Opinion
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Mami Wata: In Praise Of C.J Obasi
First Published On August 2023 It is fair to say that in the vast realm of African cinema, C.J Obasi has emerged not merely as a Nigerian filmmaker but as a torchbearer of the continent’s storytelling legacy. His latest film, Mami Wata, serves as a striking example of a commitment to preserving and enriching African…
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An Invitation to the Fourth Wave of Nigerian Cinema
First Published On MAY 19, 2022 Since its inception, Nollywood’s image has been embodied by splashy melodrama and vibrant exploitation flicks. But a closer look into the Nollywood expansion into global relevance reveals a new wave on the horizon, one brimming with new possibilities as it questions the choices of old. Below, I expand on…
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What Yemi Amodu’s Owo Eje teaches us about Storytelling
First Published On FEBRUARY 7, 2020 It’s common knowledge that the whodunit-mystery genre is undergoing a low-key revival on big screens lately. First there was Kenneth Branagh’s Murder On the Orient Express (2017) followed by Kyle Newacheck’s Murder Mystery (2019) on Netflix, Rian Johnson’s critically acclaimed crowd pleaser Knives out (2019) and a forthcoming Death…
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What Dare Olaitan’s Ojukokoro can teach you about Storytelling
First Published On FEBRUARY 4, 2020 Ojukokoro, released in 2017, is an intricately plotted film with a lot of genius. Let’s take a closer look at it and take some lessons from it. 1. Resource Storytelling Dare Olaitan, the writer director, says he wrote Ojukokoro around the resources he already had: a prop gun, a…
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Five Filmmaking Lessons from Confusion Na Wa
First Published On MARCH 27, 2021 Confusion Na Wa was a blast of fresh air in the Nigerian cinema experience, packing valuable lessons for filmmakers. The critically acclaimed film is some sort of landmark in the young industry, following efforts like Kunle Afọlayan’s “The Figurine”, Chineze Anyaene’s “Ije” and Mahmoud Balogun’s “Tango With Me” in…
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A Love Letter to Daniel Oriahi’s Sylvia: On Creating Moments, by Damola Layonu
First Published On AUGUST 14, 2020 I recently watched an analysis of Zack Snyder’s work which broke down some of its arguable inadequacies, most prominently displayed in the box office behemoth: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Video essayist, Evan Puschak, who runs the delightfully illuminating YouTube channel, Nerdwriter, simplified it by criticizing the director’s…
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A Love Letter to Genevieve Nnaji’s Lionheart by Damola Layonu
First Published On JULY 27, 2020 Genevieve Nnaji’s Lionheart first made waves when it was announced as a Netflix Nigerian original, and naturally, there were differing opinions on its quality and whether it deserved to be so courted. This debate intensified when it became Nigeria’s first ever submission for the Oscars’ Best International Film category,…
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Covid 19 and Nollywood
First Published On APRIL 24, 2020 The Nigerian film industry is facing a serious financial shock with cinemas shut and productions halted. I consider some of the implications of the COVID- 19 pandemic on Nollywood Cinema Releases With cinemas closed, the Nigerian cinema industry is likely to lose about 2.1 billion naira in ticket sales…
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Opinion: Three Things Bling Lagosians Could Have Done Better by David Osarieme
First Published On MARCH 31, 2020 “As each member of the Holloway family work to solve their problems, they prepare for Mopelola’s party, clearly to become the year’s biggest society event. But the buzz about the party compels the Asset Management Corporation to foreclose on ST. IVES, the family business, after the death of His…
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Is there Really A Nollywood Post Parasite Discussion?
First Published On FEBRUARY 20, 2020 Measuring the success of “Parasite” from Korean auteur Bong Joon Ho is a task that will continue for ages. Made for a relatively low Budget of 11 million dollars, it is the latest success story of the foreign language film like Enter The Dragon, Pan’s Labyrinth, Amelie, Crouching Tiger…