences are clearly responding to the film's pan-African narrative, ambitious settings, and the cultural resonance of its themes about female resilience and justice.
