What happens when the glitz of Afrobeats collides with the gritty reality of survival, betrayal, and revenge? Burna Boy’s explosive new film, 3 Cold Dishes, didn’t just stir waters—it reportedly raked in an impressive ₦24.6 million during its opening weekend. But behind these numbers lies a story much hotter than Lagos traffic and colder than harmattan dawn. This isn’t just a movie; it’s an unprecedented leap for African cinema, weaving suspense, social truth, and cross-border drama in a way that feels close to home.
Executive-produced by Burna Boy through his Spaceship Films, 3 Cold Dishes introduces viewers to Esosa, Fatouma, and Giselle—three women who shook off the shackles of human trafficking, only to come face-to-face with their past tormentors. Twenty years after escaping their traffickers’ claws, they reunite, determined to reclaim the power stolen from them, and ready to serve revenge icy cold. Set across the three vibrant nations of Nigeria, Benin, and Côte d’Ivoire, the film doesn’t just tell a story; it echoes the painful realities thousands quietly endure.
The Story Behind 3 Cold Dishes
Directed by award-winning filmmaker Asurf Oluseyi—popular for Hakkunde and several of Burna Boy’s music videos—3 Cold Dishes masterfully uses a three-chapter format, each chapter unwrapping a part of the women’s journey. Narration by Mama Janice (Amelie Mbaye) and a probing journalist (Femi Jacobs) allows the story to move between past and present, building tension with every reveal. It’s like unpeeling an onion, with each layer more intense than the last.
From the edge of adolescence to the brink of adulthood, the women’s paths are as diverse as Africa itself. Esosa, who was heartlessly taken by a relative; Fatouma, lured with the shimmering promise of a football career in distant Paris; and Giselle, battling spiritual depth and a chaotic family—all three represent resilience and a desire to chart their life’s course. These stories mirror what many young Africans face when hope and fear dance on the same stage.
The performances grip you right from the start. Ruby Akubueze channels Esosa’s raw emotions—her face capturing every flicker of fear and flash of courage. As we watch Osas Ighodaro, Fat Toure, and Maud Guerard embody the adult versions, their strength and scars become both relatable and unforgettable. Wale Ojo, cast as Uncle Bankole, doesn’t just play a villain—he becomes the kind of uncle everyone knows but secretly dreads.
Cinematic Style and Ambition: African Storytelling Redefined
If you think Nollywood flicks all look the same, 3 Cold Dishes will shock you. Imagine sweeping CinemaScope visuals—almost unheard of in West African film—capturing everything from the yellow danfos and restless energy of Lagos to the tranquil coastlines of Côte d’Ivoire and the vast, sun-baked stretches of Benin. According to Variety, the film’s $1 million budget ranks among the highest in regional studios, fueling a production style rarely seen at home.
The director, Asurf Oluseyi, doesn’t shy away from creative risks. He moves us from furious action scenes—think car chases worthy of Hollywood—to slow, heart-pounding moments of reflection. There’s a scene in a derelict airplane, another across an endless desert, each one amplifying the film’s ambition. English, French, and local dialects come together with subtitles, opening the door to audiences across Francophone and Anglophone Africa.
And as the story unfolds, two Burna Boy tracks drape the film in the kind of raw Afrofusion energy that reminds you: this is more than cinema; it’s a cultural event. His influence is subtle yet unmistakable—much like how Afrobeats now rules both local airwaves and global playlists.
Tackling Human Trafficking and Female Resilience in Africa
At the very heart of 3 Cold Dishes is a painful, boldly explored theme: the lasting trauma of human trafficking. While Esosa, Fatouma, and Giselle have broken free from their original captors, liberation comes at its own cost. They now operate in criminal underbellies, forced to run drugs and protect illegal syndicates just to survive. This cycle of exploitation—where freedom is tinged with compromise—sparks important questions: Is true freedom ever within reach for survivors? Can justice ever fully erase the wounds?
Unlike many thrillers that shy away from reality, this film throws light on the uncomfortable, often-ignored stories of women across Africa. It challenges audiences to see female resilience not as a trope, but as an everyday act of defiance. Lagos-based human rights advocate Tunde Akinleye commented, “By giving a human face to these statistics, African cinema is finally confronting realities that many would rather sweep under the carpet.” This isn’t just entertainment; it’s a call to rethink and amplify Africa’s fight against trafficking.
Premiere, Reception, and the Pan-African Wave
When 3 Cold Dishes premiered on 3 October inside London’s Cineworld, industry watchers took notice—not just for the red-carpet glamour, but for what it represented: African stories crossing borders. The film’s subsequent screening at the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in Lagos, followed by showings in 26 other African countries, France, the United States, and Canada, points to a shift. According to AFRIFF organizers, this expanding footprint is a nod to the continent’s “unlimited, untapped narrative potential.”
Local moviegoers have embraced the pan-African casts, big-budget visuals, and weighty themes. That opening weekend gross of ₦24.6 million is no small beans—it signals a hunger for stories that mirror Nigeria’s own complexity and ambition. Yet, as some critics have highlighted, the pressure is now on for African filmmakers to match visual spectacle with authentic storytelling, ensuring substance isn’t lost in the race for global attention.
What Sets 3 Cold Dishes Apart? An African Story for the World
In a country where many still gather around generators for a Friday night film, this movie is a bold foray into stories that carry both local accents and global relevance. By blending heart-stopping drama, sociopolitical critique, and visual artistry, 3 Cold Dishes throws its hat into the ring—not just for the fun of it, but to stake Africa’s claim in worldwide cinema. Its message is clear: African trauma, triumph, and resilience can power blockbusters every bit as gripping as those from anywhere else.
- Local resonance: Explores issues familiar to West African families while reflecting pan-African realities.
- Production value: Employs top-notch technology and high-profile actors, sending a signal to the global film community.
- Societal impact: Encourages more honest, empathetic portrayals of victims and survivors in media.
As Nollywood, Afrobeats, and African fashion sweep the world, could films like this be the next cultural export shaking tables in global entertainment? How will home-grown filmmakers balance glitzy production with the authentic soul of African storytelling? As one Ibadan movie fan put it, “Omo, the story carry weight—it’s not the kind of film you forget quickly.”
A New Dawn for African Cinema?
As 3 Cold Dishes gathers momentum at the box office and in the hearts of viewers, one thing is clear: Nigerian and African cinema has entered a new season. Stories like Esosa’s, Fatouma’s, and Giselle’s remind us that the continent’s wounds are deep, but so is its capacity for healing, justice, and hope. No matter your walk of life, the film forces all of us to look again—at ourselves, our communities, and the power of storytelling to drive change.
Would you queue to experience 3 Cold Dishes in Nigerian cinemas, or stream it with friends at home? What other real-life stories do you want our filmmakers to share? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let the conversation begin.
Got a story bubbling in your mind or burning on your chest? We want to help you share it—or even sell it! Email us at story@nowahalazone.com and get your story in front of readers across Africa and beyond.
Want your opinion to count in the next big Nollywood or Afrobeats debate? Join our community! Follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram for updates, giveaways, and exclusive gist.
For support or partnership inquiries, reach us at support@nowahalazone.com.
