iLove Nollywood Movies

I used to be one of those girls that HATED Nollywood Movies.

Years ago, when you watched a Nollywood movie, you would literally feel like you have wasted 6 hours of your life that you will never get back! You either saw something fetish or strange. Sometimes the soundtrack to the movie was so loud you could barely hear the actors talk. For most movies that "touched the heart", you  will spend 30 minutes or more watching a character strolling through a park and crying about how life is so hard or how heart broken they are. I remember quite vividly hearing Celine Dion singing "my heart will go on" during some of those strolls. In some movies, you can watch someone eat their pounded yam and egusi from the beginning to end. Or remember every time you watched an action movie? Those were so lame. The sound of a gun going off used to irritate me (pop, pow, pop), like its popcorn. Whenever my husband turned it on, it felt like he was punishing me to watch something I was so disinterested in. But it was his "thing", so I had to grudgingly embrace it.

10 years on, as an industry, Nollywood has matured in leaps and bounds. Now, instead of a 6hour movie (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6), the movies have now been reduced to 4 hours (Part 1 (a) (b) and Part 2 (a) (b)). Now, you can watch a big budget movie that only lasts 1hr 30mins. That alone, is a big improvement. All the gimmicks, over-acting and improvisations have been removed. The script is well delivered. Sharp and largely to the point. We still watch movies that last for 4 hours, but rather than the long walks in the park, the story is more dense and in-depth. We still get the odd camera man's shadow in the movie or the microphone dropping into the final product, but I must admit, it has improved over the years. The quality of the actors acting is better. The quality of the post-production is better. Right down to their storylines. I have loved watching movies like Ije, Last Flight to Abuja, Mr and Mrs, Figurine, The Mirror Boy etc. I remember falling in love with Nollywood, every time I watched Ukwa (aka Osuofia) real name Nkem Owoh. After a long day, its refreshing to come home and watch some light entertainment comedy. He was and is simply the best. I'm always in stitches when I watch him. His facial expressions alone send me into a frenzy. We love watching him at home.

 Nollywood is still an industry that highlights the lives of Nigerians and that is why it is so relatable. People connect to the stories because maybe you know someone who is going through the same situation. Sometimes, Nollywood movies act as an eye opener, so you see what is actually going on in Nigeria. It also serves as a comfort for those of us in the diaspora who miss home. Maybe if we were living in Nigeria, we wouldn't be so excited coming home to watch a Nollywood movie. We love the fact that with every movie, regardless of the twists and turns, the trials and tribulations, good ALWAYS prevails over evil. The winners are usually the people who encountered the worst crises, yet they conquered in the end. Sometimes at work, aside from looking forward to seeing my kids, I look forward to watching the conclusion of a movie I started yesterday. Nollywood, is now a part of my DNA, all thanks to my husband, Mr O.

Another person we ADORE is Mercy Johnson. Say what you want about her, but she is a skilled actress. She makes any role believable. She is by far, my favourite actress. She is naturally gifted with her talent. Sometimes you just want to enter into the television and give her a massive hug. She has perfected her skills over the years. A few months ago, I watched her first movie the Maid, and oh my goodness, how much she has grown and developed. Even then, you could see her potential and star status. She is so underrated. I guess that is why she won the best actress award for her role in Dumebi The Dirty Girl at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. She can take any script, interpret the character to the best of her ability and delivers. Every time. I honestly look forward to watching her on screen.

Yesterday we watched "The Victims" and "Slave of Destiny" - the conclusion. Other notable actors in this movie among many were Mike Ezuruonye, Ngozi Ezeonu and Olu Jacobs. My husband and I were gripped from the beginning to the end. Mercy (as we fondly call her) never disappoints.

Lets all try to support Nollywood Movies as much as we can. Its "our thing"!

Be Inspired!

xoxo