Entertainment

Funke Akindele Tasks Nollywood Producers On Moral Lesson

Published

7 years ago

September 2, 2016

Nollywood has come a
long way. Gone are the days where bad equipment and generally bad movies with good moral lessons were the norm, but in recent times, film makers make use of good equipment, better actors but zero moral lessons. This needs to change.
Funke Akindele’s movie Jenifa, helped in educating young ladies about the dangers involved in prostitution. Funke Akindele is one of Nigeria’s most loved actresses. In fact, her most loved role was in the movie ‘Jenifa’. Even though the film was released in 2009, Funke has still been able to use that character to keep her brand name alive hence the introduction of the Adventures of Jenifa TV series.
The original movie tells the story of Suliat, a young ‘Village Girl’ who moves to the city to enroll in university with great expectations. At university, she is ridiculed for her style (or lack-there-of), her accent and manner of speaking then, she meets a group of ‘runs girls’ things begin to change and Suliat is transformed to Jenifa.
When this movie was released initially in 2008, it didn’t catch on until girls all over Nigeria started speaking like the character and also using her slangs and her mannerisms. It was then parents and guardians took notice and made efforts to see the film. I remember speaking to one of such parents who saw the film at the time of its release, she commented that she was going to make sure her kids especially her daughters and their friends saw this film.
I asked why because at that time, there had been countless numbers of films with the same storyline, she replied again that what made Jenifa different was the fact that even though she did not understand Yoruba, the fact that the film was set in what could be called a modern university setting made it the best tool to use in teaching her daughters about the dangers in chasing ‘aristos’ all around campus. And it worked. The movie Jenifa probably helped in educating young girls and boys getting into university about the danger of prostitution and other vices than any sermon, message or beating could ever do.
Another example is the Wale Adenuga created super-story series ‘Itohan’. The series which ran in 2013 revolved around a young lady. Itohan, who wanted to travel to Europe through an illegal route with genuine aspirations to be a footballer in Europe but was deceived by a gang of men who intended to sell her and other young ladies to a notorious prostitution ring once they got there. This series also did a lot to warn young ladies about the threat of human trafficking and dangers involved in travelling via illegal routes.
These days, Nollywood producers are more concerned in shooting films that hold no moral value whatsoever. Admittedly, they are shooting with better equipment and the actors are really stepping up but as Africans, it is important that our filmmakers imbibe our culture, our dos and don’ts into our films and other entertainment portals because just like Jenifa has proven, societal vices can be combacted via movie.
There is little parents can do when it comes to censoring what their kids watch in this age of smartphones and cheap internet. I understand the fact that lewdness and sex is what sells but who says a movie about a lady or guy who keeps his/her virginity till her wedding night won’t sell? It all depends on how the film is made and marketed. Enough of this excuse that ‘this is what the market wants’. You feed the market, you can change the narrative. I really hope our filmmakers pay attention and do better.

Entertainment

Nigeria’s Box Office Generates N278m In February

Published

4 days ago

March 17, 2023

The Tide

The Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) on Tuesday said it realised N278 million as ticket sales across cinemas in the month of February, nationwide.
CEAN’s National Chairman, Mr Ope Ajayi, who, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Lagos, added that the cinemas also had 122,295 gross admission within the period under review.
Cinemas experienced a drastic decline in sales in February when compared with N819 million sales made in January.
Ajayi blamed the cash crunch and poor network service delivery being experienced by POS operators nationwide for the decline in sales.
He similarly noted that cinemas experienced an all time lull in the week of the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
He explained further that cinemas had limited content to exhibit in the month of February, as movie producers avoided releasing movies during the election period.
“A couple of reasons are responsible for the drop in sales. We lost a weekend of sales during the Presidential and National Assembly elections, Nigerians’ attention was focused on voting across the country.
“Cash crunch and POS failures, affecting trading generally is also affecting the cinemas.
“Many movie producers and distributors avoided releasing movies during the election period. So, content was also somewhat limited,” he said.
Ajayi said the top films exhibited in cinemas across the country in February were “Antman” and “Love in a Pandemic”.
He listed films to watch out for in the month of March as : “Creed III”, “What Love Got To Do With It”, “Shazam Fury of the gods”, “John Wick iv”, “Different Strokes” and “Dungeons and Dragons83”.

Entertainment

Nollywood Actress Urges Ladies To Desist From Dating Married Men

Published

4 days ago

March 17, 2023

The Tide

Nollywood actress, Halima Abubakar, has urged ladies to desist from dating married men, saying leaving a quality life of being responsible with good moral virtues is the best life.
The renowned movie star, who took to her Instagram page to give the advice, said that ladies should not make the same mistake she made by dating someone else’s husband.
According to her, being a side chick to married men is morally wrong, but staying away from people’s husband’s is a moral upright living.
She stressed that she did not want them to experience what she went through, therefore, relationship with married men should be avoided.
She expressed gratitude to fans and well wishers, for their constant prayers, love and encouragement, adding that they should live a life they would be proud of.
The actress added that having a side business was far better than being a side chick, and urged them to leave people’s husbands alone.
“Live a life you would be proud of.
“Thank you all for all the prayers and encouragement and love .
“I am on a new parth to a new life; strive to be new and stay safe and morally upright.
“No do side chick o…see u soon. Find a side business and leave people’s husband.
“ Don’t make the mistake I made…The idea is to be morally right, “ she wrote.
Abubakar is a model, actress, television personality, philanthropist and multiple award-winning member of the Nollywood industry.
She rose to fame after the release of her debut film ‘Sabotage’ In 2011. She won the Afro Hollywood Best Actress prize.
The actress started auditioning for movie roles in 2001. After some time, she was given her first acting gig, a small part in the movie ‘Rejected’
It was, however, a small role that enabled her to land her first important role and ultimately her breakthrough in the movie ‘Gangster Paradise.’
The movie star has acted in more than a 100 movies. some of which are: ‘Slip of Fate’, ‘Tears of a Child’, ‘Secret Shadows’, ‘Gangster Paradise’, ‘Area Mama’, ‘Men in Love’, ‘Love Castle’, ‘Okafor’s Law’, among others.
She is also a movie producer and runs Morehouse Entertainment, a label and talent management business in the music industry.
The Kano-born actress established the Halima Abubakar Foundation, an NGO that aids the poor.
The actress has contributed immensely to the growth and development of the entertainment industry, thereby making her outstanding.

Entertainment

UEFA Champions League Final : Burna Boy Set To Perform

Published

4 days ago

March 17, 2023

The Tide

Nigerian megastar, Burna Boy, has been announced as one of the headliners who will be performing at the 2023 UEFA Champions League final.
UEFA has revealed Burna Boy as one of the performers at the 2023 Champions League Final. The announcement was made via the Champions League official Twitter handle on Thursday, 16th March 2023.
Music Burna Boy, Tems, Patoranking, Shatta Wale nominated for International Reggae & World Music Awards 2023
In the video posted on Twitter, a delighted Burna Boy revealed that he will be performing at the Champions League final billed for Istanbul, Turkey.
In what is a remarkable feat, Burna Boy will become the first Nigerian artiste to perform on the biggest stage of European Club football.
Since gaining international success in 2018 through his hit single ‘YE,’ Burna Boy has become one of the biggest artistes in the world. He has earned a Grammy award for his album ‘Twice As Tall’ while becoming one of the most awarded artistes on the continent.
The Tide Entertainment reports that Burna Boy has sold out choice arenas around the world as his music continues to attract international listeners.
American DJ, artiste, and Producer, Marshmallow, performed at the 2021 Champions League final in Portugal while Cuban Pop star, Camila Cabello, performed at the 2022 edition in Paris.
The 2023 Champions League Final will take place on 10th June 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey and Afrobeats will share the stage as two of the finest clubs in Europe compete for the biggest price.