Entertainment
Nollywood Movies Find Expression In Cinemas
Cinema is a growing business in Nigeria till the collapse of cinema culture in the 90s. Before then, the country had a strong and vibrant cinema culture, but it all started to dwindle from the late ’80s, thanks to piracy and the high production cost. The fall of cinema led to the rise of the home video in the 90s and by extension, Nollywood film makers found home videos too restrictive in theme and creativity. Cinema came back to Nigeria (Lagos really) when Ben Murray Bruce, opened Silverbird Cinema in Victoria Island, Nigeria could now watch the latest Hollywood blockbusters in HO quality.
Nigerians started going back to the cinemas, but it did little or nothing to the local movie ecosystem as Nigerians preferred and trusted the big Hollywood movies to local movies.
All that have changed now, the big movies in the cinemas are Nollywood films which are locally produced. The 2016 hit.
“The Wedding Party” is set to hit the N450 million mark soon in box office sales. Comedian and movie producer Ayo Makun (AY) has produced two movies that have shattered the Box Office and are considered local block busters.
The 2017 comedy, “Banana Island Ghost” is tipped to hit N100 million, maybe N200 million by industry experts.
The boom in Nollywood movies shown in the cinemas is a welcome development but not for all. The top grossing Nigerian movies belong to the comedy genre, other genre of movies hardly make money, are flops or are not even considered worthy to be put on screen.
Moves outside the comedy genre such as ‘Arbitration’ did low numbers and movie distributors are hesitant to pick such films.
Today, Nollywood is pretty much like the music industry. Mainstream Nigerian artistes have stuck to one sound (the new trend is known as pon pon music), in Nollywood, everybody wants to shoot comedy. This trend even though it has produced big bucks is alienating other creatives in the industry.
However, the Nigerian movie industry is expected to generate 40% of the five billion naira that would be made at the Nigerian Box Office by the end of 2017. According to the Group Executive Director / CEO film One, Moses Babatope, the quality of Nollywood films are improving and so are the audience. “Of the five billion naira that would be made in Box Office sales this year and that’s about five million tickets. The Nigerian film will gross two billion and that’s about 40 percent of the bos office” , he said at the premiere of “My Wife and I” on Sunday.
“Three or four years ago, that figure was about 10% of the Box Office and less than 500 million. This is just to tell you that the quality of the films are improving and the number of the audience is improving”, he added.
So far the reported success of movies like “Isoken,” Okafor’s law,”10 Days in Sun City” “Alakada Reloaded” and “Hire A Man” will play a role in setting this new record. Movies currently showing in the cinemas include “Hakkunde” and Banana Island Ghost”. Upcoming movies that are expected to do well include Mentally”, “Tatu”, “My Wife and I” among others. There is also the anticipated sequel to the Wedding party” which is expected to surpass the 400 million naira record set by its prequel. In 2016 with movies like “fifty” “The CEO” ‘Wives on Strike’, ‘76’ and ‘A Trip to Jamaica’ grossed one billion naira, below are the 10 highest grossing Nollywood movies of all time.
“The Wedding Party” N450 million the 2016 movie is a collaboration between Ebonylife films, Film One, Inkblot production, Koga Studios and is directed by Kemi Adetiba.
“A Trip To Jamaica”, N178.5 million. Written and produced by AY Makun. The movie was directed by Robert Peters and starrs Funke Akindele, Chris Attoh, Nse Ikpe Etim among others.
“30 days in Atlanta”, N137.2 million written and produced by AY Makun, the movie was directed by Robert Peters and Stars Richard Mofe Damijo Ramsey Nouah, Mercy Johnson and Vivica Fox among others.
“Fifty”, N94 million, An Ebonylife films production directed by Biyi Bandele, produced by Tope Oshin and features Omoni Oboli, Ireti Doyle, Dakore Egbuson – Akende, Nse Ikpe Etim, among others.
“76”: this historical drama stars Ramsey Nouah, Rita Dominic, Chidi Mokeme and Daniel K. Daniel, produced by Adonis productions and directed by Izu Chukwu.
‘Wives on strike’, N713 million naira, produced and directed by Omoni Oboli, the movie stars Uche Junmbo, Chioma Chukwuka, Ufuoma Mc Dermott, Kehinde Bankole among others.
“Half of a yellow sun”: N60 million naira, Directed by Biyi Bandele, the movies features Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandle Newton, Onyeka onwenu, Genevieve Nnaji, John Boyega among others.
October 1st: N60 million, A Kunle Afolanya movie featuring sading Daba, Kayode Olaiya, David Bailie, Kehinde Bakonle, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Fabian Adeoye Lojede, Nick Rhys, Kunle Afolayan, Femi Adebayo, Bimbo Manuel, Ibrahim Chatta and Demola Adedoyin.
“The ‘CEO” N60 million: Another Afolayan movie the CEO stars Wale Ojo, Lala Akindoju, Angeligue Kidjo, Aurelie Sliam, Hilda Dokubo, Jimmy Jean Louis, Peter King and Nico Panagio among others.
“IJE” N59.8 million: Directed by Chineze Ayaene. The movie stars Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade among others. Other hit movies on this list of 15 include ‘Last flight to Abuja’ N57.5 million. “It’s Her Day” N55 million, ‘the return of Jenifa’ N35 million’, “93 days” N50 million, Ghana must go N32 million’.
Entertainment
BBNaija Season Nine: ‘Dynamic Duos’ Auditions Begin
The organisers of the Big Brother Naija( BBNaija) have announced that season nine of the reality TV show started accepting applications last Wednesday.
Biggie is back for BBNaija Season 9 auditions with a twist! The audition requires two people. “This year, it is a search for Dynamic Duos that love the show and can turn up the heat in Biggie’s house,” the announcement said.
This new twist to application videos, which used to be a single person in the video, candidates will have to apply in pairs. This means that the audition video will feature two candidates each.
Make and upload a three-minute video telling Big Brother why both of you should be in the Big Brother’s House together.
The video can be recorded together or separate, but must be a single video.
You have to audition together.
In the video describe yourselves and where you are from.
Also talk about your personalities, your favourite things, likes, dislikes, unique things about both of you and how it may help you do well on Big Brother Naija Season 9.
Stay natural, do not force it, keep it fun!
Audition is free and has opened on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at 8:00pm.
Application is only open to people who are 21 or older with a valid means of identification.
Entertainment
Onyeka Onwenu’s Film To Chronicle Her Music Journey
Renowned Nigerian musician, Onyeka Onwenu, says she is working on producing a film that will delve into her experiences which span decades within the music industry.
Onwenu disclosed this in an interview with the Newsmen, on Tuesday with a career that stretches back to the 1970s, the “elegant stallion” expressed her eagerness to share her firsthand account of the evolution of Nigerian music.
”I am currently working on a film that will chronicle my experiences in the music industry from the 70s to the present day. Having been a part of this narrative for decades, I have a wealth of stories to share,” she said.
In addition to the film project, Onwenu discussed her efforts to release her classic songs through collaboration with emerging artistes, promising fans a compilation of rebranded tracks later in the year.
“I am rebranding my old songs and collaborating with new talents. My aim is to offer listeners a fresh perspective on timeless classics,” she explained.
Onwenu’s creative pursuits extend beyond the realm of music, as she recently released a single, titled Abu Otito (Songs of Praise) and dedicated proceeds from its streaming to support widows through the Rose of Sharon Foundation.
“I am passionate about using music to address social issues. From supporting widows to promoting education among rural children, I strive to make a positive impact through my art.”
Reflecting on her philanthropic endeavours, Onwenu shared her commitment to providing educational opportunities for underprivileged children in Abia and disclosed the plan to expand her initiatives to Imo.
“We not only pay school fees directly to schools but also offer civic education to instill a sense of cultural identity. These efforts represent my dedication to empowering future generations,” the musician noted.
Offering advice to fellow artistes amidst economic challenges, Onwenu emphasised the importance of resilience and self-initiative.
“Hang in there and create opportunities for yourselves,” she urged, highlighting the need for proactive approaches in navigating the ever-evolving music industry landscape.
Onwenu’s multifaceted contributions to music and society underscore her enduring legacy as a trailblazing artiste and philanthropist, inspiring generations to come.
“I have been part of the story right from time, and I am still moving forward, so I have a lot of stories to tell,” she remarked.
The Tide Entertainment reports that aside from the cinematic venture, Onwenu unveiled plans to breathe new life into her classic hits by collaborating with contemporary artistes. According to her, she aims to compile a collection of rebranded songs, promising Nigerian audiences an eagerly anticipated release later in the year..
Onwenu has used her music and its timeless messages to promote Nigeria’s culture. Her music duet with King Sunny Ade, titled Wait for Me, has remained evergreen. It is remembered always as a song with deep lyrical message which was put together to help the government of that era fight seriously against the outburst of population explosion while also regulating it with the different family planning programmes put together by the government.
Her song, African Woman, helped greatly in projecting the innate exquisiteness of the African woman giving them a sense of pride and belonging amidst poverty, widowhood, rape, lack of care, hatred, humiliation, abandonment, among others.
Her evergreen classic, Sodom and Gomorrah, is a biblical narrative of the popular story of the city of Sodom and Gomorrah, a city destroyed by God due to their heedlessness and high level of immorality.
Some of her other evergreen songs include Iyogogo, One Love, Dancing in the Sun, and Choices, among others.
Entertainment
Osita Iheme Reacts To Pawpaw Memes
Legendary Nollywood actor, Osita Iheme, fondly known as Pawpaw, has revealed that he is happy with the way his memes are used on social media as a means of expression.
In a recent interview with newsmen, the actor expressed pleasure with the use of the clips from his films, stating that it shows his old films still have value.
“It’s good to see that your works are doing well out there and people are appreciating what you are doing,” he said.
“Even though it has been so many years, people are still valuing it years later. It’s good and it shows that you have an asset that you can always back up and bank with. Because when you look at 20 years ago, the works you’ve done and you see that people are using it to express themselves, you’d feel happy. I feel happy,” he continued.
The Tide Entertainment reports that over the past few years, hilarious stickers and memes of the star from his old films have been used widely across social media platforms to add a comic flair to conversations. His funny memes were not only used by Nigerians, but also in foreign media, especially during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown era.
It is worthy of note that Iheme is one half of the dynamic Aki and Paw Paw duo, the other half being his partner-in-crime, Chinedu Ikedieze.
The pair starred in numerous movies in their prime like ‘Aki Na Ukwa’, Village Rats, and Double Wahala, amongst many other iconic films.
More than 20 years later, they have remained Nollywood household names, hilarious memes, and pop culture icons.
-
Oil & Energy4 days ago
Nigeria Hosts Global Confab On Oilfield Sustainability, Hydrocarbon Accounting
-
Sports4 days ago
Iheanacho, Dessers Applaud Finidi’s Tactics
-
Rivers4 days ago
Group Begins Massive Support Drive For Fubara
-
News2 days ago
Reps Member Pledges Support, Loyalty To Fubara, Joins SIMplified Movement
-
Women8 hours ago
What Women Want In Yet-To -Be Husbands
-
News3 hours ago
Tinubu Leads 31-Team To Revive Nigeria’s Economy
-
Sports2 hours ago
‘I’m Not Under Pressure To Coach Eagles’
-
Maritime4 days ago
Illegal Migration: NIS, NIWA Move To Strengthen Partnership