Nollywood
This article is part of a series in |
Culture of Nigeria |
---|
Nollywood, a
Etymology
The origin of the term "Nollywood" remains unclear; Jonathan Haynes traced the earliest usage of the word to a 2002 article by Matt Steinglass in
Definition of which films are considered Nollywood has always been a subject of debate. Alex Eyengho defined Nollywood as "the totality of activities taking place in the Nigerian film industry, be it in English,
Over the years the term Nollywood has also been used to refer to other affiliate film industries, such as the Ghanaian English-language cinema, whose films are usually co-produced with Nigeria and/or distributed by Nigerian companies. The term has also been used for Nigerian/African diaspora films considered to be affiliated with Nigeria or made specifically to capture the Nigerian audience.[2][3] There is no clear definition on how "Nigerian" a film has to be in order to be referred to as Nollywood.
Some stakeholders have constantly expressed their disagreement over the term; giving reasons such as the fact that the term was coined by a foreigner, as such being another form of imperialism. It has also been argued that the term is an imitation of what was already in existence (Hollywood) rather than an identity in itself that is original and uniquely African.[8]
Sub-industries
Nigerian cinema
This section needs expansion with: the other regional (Igbo, etc) film industries and the general English-language cinema. You can help by adding to it. (August 2015) |
Film-making in Nigeria is divided largely along regional, and marginally
Although the Igbo language film Living in Bondage by Kenneth Nnebue was the first massive nationwide hit of the videotape era,[10] most Igbo film makers prefer to make their movies in English. This leads to the paradox where some of the most popular and beloved actors in Nollywood like Patience Ozokwor (Mama G), Chinedu Ikedieze and Osita Iheme (Aki and Pawpaw), Nkem Owoh (Osuofia), John Okafor (Mr. Ibu), Pete Edochie, Kanayo O. Kanayo are ethnically Igbo, but have mostly acted in English language movies. These actors occasionally sprinkle their movies with Igbo aphorisms and expressions (e.g. 'Chineke!', 'Tufiakwa!') but the vast majority of the dialogue is in English.
The
The
The
Ghanaian English-language cinema
Over the years the term Nollywood has also been used to refer to other affiliate film industries, such as the
Nollywood USA
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2017) |
Nollywood USA is a broad term, that is used to refer to Nigerian films made in the diaspora. Although they are popularly called Nollywood USA, these movies can be shot in any non-African country. These films are typically made by Nigerian filmmakers living in the diaspora and they are typically made for the Nigerian audience.[15][16] Like the "Nollywood" term, the definition of "Nollywood USA" is vague.
Nollywood USA movies typically tell Nigerian stories, and they usually star established Nollywood actors, alongside upcoming Nigerian/African actors living in the diaspora.[17][18] The movies usually have their premieres in Nigeria and they also sometimes secure national theatrical release like the regular Nollywood movies.[citation needed]
Nollywood at 20 controversy
In 2012, it was announced that Nollywood would be celebrating its 20-year anniversary. This year marked the 20th year after the release of direct-to-video movie Living in Bondage (1992), which arguably marked the boom in the video film era. The anniversary was eventually celebrated in June 2013.[9][19][20]
The event was later revealed to be a decision of a segment of the industry and not a unanimously agreed event; the event was organized by Association of Movie Producers (AMP), an association consisting of producers of video films.[9][19][20] Since announcement of the "Nollywood @ 20" event in 2012 until its celebration in 2013, the event had sparked controversies from many stakeholders; most of whom believed the industry was much older than 20 years. Since Nollywood has been a term for the entire Nigerian film industry, it was argued that Living in Bondage cannot be used to celebrate the Nigerian film industry, stating that the film wasn't, in fact, the first Nigerian video film, neither was it the first "successful" video film,[21] much less the first Nigerian film.[22]
This controversial celebration also gave rise to reports that another segment of the industry, the "Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP)" are planning to rename the industry into another term which would encompass the entire history of Nigerian film industry, since the term Nollywood has allegedly become ethnically dichotomized.[20][23] While it was argued by supporters of the event that it was the "Nollywood brand" that was being celebrated and not the industry, counter-arguments were made that the term "Nollywood" came into existence only in the 2000s, so explanations were needed on how the "Nollywood Brand" could be extended to the year 1992 which isn't specifically significant in any way, and why not just to the very first Nigerian film that was made.[24][25][26]
Alex Eyengho had noted in a 2012 article that the term "Nollywood" was absent during the formative years of both the
Several filmmakers and stakeholders expressed their displeasure with the supposed false celebration; Kunle Afolayan commented: "The whole idea of Nollywood at 20 does not make sense to me because the Nollywood that I know is more than 20 years. I remember my father shot a film about 37 years ago and I also grew up in the industry. As far as (I) am concerned, it's absolute crap".[9] In another interview, he stated: "If Nollywood is the name that people decide to call the movie industry in Nigeria, then I am part of it. If Nollywood is what they say is 20 years, then I am not part of that Nollywood because I have been doing film business for more than 30 years now".[28] Jide Kosoko also commented: "The Nigerian movie industry as far as I'm concerned is not 20 years. If we all truly belong to the same industry, then the industry I belong to is not 20 years. There is a need to tell the world the sincere story of our industry and don't rubbish the pioneers. As far as I am concerned, what they are celebrating is Living in Bondage and not Nollywood".[9] Tunde Kelani stated: "how will Nollywood be celebrating 20 years and I am over 40 years in the industry?".[27]
President of Actors Guild of Nigeria at the time, Ibinabo Fiberesima, admitted that Nollywood is more than 20, but gave what was considered an unconvincing statement on the reason behind the event, stating: "It's about celebrating our own even though Nollywood is more than 20 years. It's been long that people have been celebrating us but right now, we are celebrating ourselves and giving lots back to the society. It's a good step we have taken especially now that the qualities of our movies have improved".[9]
See also
- Media in Nigeria
- Cinema of Africa
- Cinema of Egypt
References
- ^ "Facts About Nigerian Movies and History". Total Facts about Nigeria. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
- ^ a b c Onikeku, Qudus. "Nollywood: The Influence of the Nigerian Movie Industry on African Culture". Academia. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
- ^ a b c Onuzulike, Uchenna (2007). "Nollywood: The Influence of the Nigerian Movie Industry on African Culture". Nollywood Journal. Archived from the original on 31 January 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
- ^ Igwe, Charles (6 November 2015). "How Nollywood became the second largest film industry". BritichCouncil.com.
- ^ Onishi, Norimitsu (16 September 2002). "Step Aside, L.A. and Bombay, for Nollywood". New York Times.
- ^ "History of Nollywood". Nificon. Archived from the original on 26 March 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
- ^ a b c Ayengho, Alex (23 June 2012). "INSIDE NOLLYWOOD: What is Nollywood?". E24-7 Magazine. NovoMag. Archived from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
- ^ a b ""Nollywood": What's in a Name?". Nigeria Village Square. 3 July 2005. Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Apara, Seun (22 September 2013). "Nollywood at 20: Half Baked Idea". 360Nobs.com. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ^ Onishi, Norimitsu (16 September 2002), "Step Aside, L.A. and Bombay, for Nollywood", The New York Times, retrieved 21 September 2023
- ^ a b "Yoruba Movies | Yoruba Films". Yoruba Movies. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
- ^ Sheme, Ibrahim. "Bahaushe Mai Ban Haushi". Ibrahimsheme.blogspot.com. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
- ^ Gana, Babagana M. (1 June 2012). "Hausa-English code-switching in Kanywood Films". International Journal of Linguistics. Archived from the original on 16 February 2013.
- ^ "Nollywood: Lights, camera, Africa". The Economist. 16 December 2010. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ^ "Nollywood Producers Guild USA Kick off Film Production With Arrival of Annie Macaulay Idibia".
- ^ "Nollywood USA emerging". 8 June 2013.
- ^ Brown, DeNeen (23 May 2013). "Nollywood USA: African Movie Makers Expand Filming to D.C. Area". The Washington Post.
- ^ "Stolen, a Nollywood-USA movie by Robert Peters". Archived from the original on 4 July 2012.
- ^ a b Husseini, Shaibu. "A YEAR OF MIXED FORTUNES FOR NOLLYWOOD". Ehizoya Films. Ehizoya Golden Entertainment. Archived from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
- ^ a b c Olamide (31 December 2013). "Group Wants 'Nollywood' Renamed to 'Naiwood'". yabaleftonline.com. Archived from the original on 27 January 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
- ^ Ekeanyanwu, Nnamdi Tobechukwu. "Nollywood, New Communication Technologies and Indigenous Cultures in a Globalized World: The NigerianDilemma". Covenant University. Department of Mass Communication, College of Human Development. Retrieved 20 February 2015.[dead link]
- ^ a b Angelo, Mike (30 November 2013). "Nollywood At 20: Organisers' Flaws… Top Names Erased From Award List". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ^ Tolu (1 January 2014). "Why 'Nollywood' Has to be Renamed to 'Naiwood'". Information Nigeria. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
- ^ Bada, Gbenga. "Hon. Rotimi Makinde sparks off controversy over Nollywood @ 20 celebrations". MOMO. Movie Moments. Archived from the original on 1 January 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
- ^ McCain, Carmen (30 July 2011). "NOLLYWOOD AND ITS TERMINOLOGY MIGRAINES". NigeriaFilms.com. Archived from the original on 6 September 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ^ "Nollywood New releases in 2021".
- ^ a b Oyeniya, Adegboyega (8 November 2013). "Nollywood at 20?". The Punch Newspaper. The Punch NG. Archived from the original on 8 November 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ^ "Nigeria: October 1 Will Open New Chapter in My Life - Kunle Afolayan". allAfrica.com. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2014.