Nolly Silver Screen Issue 05 June by Nolly Silver Screen

Nolly Silver Screen 10 Nollywood

ISSUE 05 JUNE 2014

actors who write screenplays

Mama Africa Behind the scenes pictures Apaye

out now on DVD

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of Good Report for South Africa at the 2014 Africa Movie Academy Awards

AMAKA IGWE Celebrating a Nollywood legend

EDITOR’S NOTE

www.nollysilverscreen.com

REVIEWS

his edition is very special to us because we are paying tribute to one of Nollywood’s legends; Amaka Igwe. She is the woman who kept us glued to our screen week after with week with programmes such as Checkmate and Fuji House of Commotion. She really needs no introduction. Check out 15 scenes from Amaka’s life (p. 7) and tributes from some members of theNolly Silver Screen team (p. 8). The tenth anniverssary of the 2014 Africa Movie Academy Awards was a night to rememeber. Get the full list

of winners (p. 10), nominees for the AMAA Media Recognition Award (p. 10) and red carpet pictures (p. 13). Read my personal essay on AMAA (p. 5) which made the top 10 list for the AMAA Media Recognition award. We also have interviews with the Director of the Nollywood Studies Centre, Dr. Ikechukwu Obiaya (p. 9), the producer of Mama Africa, Norbert Ajaegbu (p. 12) and the director of Living Funeral, Udoka Oyeka (p. 14).

COMPETITIONS

INTERVIEWS

NEWS PHOTO: ODUTAYO ODUSANYA

GHOLLYWOOD AWARDS

T E P R A ED C

CINEMA LISTIN S M L I F ORT

SH WEB SERIES

S E L C I T R A FESTIVALS

DOCUMENTARIES

AUDITIONS

Isabella Akinseye @iakinseye

THEATRE

SOME OF THIS EDITION’S CONTRIBUTORS

Agina Eberechukwu Gloria is a graduate

of Mass Communication from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. She is a freelancer and contributes entertainment stories for The Nigerian Telegraph. Check out her piece ‘What’s in a name? Nollywood and its movie titles‘ (p. 9).

Wilfred Okiche

believes in God, medicine, music and movies. A medical doctor, occasional writer, columnist and profiler. He profiles 10 Nollywood actors who write screenplays (p. 3) and compiles a top 5 list of Nigerian movie locations (p. 12). The Nollywood movie he can’t wait to watch this year is Half of a

The Nollywood movie she can’t wait to watch this year is October 1.

Yellow Sun.

Follow @aginaebere

Follow @drwill20

Gbolahan Adams

runs his own media company where he has handled numerous projects for different clients over the years. He sees himself venturing into animation, developing his comic brands and staging an exhibition. View his cartoon strip ‘Rollicking Nollies’ (p. 4) and illustration (p. 7) both focussing on Amaka Igwe. The Nollywood movie he can’t wait to watch this year is Half of a

Yellow Sun.

Follow @gadamsyn

Oluwaponmile Orija is studying Food

Science and Technology at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. She loves writing and has published several works in the newspapers. She interviews people on their favourite Nigerian personality to be made into a superhero for the Vox Pop section (p. 4). The Nollywood movie she can’t wait to watch this year is October 1.

Follow @ o_ponmile

Innocent Ekejiuba

is an alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University. He is the Deputy Editor of Nolly Silver Screen (the website and the magazine). An avid blogger and budding graphics designer, he reviews British Me and Dependence (p. 11). Check out his Nolly Pop Quiz (p. 9). The Nollywood movie she can’t wait to watch this year is 76.

Follow @Prince_ice

CONTENTS June 2014 FEATURES

3 10 NOLLYWOOD ACTORS WHO WRITE SCREENPLAYS 5 AFRICA MOVIE ACADEMY AWARDS: A DECADE OF UNITING, CELEBRATING AND REWARDING AFRICAN FILMMAKERS 9 WHAT’S IN A NAME? NOLLYWOOD AND ITS MOVIE TITLES 12 TOP 5 NIGERIAN MOVIE LOCATIONS

8 INTERVIEWS

7 15 SCENES FROM AMAKA’S LIFE 8 TRIBUTES TO AMAKA IGWE 9 Q & A WITH DR. IKECHUKWU OBIAYA 12 UP, CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH NORBERT AJAEGBU 14 TALENT ON THE RISE: UDOKA OYEKA

COMPETITION 2 FREE GIVEAWAYS

REGULARS

1 EDITOR’S NOTE 1 CONTRIBUTORS’ BIOS 4 CELEBRATIONS THIS MONTH 6 ON SET 10 NEWS 11 REVIEWS 13 RED CARPET 14 DVD RELEASES

13 EXTRAS

4 VOX POP 4 WORDS OF WISDOM FROM THE STARS 9 NOLLY POP QUIZ

NOLLY SILVER SCREEN TEAM PUBLISHER Quill and Scroll Creatives EDITOR Isabella Akinseye DEPUTY EDITOR Innocent Ekejiuba GRAPHICS & LAYOUT Isabella Akinseye

CONTRIBUTORS Temitayo Amogunla Gbolahan Adams Agina Eberechukwu Wilfred Okiche Oluwaponmile Orija EDITORIAL BOARD Temitayo Amogunla Bola Atta Bola Audu Toni Kan

Nolly Silver Screen is a monthly online magazine of www.nollysilverscreen.com Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited.

Write ‘n’ win

t you have Write to us about wha and stand a enjoyed in this edition lous prizes. chance of winning fabu giving out 2 This month, we will be ime Suites DVD. copies of Murder at Pr ema tickets to Also up for grabs are cin in Nigeria and see a Nollywood movie a gift hamper. rscreen.com Email: info@nollysilve media Get in touch via social lysilverscreen www.facebook .com/nol llysilverscreen www.google.com/+no rscreen www.twitter.com/nsilve ollysilverscreen www.instagram.com/n

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te screenplays The WRITE move: 10 Nollywood actors whoYwri WILFRED OKICHE B

They light up the screen with their presence and have provided rewarding moments for their devoted fans. But for these screen blokes and divas, acting is just not enough. Unable to get the kind of roles deserving of their talent, they sat back and wrote for themselves, the kind of characters they would want to play. PHOTO CREDITS: LEFT (FROM TOP TO BOTTOM) Afrinolly.com; Theglamfile.com; Bellanaija.com; Premiumtimes.com; Y Africa magazine RIGHT (FROM TOP TO BOTTOM) Ireporterstv.com; Africanspotlight.com; Nigeriafilms.com; Twitter.com; Fabulouscity.com

heenwritacer,ca -R bo Ug e ny hio As scr duc pro , An actress, singer

JA eta Amata

lot of people know Jeta Amata as a filmmaker but th at word is so broa d, it encompasses a lo t of titles. An awar d winning writer, pr oducer and direct or , Jeta, a scion of th e famous Amata clan is one of Nollywoo d’s biggest expo rts. He won the Amer ican Black Film Festival prize for penning the scre enplay for Black Nov ember and is an AMAA nominee for his writing wor k on The Amazing Gra ce.

ther? er and model. Did we mention mo enterAshionye Ugbo-Raccah has been rs now taining audiences for over 10 yea estic but it was in 2013 when the dom d that drama Journey to Self was release writwe came in contact with her screen Ogun, ing skills. Directed by Tope OshinTosin the movie stars Dakore Egbuson, AMVCA Sido and won Nse Ikpe Etim the for Best Actress.

Nuaella Njubigbo Chikere e er ik Ch di hi Tc As for student schooling in Owerri, ws ne the Tchidi Chikere might be in

Nuella Njubigbo Chikere longed days but to all the wrong reasons these appear in the world of make belief. an is he t tha t fac the none can deny She caught her break first as a scr and director een accomplished screenwriter wri r ter, ge pen on Str nin , g ul suc So l h title tifu s au as Next of with movies like Be Kin, Royal Palace and Lord of He . dit cre his to ed lov Be d than Pain an Marriage. Not satisfied with stayin appearance g also makes the occasional beh t ind the tha us sce nes vio , ob she ite ma qu de is her it as an actor but n word and foray into acting and can be seen in his strengths lie in the writte films like Dumebi the Dirty Girl and behind the camera. Tears of a Widow. and Oyato. ale in films like Kosorogun

nimoe stLisunucces ssful and beloved ha ep St the of e On

phanie Linus actors of her generation, Ste lf and her changed the game for herse ed from her colleagues when she return Academy stint at the New York Film ected her and wrote, produced and dir to record little film Through the Glass, currently box-office receipts. She is her next putting finishing touches to film Dr y.

Rukky Sanda

A few years ago Rukky Sanda was a punch line, a ditz y pseudo-blonde not to be taken serio usly and relegate d to bit part roles in te rrible movies. Th en she made things work for herself by setting up her ow n production outfi t. Keeping costs lo w, she wrote, prod uc ed, directed and star red in her own fil ms and before long she made her big screen debut in th e rom-com Keep ing My Man.

ez gu ri od -R bo m Jo he Uc rsons pe One of the hardest working

Omoni Oboli

The ver y married Omoni Oboli ma de a conspicuous entrance playing the object of Ramsey Nouah’s obsess ion in the horror flick The Figurine. She proved herself a box-office attract ion in Leo Nzekwe’s Anchor Baby but she was unsatisfied with the roles she pla yed. She retreated for a while and wro te herself back into the game with the thriller Brother’s Keeper.

-Rodriin Nollywood, Uche Jombo le success guez has found considerab - as an both in front of the screen ducer and actress and behind, as a pro eenwritscreenwriter. Some of her scr Men Play, ing credits include Games Hood. The Celebrity and Girls in the duced the She also co-wrote and pro ected by Damage trilogy of movies dir Moses ‘Sneeze’ Inwang.

e el nd ki A e nk Fu iting and wr to Ms. Akindele turned

films after producing her own Yoruba in theirs. no one wanted to cast her o her Taking her own destiny int in 2008 hands, she hit the jackpot enon with the pop culture phenom l since, Jenifa and has been on a rol o writing and producing its tw s other sequels, as well as numerou smaller titles.

Ivie Okujaye

Her biggest claim to fa me is her triumph on the now re sted reality TV talent hunt series Amste l Malta Box Office but Ivie Okujaye has proved herself an important ta lent to watch, winning both an AMAA and an AMVCA for her acting skills and penning the screenplays fo r the movies, The Volunteers and Kamara’s Tree directed by Desmond Elliot.Sfance up in 2007 with

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM THE STARS “Concentrate on making a good movie that would e affect people and surely th money would follow. Good work pays.” STAN NZE Nollywood actor

VOX POP

Which Nigerian personality would you love to be made into a superhero? Yemi Blaq el icha

Adesoye M

Bolaji Amusan (M

r. Latin)

Olamidayo Olad

ipo

Joke Silva

Gbemisola Orija

Olaniyi Afonja (Sanyeri) Ifeanyi Dike

“Be passionate. Acting is much more than the glitz and glamour. Get some professional training. Try to be dynamic, learn and try new things everyday even if it’s as simple as doing things with your left hand, you usually do with your right, because as an actor you can be called upon to be anybody anytime. Take up countless hobbies as they will introduce you into new worlds. Most importantly, be your own biggest fan by believing 100 percent in yourself and never giving up. Its a tough industry out there.” SYLVIA OLUCHY Nollywood actress BY ISABELLA AKINSEYE

Osita Iheme

Doyin Dosumu

eje O.C Uk nyin

Liz Dasilva

a Osa

r Omola

Olurombi Opeye

Omotola Jalade E

keinde

Dolapo Onigbin

Funke Akin

Emmanue

dele

Desmond Elliot

l Oduntan

Dare Adeyemi

Blossom Chuks C

hukwujekwu

Omotola Oke

BY OLUWAPONMILE ORIJA

9 Tonto

Dikeh

JUNE CELEBRATIONS

12 18 Halima Emeka

Abubakar Amakeze

5 Africa Movie Academy Awards: A decade of uniting, celebrating and rewarding African filmmakers When Peace Anyiam-Osigwe decided to start the Africa Movie Academy Awards back in 2005, she had a number of objectives in mind. She wanted to create a platform to “celebrate Africans.” Borne as an initiative from the Anyiam-Osigwe Foundation, the Pan African awards has gone beyond celebration to rewarding and uniting African filmmakers across the globe and bring about positive change through film. Ten years down the line, supporters and critics would agree with Ms. Anyiam-Osigwe that the annual award has “raised the profile of African cinema” as evidenced in more films being accepted into mainstream international film festivals. In addition, the Africa Film Academy which runs the AMAAs has distinguished itself from the pack by using filmmaking as a veritable tool for development. In 2013 alone, over 4,000 people benefitted from AMAA’s flagship programme – Film in a Box. The 21 day all-round film training course has been held in Gambia, Southern Africa and Nigeria. Beyond the development of technical skills, the values of team work and team building are promoted among participants. The programme has been well received and endorsed by the President of Rwanda, Mrs. Joyce Banda who hosted the nominations party in 2013. Also facilitated by Africa Film Academy is the Africa Film Business Roundtable which is held yearly in different countries. This event brings together captains of the industry and private sector to develop strategy and action plans to grow and develop African cinema. The discussions focus on distribution, finance and promotion of African productions. The awards ceremony itself which is hosted annually in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State has enjoyed both local and international coverage. AMAA has been profiled on CNN, The Al Jazeera Picture Show and was broadcast live on Mnet Africa to over 270 million viewers. In line with its mission to showcase the best of African talents on a global stage, the organisers have been able to attract year on year leading Hollywood personalities such as Forest Whitaker, Lynn Whitfield, Danny Glover, Morris Chestnut and Vivica Fox among others. However, the success and the achievements of the awards over the years have been marred by issues with logistics, stage management and production. According to Ms. Anyiam-Osigwe, “Half of that logistics problem is not from us as AMAA…when you have to work with state government officials, it’s difficult. Those are some of the things we’ve put on the table this year for clarification. If that is sorted out, then we will not have problem with this year’s event.” In addition, Bayelsa has no airport which means visitors have to embark on a two hour journey by road from Port Harcourt city in neighbouring Rivers State. For a smoother operation, a lot more collaboration with the private sector is necessary if the full potential of the event is to be realised. Opportunities in tourism are huge considering what Calabar has been able to achieve with its yearly jazz festival and month long carnival celebrations. However, the securing private sector sponsorship has been “difficult and is still work in progress.” According to its founder, AMAA receives more international support. However, things are looking brighter for this year’s ceremony as the organisers have been able to bring more local companies on board. In addition, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Honourable Seriacke Dickson has pledged to fully support the awards and has played an active part in raising funds from corporate Nigeria.

ship in the Caribbean, the USA, South Africa and Kenya. AMAA, not resting on its oars has continued to have local relevance for African filmmakers. 2014 AMAA Brand Ambassador, Lydia Forson shared her story about how the awards opened doors for her. “I met Kunle Afolayan at AMAA and he told me he liked my acting and he would like to work with me. Two years after, he called me to work on his set for his film Phone Swap.” She goes on to say, “When I won AMAA as Best Actress with Jackie Appiah. The calls for jobs were coming in from different parts of the world and when I asked why they were all calling me, they said ‘but you are have just been crowned as the best actress in Africa’.” Veteran Nollywood actor, Zack Orji said, “AMAA has made the Africa movie great. Now Africa and African films are being celebrated. Now we have proved to the world that we have come of age.” While AMAA has attracted the audience of leaders across Africa and filmmakers alike, a finding conducted among cinemagoers in Nigeria showed the awards played a smaller role in determining their film choices. For viewers, the actual content and people involved were much higher up the list. Bola Audu said, “I trust a filmmaker over an award. I will watch a movie that Tunde Kelani produces because his movies are real. His movies don’t insult the intelligence.” According to Bimbo Olaiya, “I might watch a movie that has won an AMAA but it is not the first requirement. For me, the directors and actors are key. Also, I read the synopsis to see if it is interesting.” Buoyed by the need to engage its audience, the AMAA organisers announced a People’s Choice Awards (PCA) system as a way of re-engaging with the past winners of AMAA and also, to create a two-way communications between the past winners and the populace. “We are giving the public across Africa to choose their best from our past winners in all the categories. This is different from the main award which is jury based,” said its founder. To add to the excitement, winners in each of the categories will get cash reward of $10,000 each and the public will have chance to text and win fabulous prizes ranging from phones, Ipads and a car. Also included in the 10th year anniversary celebrations is a Media Recognition award aimed at rewarding journalists who have supported the awards. AMAA’s story will be incomplete without talking about the rebirth of Nigerian cinema. Starting with Stephanie Okereke’s student film Through the Glass, cinemagoers for the past ten years have been enjoying quality movies from Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa. Silverbird General Manager, Ayo Sewanu said, “There has been a tremendous improvement in the patronage of Nollywood movies in cinemas in the last couple of years. Nollywood producers that have made efforts in improving the quality of their productions always perform amazingly well at the box office.” In 2013, FilmHouse compiled listed a top 10 list of Nollywood movies which included seven Nigerian and three Ghanaian productions. Interestingly, the chart was dominated by female producers and also featured a non-English film.

Also, there has been an increase in the number of filmmakers investing in big budget movies with Half of A Yellow Sun costing a whopping $12 million to produce. The movie which is set to begin its Nigeria screening in April 2014 was shot in Nigeria and funded locally. The star studded cast features award winning actors from Hollywood and Nollywood – showing again the endless possibilFor its tenth anniversary celebrations, the nominations party will ities that abound in Africa’s growing film industry. Segun Fayose hold on 2 April in Johannesburg, South Africa. “We have done a of Mnet sums up the AMAA journey succinctly: “AMAA has really lot of work in the Southern region in the past year and in a way it is to give back to President Jacob Zuma and Mrs. Joyce Banda, the come of age. The producers now know that there are people monpresident of Malawi who hosted the AMAA Nominations in 2013”, itoring what they do. So this has really helped to bring a great deal said Ms. Anyiam-Osigwe. This multi-country collaboration also ex- of advancement to the Nigerian movie industry.” The 2014 AMAAs tends to the composition of its jury which has helped to cement its will take place on 24 May. - ISABELLA AKINSEYE authority in the industry. The jury comprises Berni Goldblat, Steve Ayorinde, John Akomfrah, Keith Shiri, June Givanni, Hyginus Ozoemen Ekwuazi, Shaibu Husseini, Ayoku Babu, Asantewa Olatunji and This article was first published on www.nollysilverscreen.com Dorothee Wenner. To further leverage on its international support and has earned Isabella Akinseye a place in the top 10 list of and influence, the organisers have done a strategic media partner- nominees in the 2014 AMAA Media Recognition Award.

PICTURES FROM THE SET OF A IC FR A A M A M ’S U B EG A J A T ER NORB

Tributes to Amaka Igwe from Nolly Silver Screen Apart from being a writer, producer and director, she was described as a game changer, a visionary, a female giant and an intelligent inspiration to all female moviemakers by Nollywood colleagues. Amaka Igwe impacted many lives; she had a wonderful spirit and never hesitated in assisting upcoming scriptwriters even young adults and students. She was the founder of BOBTV expo, a television programme expo with the aim of structuring the exchange of quality TV content in Nigeria. As well as being the CEO of Top Radio 90.9FM, Amaka Igwe Studios and Q Entertainment Networks which was planned to come on DSTV platform as a channel, she made plans to improve the Igbo film industry. Snatched away by asthma which could have been averted if quick medical attention was given, Amaka Igweâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s works live on. The whole movie industry and the society at large no doubt will miss a rare gem, one of the greatest pioneers of the industry and an intellectual who with her humorous Fuji House of Commotion and award winning soap Checkmate held families and viewers spellbound. All tributes, comments in death and the awards received while on earth are not enough to console for your loss Amaka Igwe. But you definitely live on in the hearts of many and we hope the legacy you built and left behind is followed. May your soul continue to rest in peace. BY OLUWAPONMILE ORIJA As a teenager, I grew up on Fuji House of Commotion. Week after week, it was a delight to watch Chief Fuji and his harem of wives and children. It was a delight to allow them tickle me into delirious laughter. This is the memory that I have of Amaka Igwe. The director behind that house, behind many things in the Nigerian film industry. Her light shines on through her work! BY TEMITAYO AMOGUNLA

I remember being asked recently about people who I would like to interview. I had a long list and you were on it. When I think of women in Nollywood, your name easily comes to mind. I know I could have hustled and tried to get your email or contact details to interview you but I believed that I had time. In fact, I remember making a mental note to find a way to let you know when we featured Amaka Igwe Studios in our Top 5 list of Nigerian production houses. I never got round to it. Years ago, I heard about a screenwriting programme you were organising, I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ready then. When I was finally ready, I made the phone call and I was told it was a full time programme. I hoped that the weekend option would emerge soon enough. You stood for quality. You stood for excellence. You stood for us women. With you around, it was okay to believe that as a woman you can succeed in a traditionally male dominated industry. Again, I planned on writing a book focussing on the work we women are doing in Nollywood, your name again was on my list. Thank you for giving us a template with sopas like Checkmate and Fuji House of Commotion. Thanks for not resting on your oars and dreaming big. Production studios. A radio station. A TV network. A magazine. Yes, I remember reading TMC Box Office and I daresay, it sowed a seed in me on the need to promote our own box office and its talents. I know you would have been very proud of us here at Nolly Silver Screen and would have words of wisdom and encouragement for us. Even if we never hear your voice again or see your face, your spirit lives on in the works you have left behind and most importantly, the lives you have touched knowingly or unknowignly. Rest well Nne.

BY ISABELLA AKINSEYE

What’s in a name? Nollywood and its movie titles BY AGINA EBERECHUKWU Nollywood movies are synonymous with titles that either make you laugh, annoy you or make you wonder exactly what was going on in the mind of the filmmaker when choosing the title. Some of these titles are culled out of trends or current affairs such as ASUU Strike, Blackberry Babes, Okija Shrine, Daughter of a Gambler, Hustlers and many more.

Rabi Abudullahi. “I can’t really say there are bad titles because some of them work eventually though at first hearing, they sound crazy. Producers need to use faces that would sell their movie, wacky title or not.”

Opeyemi Adisa, an upcoming movie producer, thinks that some of Nollywood’s movie titles are whack because they are too obvious and easily give the story away. “What our movie titles lack is branding. They don’t give movies titles that make them become a brand. Look at Transformers, Die Hard, Jennifa, Expendibles and Rush Hour. Instead, we have film makers using the soundtrack to keep echoing the titles throughout the movie which can be annoying.”

Personally, I prefer movie titles with one or two words. The proverbial title also does it for me any day. I recall the days of The Village Headmaster, Ichoku, Cockrow At Dawn and many others. Bad titles can downgrade a movie.

For movie marketer Ejike Enwerem, “Our movie titles are really messed up with very few available I can easily make reference to.” For him, three things must be consideredin titling a movie and “they are the script, the script and the script. One shouldn’t be able to predict a movie just by looking at the title.” According to him, the title of a movie should be the last thing and not the first thing as is always the case with our producers. However, content producer, Feyikummi Odunsi thinks otherwise and says that Nollywood movie titles are getting better. Citing examples such as The Meeting, Flower Girl, HoodRush, Maami and Figurine. She also added that, “Some of the movie titles people see as bad actually work well in selling a movie. I don’t see anything wrong with movie titles telling the audience what to expect in a movie or what a movie is about because that is what would sell it to movie audience.” She said, ‘The thing with us is that we over criticise Nollywood movies that we fail to see the good in them.” “It would interest you to know that some people actually look out for known faces in a movie before they buy or watch it and not the title,” says Hajia

Tell us about yourself. I am the director of the Nollywood Studies Centre. My role is ensuring that everything goes right. But I also intend to a hukwu Obiay be involved Q & A with Dr. Ikec in the discusEYE BY ISABELLA AKINS sions.

Time has come for moviemakers to go the extra mile in making movies that would compete favourably in the global market. Extra attention should be given to the whole production process including the title.

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What structures need to be put in place for Nollywood filmmakers? Quite a few things need to be put in place, really, but two of them are essential. In the first place, a distribution network that would reach the different nooks and crannies of the country and eliminate the vacuum that makes it easier for pirates to function. In the second place, greater rigour in the enforcement of the laws is required. The legal structures are already in place, but the manpower needs of the relevant agencies have to to be beefed up.

What role can government and the private sector play? The government can play a role by strengthening the capabilities of the relevant agencies to carry out their tasks What can we expect? This conference is the first one of the Nolly- of protecting the rights of the filmmakers. This, to a large extent, requires providing wood Studies Centre, and we have chosen to focus on film distribution. We are hoping the right level of funding for these agencies. The private sector, on the other to be able to go beyond the talk and to come out with workable ideas. Various hand, can play an important role by initiatives are cropping up in the industry, investing in the industry. As the saying goes, to make money, you must spend and we would like to be able to come out money. The establishment of a national with a clear picture that would serve as a distribution network, for instance, can only guide for those of the industry. be done with the due financing.

NOLLY POP QUIZ

BY INNOCENT EKEJIUBA

1. Who was on the cover of the 2nd Issue of Nolly Silver Screen? 2. What are the names of the three movies on page 14 of the April Issue? 3. Which movie had a full page ad in the first issue of Nolly Silver Screen? 4. How many pages was the first issue? 5. Who wrote the article ‘Pornography in Nigeria: A rising Trend’ and in what issue was it published? Answers can be found online.

What would you consider as the greatest achievement of Nollywood in 2013? Its ability to remain relevant in spite of the various challenges is an important achievement. The Nollywood Centre organises a monthly forum, what has been the impact so far? The Filmmakers’ Forum is intended to provide a platform for interaction among filmmakers and between the filmmakers and their audience. The impact, so far, is still fairly limited when you compare the number of persons that have taken part in the Forum with the number of persons actually engaged in the industry. But we are quite happy at the feedback we have received. Many have welcomed the Forum and have seen it as a platform for sharing and learning. In one word, Nollywood is? Perseverance. PHOTO: COURTESY OF DR. IKECHUKWU OBIAYA

2014 AFRICA ACADEMY MOVIE AWARDS The 2014 Africa Movie Academy Awards was announced on 24 May 2014 at a gathering of filmmakers, celebrities, government representatives and press at the Gloryland Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa. EFERE OZAKO AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST SHORT FILM Dialemi – Gabon AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST ANIMATION Khumba – South Africa AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY Hamu Beya – The Sand Fishers – Mali Portraits of a Lone Farmer – Nigeria/Denmark OUSMANE SEMBENE AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST FILM IN AN AFRICAN LANGUAGE B for Boy – Nigeria AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST DIASPORA SHORT Passage – Bahamas AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST DIASPORA DOCUMENTARY Through the Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People – USA AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST DIASPORA FEATURE Kingston Paradise – Jamaica AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION DESIGN Northern Affair – Ghana AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN Ni Sisi – Kenya AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKE-UP Once Upon A Road Trip – South Africa AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUNDTRACK Onye Ozi – Nigeria AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECT A Mile From Home – Nigeria AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND The Forgotten Kingdom – South Africa

N E W S AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY The Forgotten Kingdom – South Africa AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING Potomanto – Ghana AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN SCREENPLAY Of Good Report – South Africa AMAA 2014 BAYELSA STATE GOVERNMENT ENDOWED AWARD FOR BEST NIGERIAN FILM Accident AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST CHILD ACTOR Lebohang Ntsane – Forgotten Kingdom (South Africa) AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST YOUNG/PROMISING ACTOR Petronella Tshuma – Of Good Report (South Africa) AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Thapelo Mofekeng – Felix (South Africa) AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Patience Ozokwor – After the Proposal (Nigeria) AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE Mothusi Magano – Of Good Report (South Africa) AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE Clarion Chukwurah – Apaye (Nigeria) AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST FIRST FEATURE FILM BY A DIRECTOR Harrikrishna & Sharvan Anenden – The Children of Troumaron (Mauritius) AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTOR Jamil X.T. Quebeka – Of Good Report (South Africa) AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST FILM Of Good Report – South Africa AMAA SPECIAL JURY PRIZE FOR A SHORT FILM New Horizons – Nigeria AMAA 2014 MADIBA AWARD FOR A FILM THAT

BEST PROMOTES MANDELA’S IDEALS Ni Sisi – Kenya AMAA 2014 PRESIDENT JOYCE BANDA AWARD FOR A FILM ON WOMEN EMPOWERMENT B for Boy – Nigeria

Goldblat makes strong case for Ciné Guimbi Swiss born Burkina Faso based director Berni Goldblat has made a strong case for the Ciné Guimbi project.

AMAA 2014 SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD Bob Manuel-Udowku

10 Finalists emerge in AMAA 2014 media recognition award AMAA’s media recognition awards three-man committee was coordinated by Steve Ayorinde, the Chairman of AMAA 2014 Jury. Other members of the screening panel for the media award were Thisday newspaper columnist, Onoshe Nwabuikwu, and Dr. Ifeoma Amobi of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos. The media awards, which carries $10,000 prize money, will be shared among the three clear winners and two consolation prizes will also be presented. The 10 finalists and their nominated entries include Businessday’s Funke Adetutu, The Peace Anyiam-Osigwe on a show beyond the continent; Sunday Tribune’s Akintayo Abodunrin, Catalyst to greatness: How AMAA aided their rise to the top; Businessday’s Daniel Obi, African Film Industry, AMAA and FDIs; National Mirror’s Terh Agbedeh, Nigerian film industry regains credibility at AMAA; and Punch’s Akeem Lasisi, Thumbs up for Figurine on a night of perfect picture. Others include Guardian’s Chuks Nwanne, At 10, AMAA rolls the drum for mother Africa; E24-7’s Biodun Kupoluyi, Night of AMAAzing performances in Bayelsa; Nolly Silver Screen’s Isabella Akinseye, AMAA: A decade of uniting, celebrating and rewarding African filmmakers; a Kenyan, Njenga Micugu from Nairobi Digest, also made the list with the entry, African film should go digital to discover more Lupitas; and from the broadcast media is Collins Ukaonu, whose interview in Reel Nollywood on Galaxy Television made the list.

The cinema which was formerly called Ciné Rio was built in the late 1950s under the French colonial government. The open air theatre was first managed by a French company, then by the Burkinabe National Cinema Company (SONACIB). Ciné Guimbi was taken over by a filmmaker association, AARPA, which went bankrupt in 2003. Golbalt decided to set up Association de soutien du cinéma au Burkina Faso to take over the rehabilitation, restoration and management of Ciné Guimbi. In 2012, he began a major fundraising campaign and was able to secure funding at several international film festivals and 140 seats and 44% of the budget was secured. Ciné Guimbi which has a 2015 completion date will be a covered cinema with 154 and 323 seats for each screen. “The aim is to equip it with DLP (digital light processing) projectors and a high quality sound system,” says Goldblat. On 31 December 2013, industry professionals were able to buy the site as a result of a grant from Michèle Berset Swiss Foundation.

Nolly Silver Screen is an official media partner with Ciné Guimbi.

REVIEWS

Title: Keeping My Man

Title: British Me

Genre: Trailer

Genre: Documentary

Director: Rukky Sanda

Director: Dayo Adeneye

Year: 2013

British Me is a documentary that investigates the lives of “British-Nigerians” and questions their closeness with the Nigerian culture. Unfortunately, philosophers would argue that the documentary sights too few examples who might as well be untypical examples and is also one-sided. Of course, there are Nigerians abroad who yearn for home, but there are also those who are uninterested. Dayo Adeneye should have been specific by giving figures showing Nigerians who want to recognise with Nigeria and those who wouldn’t. Interviewing the other group would have been great. All in all this is a nice initiative with a bad execution. - INNOCENT EKEJIUBA Title: Dependence Genre: Short Film Director: Brian Wilson Year: 2012

Rukky Sanda, the multifaceted filmmaker has yet added another feather to her hat with Keeping My Man. Starting with the title, it is one movie that any woman would like to see if only to see if they are doing the right things to keep their man. Really, how does one keep their man? Is it through the stomach or through the other place? These were the questions going through my mind as I watched the trailer. From the opening sequence with nice music, it was obvious that the answer was the latter option. It was from one kissing scene to another kissing scene. As if that wasn’t enough, we got to see Alexx Ekubo making love to his on screen wife played by Ini Edo and then it gets even worse, Ramsey Nouah is grabbing the thighs of a woman as he fondles her on the bed. The dialogue too revolves around sex; the demand for it, the loss of interest in it and the role it plays in general. We see Monalisa Chinda’s negative attitude towards when sex when she speaks to her shrink played by Abiola Segun Williams and her husband, Kenneth Okolie. Ramsey’s character on the other hand just can’t seem to just have enough of it. As expected, there is a bit of shouting and dramatic moments but unfortunately, the sound level is not consistent. Thankfully, Ramsey Nouah saves the day by saying “communication” is key in a marriage. There are also some comedic moments that one cannot help but laugh; Ini Edo (dressed in the costume of a maid) says, “I have been a naughty, naughty,naughty girl” and pushes a broom to put emphasis on the ‘naughty’. Verdict – You would enjoy watching Keeping My Man if you want to see a lot of drama, making out and sex plus Ramsey Nouah can do no wrong as a lover boy. - ISABELLA AKINSEYE

The first thought that comes into my mind whenever I watch Dependence is, “This is absolutely brilliant”. It goes right to the point and hits the nail on the head, or should I say hit the bottle on the head. With a deep understanding of symbolism, the director portrayed the hopeless and deluded mind of a drunk, hence representing a crystal clear message. However, somebody forgot to pay attention to the audio. Not only is the lack of an appropriate score frustrating, the unfiltered noise coming from the set is equally infuriating. Aside the sound issues, Dependence is plainly great. - INNOCENT EKEJIUBA

GUEST REVIEW Title: The Men in Her Life Produced by: Africa Magic Productions Category: Drama

The Men in Her Life revolves around—as the title says—the men in Pat (Steph Nora Okere) the main character’s life. There are four of them—her ex-husband, Wale (Kunle Coker); her client and serial lunch date, Andrew (Ayo Badmus); her second son and teenager, Akin (Olumide Oworu); her first son and gigolo, Bukola (Bassey Ekpeyong). These men fill her life—and the (re)viewers’—with heart racing drama. Bukola is a male prostitute—a job is unthinkable to many Nigerians. Especially when the person involved is from a respectable background. The treatment of the issue is one of the highlights of the film. Without casting blame, or playing the moral card, it shines light on an issue that is usually swept under the rug of silence. It asks: how do men become prostitutes? How can they be rehabilitated? It is not easy for Bukola to leave the easy way to the good life. However, he does. In his doing so, his parents find come together to make put him on the right path and they find happiness, although still separated. The cast gave their best through their acting but Steph Nora Okere’s acting was believable. - TEMITAYO AMOGUNLA

For more Nollywood movie reviews, log on to www.nollysilverscreen.com

TOP 5 NIGERIAN MOVIE LOCATIONS BY WILFRED OKICHE

Hollywood has its major studios located in the sprawling expanse of Los Angeles. Nollywood will always have Lagos. And Asaba. And Kano. And Calabar. Depends really on the filmmaker and his budget. We go on a nationwide scout to bring you 5 of the biggest film locations this side of the Atlantic. Call them film villages if you will, these are the sites where all the magic is created.

Up, Close and Personal with

Norbert Ajaegbu

Asaba have become synonymous with The capital of Delta state may

straight-to-DVD B-movies starring the likes of Chike Ike and Tonto Dikeh but for sheer nationwide distribution machinery that is sure to reach every corner of the country, none can beat Asaba’s reach. With hundreds of titles released every day, the serene and welcoming nature of the city provides a heaven for film makers looking to catch a break from the heavy taxes and restrictions imposed by Lagos State.

INSPIRATION BEHIND MAMA AFRICA

I was inspired by the feeling that the leaders of African nations need a re-think. Their prerogative should be the people they rule not self satiation. I feel like touching the conscience of the privileged. I yearn for the emancipation of the poor in the African society. I want to change culture, to dethrone corruption and enthrone a true nation.

CASTING TONTO DIKEH AS LEAD

An emerging power bloc, Bayelsa is more famous for being home to the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) than for churning out movies in their numbers. But in a bold move, bolstered by the tourism potential generated by AMAA, the state government has announced plans to build a 20 billion Naira film village with support from the private sector. The big budget biopic Apaye: A Mother’s Love starring Clarion Chukwura was shot in the creeks of Bayelsa.

Bayels

Not too long ago, Calabar was that quiet town famous for its end of year street carnival and a mid-year jazz festival. But the forward thinking governor Liyel Imoke has welcomed the arts crowd to the state and media mogul Mo Abudu set up her Ebony Life network in the Tinapa studios. The network has since commissioned a good number of original films to be shot in the serene capital. The state also hosted the 3rd edition of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF).

Calaba

4. Kano

Kano state has been a hub for the Northern filmmaking community dubbed Kannywood since the early nineties when films like Turmin Danya made a big splash. The biggest cross over act to come out of this sub-sector has been Ali Nuhu but his success tends to obscure the fact that there is a thriving film community in the heart of the North, complete with its A-list stars and film buying audience.

Lagos

The city of Lagos has been intertwined in Nollywood’s history since the first major film, Living in Bondage was released. 20 long years later and Lagos is still the film industry capital, boasting more than 5 cinema houses for the new school lovers as well as a formidable market base for producers with smaller budgets. Rare is the weekend that a new film isn’t premiered at the Silverbird Galleria and anyone looking to become a star knows to pack their bags and head for the big city.

The choice of Tonto was basically for her audience appeal and marketability as at the time the movie was shot. Also, her willingness to endure the controversy that may trail the movie was also a factor.

PRODUCING MAMA AFRICA

The production was arranged according to location. We had made all props and special props available before embarking on production proper. We were on location slightly above one month. Shooting with a crowd was the most challenging in course of production.

CHALLENGES ON THE JOB

Our major challenge was the sourcing of funds for production and post production. I do believe that with funds available, Oscars will be our limit. We were able to overcome this with the support of United African Laboratories, makers of Krispine HB 12 blood syrup.

MESSAGE FOR THE VIEWERS

I urge my viewers to figure out the satire in the movie and learn the lessons inherent in Mama Africa which calls for the respect of the social contract between the people and the government and between the rich and the poor.

CHANGING NOLLYWOOD

If I may be able to change the existing structure of Nollywood, I will be fulfilled especially if I can get practitioners to love and understand themselves.

NOLLYWOOD’S FUTURE

It is great for us and for generations to come. We only need to fix things, then, the future generations will need to learn from our mistakes, be a little more selfless and leave a lasting legacy of Africa’s biggest entertainment industry.

OCEAN MOVIES’ NEXT MOVE

Expect things better than what you have seen in terms of movies and music.

LAST NOLLYWOOD DVD

The last Nollywood DVDs I bought were Too Late and The Meeting.

NORBERT IN ONE WORD

Understanding (a word that defines me is seeking to understand others than to be understood). INTERVIEW: ISABELLA AKINSEYE PHOTO: COURTESY OF NORBERT AJAEGBU

2014 AFRICA MOVIE ACADEMY AWARDS

TOP (L - R) Peace Anyiam-Osigwe; O.C. Ukeje; Clarion Chukwurah; Richard Mofe Damijo; Rita Dominic. ROW 2 (L -R) Fathia Balogun; Danny Glover; Nkem Owoh; Jackie Appiah, Ebizi Brown. ROW 3 (L - R) Patience Ozokwor; Petronella Tshuma; Teco Benson, Joselyn Dumas; Lebohang Ntsane ROW 4 (L - R) Ibinabo Fiberisima; Saidi Balogun, Ivie Okujaiye; Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen; Lydia Forson PHOTOS: COURTESY OF AFRICA MOVIE ACADEMY AWARDS

DVD RELEASES

Apaye and Murder at Prime Suites now on DVD

2014 Africa Movie Academy Awards nominated film, Apaye: A Mother’s Love has been released on DVD. The Royal Arts Academy movie was produced by Emem Isong and features 2014 AMAA award winner Clarion Chukwurah, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Belinda Effah, Mbong Amata and Millicent Jack. 2014 AMVCA and 2014 AMAA nominated film Murder at Prime Suites is now available on DVD. The investigative crime thriller written and directed by Eneaji Chris Eneng and features Joseph Benjamin, Keira Hewatch, Florence Ngwu, Okey Uzoeshi, Stan Nze and Moyinoluwa Olutayo.

-ISABELLA AKINSEYE

TALENT ON THE RISE: UDOKA OYEKA Udoka Oyeka is a Nollywood actor, director and producer. He speaks to Nolly Silver Screen about his latest effort Living Funeral which was nominated at the 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards and 2014 Africa Movie Academy Awards. What is your educational background? I had my secondary school education in Nigeria and upon graduation, I went to the United States for higher education. I attended and graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with an Accounting degree. Describe your experience working on Living Funeral. Living Funeral was a totally different experience from my other films in the sense that I made the film the way I had wanted to. It’s the first film I’ve made where I didn’t change anything from the script. I had excellent actors and an excellent crew and a wonderful co-producer and executive producer. This project has been a journey, a good one; from creating the story to making the film. Orode Ryan Okpu who is the CEO of the Pink Pearl Foundation had seen my films and wanted to make a film to create breast cancer awareness. She has been the powerhouse behind this film. How was the casting process? It was very difficult to find the lead actress. Luckily for us we found Stephanie Wilson. This film is actually her first time acting ever and for her to be nominated for Best Actress at the 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards alongside other veterans is just testament to the talent that was poured out in this film. Liz Ameye, popularly known as Liz Benson is just pure and raw with her talent in this film as well alongside veteran actor Norbert Young. Omawumi and Waje wrote and recorded an original soundtrack for this film which they performed in the film. They both bring it home and are truly amazing vocalists.

Share with your most memorable on set experience? Every time we shot into the night about 3 or 4 in the morning, to keep our energies up, my cinematographer and I would take a break to listen to reggae. Then, we would sing at the top of our lungs for some minutes before going back to work. It works. What can’t you stand in actors? This is a funny one, since I’ve been on both sides, and I do love actors but I’ll say actors who insist on a different interpretation than the director.

What are your hopes for Nollywood in 2014? I hope the industry keeps on growing stronger as it has been in recent years. There’s a lot of wonderful talent here in Nigeria and I know the industry will really bloom once there is a proper system and capacity structures in place. It’s getting there gradually. Share with us any current or upcoming projects that you are involved in. I’m currently working on a short and a feature. The short film deals with another social ill of our society and the feature is a thriller that I’m really excited about. Other than that I’ve been focusing on my acting career as it’s been on the back burner for a while. You can catch me in Tinsel.

Who is your favourite actress? I’m going to have to say Liz Ameye. I have been a fan of hers since Fortunes and I’m just so glad I got to work with her. On the international scene, I have a thing for Viola Davis. I think she’s one of the strongest INTERVIEW: ISABELLA AKINSEYE black actresses out there. PHOTO: COURTESY OF UDOKA OYEKA If you were not a director, what would you be doing? If I wasn’t in the film industry, I would be into the music scene, most likely as an instrumentalist or a producer. If that didn’t work out, I would have loved to be a Formula 1 driver. Who are your role models? My parents. What does family mean to you? Family is everything to me. They are the only ones that can’t run away when things go wrong so I cherish and love my family. What is your favourite sports team? Dallas Mavericks and the Dallas Cowboys. How would you like to be remembered? As someone who followed his dream passionately and made good films that people enjoyed.

ly ones on e th e ar ey Th e. m to g n hi yt er “Family is ev wrong” go gs in th n he w ay aw n ru ’t n that ca

Nollywood Studies Centre

Theme:

Distribution in the

Film

Nigerian Industry

Date: 26 – 27 June, 2014

Venue: School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, Nigeria.

istribution is a key and unavoidable meeting point between the production and consumption of films. As a mediating process, it is also considered to be a site of power, given its control over what is seen by the consumer and the profit that accrues to the producer. Distribution is widely recognised as a major problem of the Nigerian film industry. The industry, for the greater part of its existence, has not had a formal film distribution structure, and the filmmakers have largely depended on an informal distribution system. This informal system has been successful in its ability to make the Nigerian film extensively known as a cultural product while enriching many people in the process. But the informality of the structure has also led to financial loss for many others – no thanks to the reality of piracy. Also, the level of success that the industry has attained cannot be sustained, or augmented, unless its distribution network is improved. There are various initiatives towards establishing an improved system of distribution, and theatrical and online distribution now present attractive and available options. However, various challenges exist in terms of establishing the required structural, regulatory and policy frameworks. The lack of funding also remains an unresolved question. The proposed conference, organised by the Nollywood Studies Centre of the School of Media and Communication, is aimed at studying these issues. It is intended that the conference will create a forum at which the industry practitioners, academics, financiers and government officials will come together not only to discuss the key issues but, more importantly, to put forward workable solutions.

Possible topics for the conference include, but are not limited, to the following: International availability and circulation of Nigerian video films International sales agents and the cross border distribution of the Nigerian video film The creation of specialised distribution companies The role of film festivals in promoting distribution The economics and funding of distribution The continued economic viability of straight-to-video filmmaking The viability of alternative/informal modes of distribution The feasibility of online distribution in the Nigerian market Theatrical distribution as one characteristic of the touted ‘new Nollywood’ Piracy The legal framework for defending intellectual property rights both nationally and internationally The mediating role of distribution The distribution framework of the National Video Film and Censors Board The regulation of distribution through state policy Distribution networks and the political economy of consumption patterns Contributors should send in a 250-300 word abstract or panel proposal with their biographical details (full name, institutional affiliation, e-mail address and telephone numbers) on or before 30 April, 2014. Notification on acceptance will be sent by 10 May, 2014. The subject of the mail should be Conference on Distribution 2014, and the mail should be addressed to: Chioma Anokwuru - canokwuru@smc.edu.ng. and Tope Falade - tfalade@smc.edu.ng. For further enquiries please visit www.smc.edu.ng/filmdistributionconference.

School of Media and Communication (SMC), Pan-Atlantic University, 2 Ahmed Onibudo Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. Telephone: 01-4616170-2; 2711617-20 ext 2048.