I direct this article to Nollywood. As one of the vital medium through which our ‘Africa ness’ is portrayed to
the world, Nollywood, in many ways, has failed to reveal the African experience to the world. It is a fact that in age, fame and technical expertise, Nollywood is no match to its American counterpart, Hollywood. However, in matters that relate to Africa, I am sure Nollywood should have an upper hand than Hollywood. I shall be speaking for many Africans here when I say that, it was Hollywood that gave us our first taste, of the African experience. I cannot quickly forget The Roots. This film chronicles the invasion of the serene, communal Africa by the Whites. It tells the story of how our ancestors were transported like sardines to an unknown land. It reveals an individuals resilient spirit and zest for freedom. Very recently, two films came out that really shook me and woke me up to the harsh realities of my world. I am talking about Sometime in April and Hotel Rwanda. The gory account of war and several sordid scenes of massacre and killing, made me wonder if all these happened in Africa or somewhere far away. These pictures were filmed to tell us that amidst the tranquil and seemingly peaceful world we live, millions of people are either dying or dead, somewhere not too far away from us. What a great lesson! Yet, do not forget that, these films and many more were researched, directed, acted and even produced by Hollywood community. Instead of aspiring to be like its older, more experienced counterpart, it is high time Nollywood rose to the task of projecting its IMMEDIATE environment. We are tired of the stereotypical films that talk about love, lust or hate. In fact, this trend has so much become a Nollywood culture that once you see an
actor, you already know the role he or she is capable of playing. If our actors must play roles that are true to life, then I suggest that
versatility ought to be encouraged. Every Nollywood actor claims that he is versatile because he played the role of a pauper yesterday and today, he plays the role of a rich man! Versatility has more to do with how flexible an actor can be in adapting to ANY form of role he has been assigned to play. Anyone who has seen Blood Diamond will understand what I mean. Leonardo D’capiro, the world-acclaimed lover-boy actor of Hollywood blockbuster, The Titanic, played the role of a diamond hustler. One could see an actor who has developed his skills up to the point of drawing a line between himself and his given role. I could not even relate Leonardo in that film to Jack in The Titanic. That tells me that this is an actor, who has completely dissociated himself from his roles. Still on versatility, tell me if you were not impressed with Forest Whitaker’s act in The Last King of Scotland. Is it not it shameful that foreigners are telling our own stories to the world? Is it not a pity that our very own ‘vibrant’ actors are no match with their Hollywood counterparts? I have read some interviews in which some Nigerian actors have boldly declared that their goal is to get to Hollywood. You wish. It is not surprising to find Nigerians who do not watch Nollywood films at all. They would rather spend their last card on Hollywood film than get a Nollywood film free. How hilarious! The Europeans came and left with our earth and our births. They wiped Africa clean like a blown-out hearth. However, one thing they could not take away from Africa is the soul of her children. And that soul, is a quintessence of the African religion, culture, philosophy and belief. Thus, an African man is an embodiment of initiative and capacity. Of fortitude and strong will. I challenge Nollywood to put that Africa ness into its films.