Private Project

L'AXE LOURD [ The Highway ]

Discovered in the Longido Mountain of Tanzania is the largest ruby stone known to mankind. Believed to possess mystical powers, it was lost during the 18th Century.

Many years later the mystical ruby stone resurfaces within the Republic of Njuana. Notorious hitman Elijah is given the chance to exonerate himself and his sister by retrieving the mystical ruby stone and returning it to the Tanzanian government.

Best friend to Elijah, Bryan back in Njuana have a job to steal the same stone, which he wants Elijah to lead the crew when he gets the call from Elijah telling him about his release and return to Njuana, to get the stone for a wealthy Nigerian businessman who is willing to pay 50 million US dollars.

But before Elijah and his crew can even get their hands on the stone, they first have to retrieve the stone from the so devoted state police officer Nwana Payne who is willing to give up his life to secure the package.

Unknowing to him, his wife and daughter are caught in the traffic created by Elijah and his crew. Not knowing the exact job description of her husband officer Nwana Payne which always keeps him away from them, she finally gets to understand why when she sees him in the crossfire as her and her daughter run for safety into the bush.

Proving to be a hard nut to crack, Officer Nwana Payne succeeds to hold off Elijah and his crew till backup arrives. Caught in the situation, Elijah has to choose between money, friends or family.

  • Stephen Nkengafec Nchonganyi
    Director
  • Eilijah Ekoko Duala Duala
    Writer
  • Bidbilla Peter Nwanyama Njimbongtu
    Writer
  • Nicodeme Eddy Toukam
    Producer
  • Elijah Duala Duala Ekoko
    Producer
  • Njwe Elvis Achiri
    Producer
  • Stephen Nkengafec Nchonganti
    Producer
  • Elijah Duala Duala Ekoko
    Key Cast
    "Elijah"
  • Anurin Nwunembom
    Key Cast
    "Bryan"
  • Elvis Achiri
    Key Cast
    "Payne"
  • Nabil Fongod
    Key Cast
    "Jeff"
  • Frida Ewongo
    Key Cast
    "Kusona Sonita "
  • Jenifer Ewube
    Key Cast
    "Narnia Ruth"
  • Fonteh Mbi Collins
    Key Cast
    "Wajiji"
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Experimental, Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 44 minutes 21 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 15, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    239,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Cameroon
  • Country of Filming:
    Cameroon
  • Language:
    English, French
  • Shooting Format:
    RED HELIUM 8K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Cameroon International Film Festival
    Buea
    Cameroon
    April 24, 2023
    Opening Film
    Award
  • Canal Olympia
    Douala
    Cameroon
    January 20, 2023
    World Premiere
  • Institut Francais
    Yaounde
    Cameroon
    February 15, 2023
    Premiere
  • Mountain Hotel
    Buea
    Cameroon
    February 4, 2023
    Premiere
  • White House Cinema - Premiere
    Brussels
    Belgium
    May 6, 2023
    premiere
  • Publicis Cinema - Paris
    Paris
    France
    May 4, 2023
    Premiere
Distribution Information
  • TRACE STUDIOS
    Distributor
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights, Internet, Video on Demand, Pay Per View, Hotel, Airline, Ship, Video / Disc, Paid TV
Director Biography - Stephen Nkengafec Nchonganyi

Stephen Nkengafec Nchonganyi A.K.A Dr. Nkeng Stephens is co-founder/C.E.O of Cameroon Phase of Entertainment Limited (CPE Ltd). He is a self-taught filmmaker popularly known for impeccable music video directing, cinematography and post production skills. He is also a talented music artist and producer. From 2014 till date, Dr. Nkeng Stephens has led CPE Ltd to shoot and produce over 1000 music videos for music artists all around Africa. He has also shot commercial films for MTN Cameroon, BioPharma to name a few. As a filmmaker Dr. Nkeng Stephens has 4 short films under his belt. Nas the Fool, Amigo, 21st Age Oblivion and Caesar.
He spearheads the #HoldHandsMovement which connects creatives all around Cameroon for a better post production workflow. He has received numerous prestigious awards including the Canal D’or Award, Urban Jamz Award and the Green Light Award to list a few. He is a regular on the nomination list of the AFRIMMA Awards. The HighWay (L’AXE LOURD) is his first feature film.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I like action movies. There's nothing more exciting than a good action movie. I needed to step up and bring it back to the Cameroonian African context and we also want to honor our defense forces for their bravery. But above all we want to have fun doing what we love to do: "Let's tell the African story the African way"