Potent Secrets: The Movie

Snapshot: Potent Secrets

Starring: Godfrey Tangwa as Philip Nso and Joyce Abunaw as Matilda Ako

Directed by: Ako Abunaw

Screenplay by: Joyce Abunaw

Music by: Bebe Manga

Genre: Drama

Run time: 140 minutes

New Release Date: December 14, 2004

Synopsis: A potent secret destroys Philip's first marriage. Another potent secret is threatening Philip's second marriage to Matilda. But Philip's greatest challenge will be facing himself. Will he have the courage to do so?

Potent Secrets: Reviews by Critics

It's a brave attempt to discuss an issue that's often left in the closet in Africa--the idea that women are always the cause of infertility. And the needless familial pressures that often break up marriages. So, it's very, very good in that respect. Congrats on a promising debut!

Okey Ndibe
Author, Arrows of Rain (Heinemann, AWS)

Potent Secrets: The Cast

Actors: Syvie Mbuta (House Help),Boma Mercy (Philip's Sister, Elfrida) and Helen Tabe (Philip's Mother, Ma Nso)

Bebe Manga: Potent Secret's Golden Voice

Bebe Manga, performing at the Potent Secrets premiere

Bebe Manga, one of Cameroon's most popular and beloved musicians, excitedly joined the production of Potent Secrets not only by performing at the launching ceremony at Hilton-Yaounde, but also by offering her fourth album Temps futurs as a resource album for the film.

Potent Secrets Grande Premiere: Yaounde, Sept. 14, 2001

Yaounde-Hilton: Site of the Grande Premiere

On Friday September 14, 2001, Potent Secrets made its world debut during a lavish Grande Premiere at the Yaounde Hilton Hotel in Cameroon. Invitees included the crème de la crème of Cameroon's capital city, among them, leading political figures and top government officials; members of the diplomatic corps and international organizations; prominent artists and journalists; and the movers and shakers of Cameroon's literary scene.

Potent Secrets: Technical Crew

Some members of the Technical Crew: Ndo Foumane (Camera),Bessem Ashuntantang (Caterer) Marthe Njiki (Make-Up Artist), Njoya Lindou (Production Assist.) and Jules Wounkep (Lighting).

Potent Secrets: Viewer Reviews

Simply amazing!
           Helen and Joe Mbu, MD

As an American male, I watched Potent secrets with interest. The issues that affect the lives of the characters are tragic but there is hope because learning takes place.
           Dale Smith, California.

“Potent secrets” is technically superior. It is so clear, not like the other African films I’ve watched.
         Makuba Masango, MD

Cameroon's sleepy cinema industry

The Abunaws are the best thing that ever happened to Cameroon's film industry

By the BBC's Francis Ngwa Niba in Yaounde (BBC World Service, Tuesday, 5 March, 2002, 15:40 GMT)

A husband-and-wife team of Cameroonian filmmakers is taking on the challenge of reviving the country's sleepy cinema industry. Ako and Joyce Abunaw, who are now working on their third film together, are determined to get Cameroonians watching local productions. But the problem, says Ako Abunaw, is that the home market has been flooded with Nigerian films, which are particularly popular in Cameroon 's English-speaking areas.