Nigerian and Ghanaian Movie Stars Coming to New York This Christmas

Christmas came early this year for Nigerian and African movie lovers on the East Coast. They will be able to fraternize with some of their favorite home movie stars at the 5 Continents Annual Academy Awards Ceremony and Dinner holding in New York on the 15^th of December, 2007. The “Downtown Brooklyn Bridge” Marriott Hotel occasion will see more than 50 super star nominees from all over the world in attendance.

From Nigeria’s Nollywood, the explosive Patience “Mama G” Ozokwor will be coming. The seductive Ini Edo is also confirmed. Chinedu Ikedieze and Osita Iheme, both very popular abroad, will be around. Mike Ezuruonye (called “Roaring” Mike by a Nigerian movie fan on Naijarules.com) will be there. So will the tested Bob-Manuel Udokwu. And from the blooming Ghanaian movie industry, Van Vicker a.k.a. “Raj” and Nadia Buari a.k.a. “Beyonce” are expected.

Started in 1997, the 5 Continents event has honored worthy Haitian mega-star singers and actors for many years. Last year, in response to the popularity of African movies in the Haitian community at home and abroad, the organizers officially embraced the Nigerian and African movie community by inviting “Aki and Pawpaw”. That initial foray is being taken to new heights this year planned as the “biggest and the best” with the invitation of a battalion of celebrities from the Continent.

The prominent organizers of the 5 Continents Academy Awards are Haitian (Serge DM Napoleon and his wife, Rolane M. Napoleon) and Grenadian (Claire Charles). The chief spokesperson of the event, Serge Napoleon, the author of two books, a playwright and producer of multiple shows currently running on national television, is in familiar territory in the world of multi-cultural entertainment. His wife, Rolane, introduced him to African movies a few years ago. He saw Blood Sisters with Omotola Jolade-Ekeinde and Genevieve Nnaji and became an overnight promoter of African movies and the ideals they foster.

Serge, who sees himself as a Haitian African, envisages more of this cross-community events happening as the popularity of African movies grow around the world. According to him, “National television (in America) only shows you the dark side of how people live in Africa. When you see an African movie, you see the difference”. He started talking about African movies on television, urging his audience to buy “African movies for your kids because I see in African movies stories very similar to that of my country”. He has been accused of wrecking the Haitian movie market by urging people to watch African movies, but he counters by saying Haitians and Africans are the same and all should benefit from the good available in the cross-fertilization of cultures.

Rolane, on her own part, was introduced to Nigerian movies by a friend who told her “I have something special for you. It is an African movie”. The friend brought her Richard Mofe-Damijo’s The Price. She was impressed. Next, she saw Blood Sisters and knew she had to get her husband involved. She says “in the Haitian community, they watch a lot of African movies…They always buy African movies. If you go to any Haitian’s house, if he has 100 movies, 98 will be African. But (we) love Haitian movies too, and that’s why we mixed up the guests”. Rolane Napoleon says “last year, when Osita and Chinedu came, we received them like kings. I love them so much”.

Claire Charles, the third leg of the troika says of Nigerian movies: “It has taken over The Caribbean. There is not one Island in The Caribbean that does not watch these movies”. She says “It has motivated us all to do better and to grow larger”. Charles urges the ladies planning to attend the Awards to come in African attires to showcase the Continent to the world.

The Awards will feature dances, musical performances by big name artists, a scrumptious dinner and other surprises. Also expected to be in attendance will be VIPs like Ambassadors, Government officials, so security will be exceptional. The one-day ceremony will hold at the Marriott Hotel (333 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY) on December 15, 2007, between 7pm to 12midnight. Admission is $150 in advance, $200 at the gate and $500 for VIPs. Numbers to call are: 718 749 6512, 718 282 9403, 718 795 8770 and 718 940 0435. Home delivery of tickets is available.