Naturally, Elvis Chuks’ Johnny Just Come is one of those star-loaded Nollywood films you just want to give an eye-roll to. But the pan-African comedy features renowned singer-songwriter Yvonne Chaka Chaka and so it has our attention. As one of the most recognised and celebrated icons in South Africa, Yvonne Chaka Chaka can afford to pick and choose her projects. So when she was approached in L.A. with the chance to be in a new film directed by Elvis Chuks, she jumped at the chance.
Yvonne has used her influence and voice for decades as an advocate for the continent, and she wanted to use her debut Nollywood as a vehicle to teach Africans that it was important to laugh. “I was approached by the film’s producers when I was in L.A for the BET Awards. I asked them to send me a script so that I can see if it resonated with me. I accepted the opportunity because with so much negativity in Africa – murder, war, famine and death – it is important that we learn how to laugh,” Yvonne told TshisaLive in an interview in February.
Yvonne stars alongside South Africa’s Vusi Kunene, Joey Rasdien, Cedric Fourie, Thuso Mbedu, Thando Thabethe, and Nollywood actress Patience Ozokwor. Johnny Just Come follows an American man, who, in his search of love, ends up marrying an African woman. The resultant drama explores his naïveté to love, marriage, culture and religion. Ultimately, he discovers marriage to be a learning process where each day brings a different lesson to learn.
Shot in South Africa and Lagos, director Elvis Chuks was the winner for the Best South African Film All About Love at the 2017 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards. He’s also known for other works like Playing Safe, Caught in the Act, and Hustlers. Produced by Diamond Groove Pictures, Johnny Just Come will premiere in cinemas May 25th. Watch the trailer below.
When Bernard Dayo isn’t writing about pop culture, he’s watching horror movies and reading comics and trying to pretend his addiction to Netflix isn’t a serious condition.
Leave a reply