Shall we talk about Nigerian Movies? My perspective will never be to tear down anyone’s labor but amplify the Good and suggest means through which we can bridge the gap in meeting the demands of Movie goers globally. 🎬 #NGRBoxOffice
The world connects to stories. This is a constant fact and the way and means through which these stories are told to capture the attention of a distracted world matters a lot. Nigerians are special beings however. Investing the time cum N3,500 on a movie must count for something.
Besides, for men to be dragged to a movie by our weaknesses at N7,000 with the option of popcorn/shawarma & drinks as accompaniment to a disappointing flick won’t foster peace at home. Also no woman wants to find a half dead hubby at the middle of the movie. So how do we engage?
It’s good for a movie to be ambitious but there is nothing like one shoe fits all. The job of any movie regardless of the genre is to sell a simple plot with characters that are engaging and endearing enough for the viewers to buy into. The audience must feel their pulse & pain.
This is the whole point of leaving the home to spend money that have competing alternatives. There must be something to take away. Everyone should be able to put themselves in the movie & invest their being in the plot. If this can be achieved with pockets of humor, you’re good!
Producers should read more about the “Bay of Pigs” your movie need not be star studded to be great. It is actually easier to allow the movie plot make stars of your characters. Learn from Game of Thrones, Prison Break, 24 series etc. Every episode was a movie by itself.
In Nigeria, things are improving with the works of Late Amaka Igwe and many rising producers and studios. @kemiadetiba’s #WeddingParty1 kept my eyes peeled. Highly relatable and engaging. No wasted scenes. Glitter & glamour well managed. Clean shots & great characters.
We have also tried to see from varying perspectives by seeing from the prisms of those who live a life of crime as done with #TheJoker especially with movies like #KingOfBoys and #MerryMen both of which were well produced with many goods & room for improvement.
I think there are loads of surprises at the cinemas if we give them a shot. The directorial debut of @funkeakindele with #YourExcellency an @ebonylifefilms also the production debut of @Vzhun with #Kpali & Kayode Kasum’s #SugarRush will make your day! 
If you are a critic whose prejudices may not leave room for risks, kindly watch Kevin Nwankor’s #Muna starring @AdesuaEtomiW this will make you proud of our movie industry. Simple plot, nice action with sparks of surprises. It is worth your time, money and sugar consumption. 🎬
Overall, understanding the complexity of our society enough to tell a Story with a simple plot, that is unprecedented, concrete, credible and empathetic is the golden rule to success in our burgeoning Movie industry. We are not there yet but certainly moved on from the old. 🎥
I can’t wait to work with you all in 2020 as done with several producers over ten years ago. This time, let’s bridge the gap & connect with the people. The world needs to hear our stories from our perspective and appreciate our latent value enough to understand our “Nigerianess.”
