Hotel Labamba
{{Short description|2023 Nigeria drama film}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Hotel Labamba.jpg
| writer = Frances Okeke
| director = Biodun Stephen
| starring = {{Plainlist|
- Femi Adebayo
- Lateef Adedimeji
- Pamilerin Adegoke
- Yhemolee
- Laide Daramola
- Lilian Afegbai
}}
| country = Nigeria
| language = English
Yoruba
| producer = Biodun Stephen
| editing = Adio Solanke
Biyi Toluwalase
| runtime = 96 minutes
| studio = Lady Laide Films
| distributor = Amazon Prime Video
| released = {{Film date|2023|07|28|df=y}}
}}
Hotel Labamba is a 2023 Nigerian drama Crime comedy film directed by Biodun Stephen and written by Frances Okeke. It features an ensemble cast including Femi Adebayo, Lateef Adedimeji, Pamilerin Adegoke, Bimbo Ademoye, Idowu Adeyemi (Yhemolee), Lilian Afegbai and Laide Daramola.{{Cite web |last=Tv |first=Bn |date=2023-04-26 |title=Lateef Adedimeji, Bimbo Ademoye & Lilian Afegbai lead a stellar cast in "Hotel Labamba" {{!}} Watch the Trailer |url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2023/04/hotel-labamba-watch-the-trailer/ |access-date=2024-09-21 |website=BellaNaija |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=How Slay Queens, Yahoo Boys Inspired 'Hotel Labamba' – THISDAYLIVE |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2023/04/30/how-slay-queens-yahoo-boys-inspired-hotel-labamba/ |access-date=2024-09-21 |website=www.thisdaylive.com}}
Plot
In the exclusive and secretive world of Hotel Labamba, the hotel's manager is given an urgent task by the owner, Chief, to prepare the establishment for the arrival of important dignitaries. However, chaos ensues when one of the dignitaries is found dead under mysterious circumstances. With the entire hotel staff and guests becoming suspects, the race is on to uncover the killer before Chief's esteemed guests arrive, threatening the hotel’s reputation and the safety of everyone involved.
Cast
- Femi Adebayo as SIU Head Detective
- Abdularhamon Adedimeji as Bar Extras{{Cite web |title=Adedimeji, Ademoye, Afegbai lead Stellar cast in Hotel Labamba |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2023/05/06/adedimeji-ademoye-afegbai-lead-stellar-cast-in-hotel-labamba/ |access-date=2024-09-21 |website=thisdaylive}}
- Lateef Adedimeji as Big Berry
- Bimbo Ademoye as Detective Zizi
- Idowu Adeyemi (Yhemolee) as Scodi
- Lilian Afegbai as Ella
- Lillian Akpanta as Office Staff
- Karen Ajimobi as Efe
- Laide Daramola as Hotel Guest
- Pamilerin Adegoke as Bar Extras
- Bolaji Ogunmola
- Blessing Jessica Obasi
Reception
Hotel Labamba received positive reviews for its humor, performances, and portrayal of Nigerian society. Critics praised the film's ability to balance comedy with more serious themes, though some offered criticism of certain aspects.{{Cite web |title="Hotel Labamba" And All The Fun In Chaos |url=https://thenollywoodreporter.com/film/hotel-labamba-and-all-the-fun-in-chaos/ |access-date=2024-09-21 |website=Nollywood Reporter |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-03-07 |title="Hotel Labamba" Reviews: Murder Mystery Meets Comedy in A Passable Story |url=https://themoveee.com/hotel-labamba-review-murder-mystery-meets-comedy-in-a-passable-story/ |access-date=2024-09-21 |language=en-US}} On Nollywire, the film has a rating of 5.4 out of 10, indicating "mixed or average reviews.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-12 |title=Hotel Labamba - Nollywire |url=https://nollywire.com/titles/hotel-labamba/ |access-date=2024-09-21 |language=en-GB}}
Stephen Onu of Premium Times gave Hotel Labamba a 5/10 rating, praising the mystery aspect of the film, as well as its editing and cinematography. He wrote, "On the better side, the comedy is simple yet effective, and the performances never feel forced. Detectives Zizi and Yaema, in particular, stand out and leave room for a possible sequel." However, Onu also criticized the film, stating that it "misses the opportunity to construct a more respectable puzzle, considering the quality of the actors involved."{{Cite web |last=Onu |first=Stephen |date=February 24, 2024 |title=MOVIE REVIEW: Biodun Stephen's murder mystery movie, 'Hotel Labamba' suffers many lapses |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/nollywood/671386-movie-review-biodun-stephens-murder-mystery-movie-hotel-labamba-suffers-many-lapses.html?tztc=1 |access-date=2024-09-21 |website=www.premiumtimesng.com}}
Victory Hayzard Solum of Afrocritik said: "Hotel Labamba lets you know right off the bat that it is not to be taken too seriously. With character names like Chuba Okadigbo, and Ozumba Mbadiwe, the suspicion that this movie might just be a commentary on the Nigerian elite is already a step in the wrong direction: the names mean absolutely nothing."{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-02-17 |title="Hotel Labamba" Review: Biodun Stephen's Comedy Thriller Offers Easy Laughs; Lighter On Substance - Afrocritik |url=https://www.afrocritik.com/hotel-labamba-review-biodun-stephen-comedy/ |access-date=2024-09-21 |language=en}}
Ayodele Olawumi of WhatKeptMeUp wrote that the film "Hotel Labamba is fairly funny as some of the actors seem to understand that they were taking on comic roles and put in enough to this effect, but you will be left disappointed if you had been intrigued by the prospect of a murder mystery."{{Cite web |date=2023-08-09 |title='Hotel Labamba' Review: Biodun Stephen Presents The Most Straightforward Murder Mystery Ever - What Kept Me Up |url=https://whatkeptmeup.com/movies/hotel-labamba-review-biodun-stephen-presents-the-most-straightforward-murder-mystery-ever/ |access-date=2024-09-21 |language=en-US}}
Release
The movie was officially released on Amazon Prime Video on July 28, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Udodiong |first=Inemesit |date=2023-06-29 |title=Biodun Stephen's 'Hotel Labamba' lands official release date |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/biodun-stephens-hotel-labamba-lands-official-release-date/gescmmx |access-date=2024-09-21 |website=Pulse Nigeria |language=en}}
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable"
!Year !Award !Category !Result !Ref |
| rowspan="3" |2023
| rowspan="3" |Global Film Festival |Best Feature Film |{{won}} |
| Best Director - Biodun Stephen
|{{won}} |
| Best Assemble Cast
|{{won}} |
| rowspan="1" |2023
|Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF) |Best Comedy Friction Film |{{won}} |
References
{{reflist}}