10 Things to Learn From Behind The Scenes by Funke Akindele

Funke Akindele’s cinematic success, Behind The Scenes, is not just a financial triumph that crossed the N200 million mark; it’s a powerful narrative that holds up a mirror to common societal challenges, particularly within African family structures. The film’s thematic richness and relatable characters offer profound life lessons, while its streaming performance confirms its status as a digital blockbuster.

The 10 Crucial Life Lessons from Behind The Scenes

The movie centers on Aderonke “Ronky, Fella” Faniran, whose life spirals due to her selfless, but ultimately unhealthy, financial commitment to her family. These are the top ten takeaways the film delivers:

1. Understanding “Black Tax”: The film provides a visceral definition of “black tax,” illustrating how the financial obligation placed on successful individuals to support extended family members often leads to the benefactor’s own financial and mental exhaustion.
2. The Danger of Poor Boundaries: Ronky’s downfall begins with her inability to say no. The film teaches that genuine love requires firm boundaries, otherwise generosity can quickly transition into exploitation.
3. The Importance of Self, Preservation: You cannot pour from an empty cup. The narrative strongly emphasizes that prioritizing one’s mental health and financial stability is not selfish; it is essential for long, term survival and giving.
4. Financial Literacy is Key: Ronky’s wealth, despite being substantial, could not save her from her financial obligations. The film indirectly stresses the need for smart investments and reserves, separate from the demands of family.
5. The Cost of Silence: Ronky suffers in silence, leading to emotional breakdown. The lesson is that open, honest communication with family members about financial capacity is vital to prevent assumptions and resentment.
6. Recognizing Exploitation: The film clearly differentiates between genuine familial support and outright exploitation, showing how entitled behavior can develop among beneficiaries when the boundaries are blurred.
7. The Pressure on the First Success: Behind The Scenes captures the unique societal pressure placed on the first successful child in a poor family, making them the default, sole provider for an entire lineage.
8. Choosing Your Battles: Not every family member’s need is an emergency. The film teaches discernment in financial assistance, focusing on empowering, not enabling.
9. Mental Health Consequences: The movie vividly portrays the mental and psychological toll that excessive financial responsibility and lack of personal space can exact on the provider.
10. Redemption Through Rebuilding: The film ultimately offers hope, showing that it is possible to reset boundaries, reclaim control, and rebuild one’s life after hitting rock bottom.

READ ALSO: Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Surpasses N200 Million in Box Office

Why Behind The Scenes is a Netflix Nigeria Blockbuster

Beyond its theatrical success, Behind The Scenes achieved massive streaming popularity, solidifying its status as a digital blockbuster on platforms like Netflix Nigeria, for several powerful reasons:

• Topical Resonance: The theme of “black tax” is deeply personal and widely experienced across Nigeria and the African diaspora. Its portrayal of familial pressure creates instant, widespread discussion, driving organic traffic to the platform.
• Funke Akindele’s Star Power: Funke Akindele has a proven, unmatched track record of audience draw. Her name is synonymous with high, quality, relatable entertainment, and her films often trend immediately upon release, guaranteeing a massive initial viewership burst.
• Accessibility and Repeat Viewership: While many viewers saw the film in cinemas, the accessibility of Netflix allows for repeat viewing and word, of, mouth sharing, particularly among those who may have been priced out of the cinema experience. The film’s emotional depth encourages viewers to revisit scenes.
• Social Media Momentum: The dramatic elements and strong character performances lend themselves perfectly to being shared, quoted, and debated across social media platforms, extending the film’s shelf life and continuously bringing new subscribers to watch the trending content.

The movie’s ability to combine commercial entertainment with profound social commentary ensured its domination of both the physical and digital box offices.