NR Reacts to Al Jazeera’s “Nollywood” Documentary

Al Jazeera recently released a documentary film by Abba Makamma about Nollywood. This documentary was also released online on the 29th of July, 2015. The following is our response:

It is a regular aspect of my life to hear someone say or to read a comment that says and I paraphrase “nollywood and these their yeye movies”.

[pullquote_left]”If you deride us for making a film in just one week; look at the flip side, we have learned how to make a film in just one week”[/pullquote_left]

A while back, I was part of a conversation on twitter where we spoke about how individuals actually think that they are increasing their bride price by saying that they don’t watch nollywood. Apparently it is in fact the cool thing to do.

Then as a reviewer, you also go back and watch some movies and for a second you do not blame the naysayers because the experience of watching some movies in itself is simply torture. In these moments, it is not difficult to forget why we do the things we do.

It is for that reason that I will say that this documentary is a blessing especially for those who work in the industry in any type of way. This ranges from critics to DOPs, to actors and costume designers, to producers and promoters, and everyone in between who feels underappreciated (financially or otherwise) but continue to do it for the love of OUR cinema (not just of the art).

THIS DOCUMENTARY GIVES US BACK A SENSE OF PRIDE!

As the video goes on, you remember (I won’t say “realize” because this is something we all technically know) that nollywood is in fact barely 21 years old. If anyone is reading this and you know a 21 year old who has gone through these many phases in their lives so rapidly, please let us know.

[pullquote_left]”Nollywood made something out of nothing” – Femi Odugbemi[/pullquote_left]

How many 21 year olds do you know that have spent their lives being compared to people who are literally 100 years old and beyond and yet continues to progress on its own despite the criticism? A 21 year old that is self-funded, self-originated, self-thought, self-motivated and entirely dependent on resources from self?

The documentary goes beyond giving us a sense of pride, it also inspires HOPE. Hope for what nollywood will do in the future. Not just in film but for the country.

[pullquote_right]”80% of nollywood filmmakers are under the age of 30″ [/pullquote_right]

Like I’ve mentioned before, I also watch television and film asides from those made in Nigeria, America, Ghana or the UK. And when I watch these things, I develop a fascination for the culture and a strong desire to visit these countries and to become one of them.

I borrow their lingua and unconsciously start using these terms in my conversations. My fascination is to the point that I start engaging with their media content, pop culture and other idiosyncrasies.

The idea that, because of nollywood, in some part of the world someone else is doing the same for Nigeria is, to me, astounding.

The idea that people many different “someone elses” in many other corners or centers of the earth are now aware of our truths, our culture, our struggles, our beliefs, our upliftments and our personas because of this industry is mind blowing.

[pullquote_left]”Right now, the passion in the industry… is more than what they have in Hollywood” – Stanlee Ohikhuare [/pullquote_left]

It is especially mind blowing when you consider that nollywood is changing the narrative for people who otherwise had no access to our truths. For people who truly believed that we all live like monkeys jumping from tree to tree. For people who ask all of us in the diaspora why we can speak English. For people who have no arguments with CNN’s mention of Obama’s visit to Kenya as a visit to Africa. For grown educated individuals who still don’t know that Africa is not a country.

The documentary is 47 minutes long but the effect it leaves on your mind will last a long time.