In Bayelsa, AMAA takes culture, music, glamour to movie dome - Nigerian Movies & Nollywood on Naijarules.com

bolanle · #1 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 03:43 PM

ORGANISERS of the yearly movie award tagged Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) has again taken culture to the fore at an elaborate ceremony held at the event's traditional home, Gloryland Cultural Centre, Yenegoa, Bayelsa State.

Just like the last edition, this year's AMAA ceremony attracted a horde of filmmakers as actors and film crewmen from across the country, the African continent and Hollywood, United States of America attended.

Star actor and Oscar award winner, Cuba Gooding Jnr as well Fat Girls's lead actress Monique were this year's guest from Hollywood.

Unlike last year when Minister of Information and Communication, Mr. Frank Nweke Jnr. was personally present, government presence at the just concluded AMAA were the Bayelsa State deputy governor, Peretobowei Ebele who represented Gov. Goodluck Johnathan, and the directors general of the National Film and Video Censors Board, Nigerian Film Institute and the Nigerian Copyright Commission among others.

Perhaps the organisers had the promotion of the culture of the country, especially that of the host state, as one of its cardinal objectives as projection of culture, and glamour were the main thrust of most of the events that preceded the main awards ceremony. A boat regatta was staged at the Ox Bow Lake, on the afternoon of the grand finale. It stunned many of the visitors whom it openned their eyes to why the state is popularly called The Hidden Paradise. In the night, guests were entertained with traditional dances from that part of the country and even the stage design, a blend of the ancient and modern, was a sight to behold. The podium where awards presenters reeled out the names of winners, was made of a design based on the forms of an Africa drum. This complimented the two conga drums set on right and left of the stage. Two drummers who performed on the drum sets (interchanging periodically, at long intervals) were dressed in rich Ijaw traditional attires.

As the lights played pyrotechnic displays on the bamboo design among other enhacing aesthetics that marked the stage, a pictoral impression of a shimmering stream is sets on the mind of members of the audience.

One noticeable feature at the AMAA, was the inclusion of a large number of Nigerian music artistes, which transformed the event into a night of honour, not only for movie stars but for music acts too. It actually became a carnival of some sort given the music and comedy festival that held immediately after the awards ceremony, at the Bayelsa Stadium. It featured the likes of Tu Face, Tic Tac, a Ghanaian music act alongside Nigeria's Tony Tetuila, Muma Gee, Yemi Sax among others.

There was a lot of improvement, a development that perhaps has encouraged the Bayelsa State government, to host and committedly support three editions of AMAA. The visible improvements must have prompted Ebele, who represented Gov. Jonathan, who is now the Peoples Democratic Party's Vice presidential candidate to make the statement that the present administration (in the state) "identifies with the aspiration of

AMAA," that is why it " is committed to promoting creativity."

Movie, he said, is a "major player in our society because it is vehicle for promoting our culture." He urged movie makers to document the present for posterity because "that is the duty of filmmakers."

But a little blot in the seemingly well organised event is in the area of crowd control. Though an improvement compared to last year's edition, AMAA still needs to work harder to control the excited, starstruck Bayelsans who all love to come and see their movie idols in flesh and blood. This situation usually cause the large hall to fill up to capacity with many standing just to be part of the show. As at

when filmmakers Mahmood Ali Balogun and Chief Gab Onyia (Gabosky) walked into the hall at about 9pm, no single seat was in sight for them, especially Balogun, who was billed to present an award. The duo hovered round the arena until one of the hostesses managed to find space for them.

Aside that, Mrs Peace Anyiam-Fiberesima, chief executive officer of AMAA, should think of doing some restructuring in the composition of jury or judges as he case may be as some of the filmmakers accused them of being strait-jacketed. It is alleged that it is the same set of judges that have been together since inception of the awards three years ago. Thus, a filmmaker who lost in a category he was nominated for, accused the judges of allowing sentiments to come to play.

"What AMAA changes is the head juror, I feel it is right for the organiser to change the entire composition of the judges, if I say more than this, people will start saying I am disgruntled because I did not win in the category I was nominated for, if not how would a film like Sitanda win the Best Picture award?"

The exploits of Sitanda at AMAA '07 caused quite a stir, while the cast and crew were dancing to the stage anytime it was announced a winner in a category, other practitioners were busy querying in muffled voices the choice of the movie produced by a multinational company as "its contribution to Nollywood's growth," could not be vivid.

The movie won the Best Nigerian Picture (Irrespective of language), Nuhu Ali, an actor in the flick won the Best Upcoming Artiste, the director, Izu Ojukwu won the Best Director aside of the film being the Best Nigerian Picture.

Critics' opinion is that since Anyiam-Fiberesima says the judges are an independent body with no outside influences on any decisions they took on a movie, it is high time the body is restructured.

... And Olu Jacobs is new 'King of Actors' WHY most people in the packed auditorium of the Gloryland Cultural Center,Yenegoa, Bayelsa State,

seemed to be waiting for the announcement of the winner of the award for Best Actor in Lead Role category, was what many could not comprehend.

But over time, the award had been what many who attend the annual event, look forward to. Were people surprised when veteran actor Olu Jacobs was announced as the new King of Actors? Certainly not; pitched against relatively unknown actors such as Ganiu Nofiu, Kunle Abogunloko and Ayo Lijadu, not many people had doubts that Jacobs, husband of star actress Joke Silva, would clinch the coveted award.

Ironically, his wife, Joke, was Best Actress in Lead Role at last year's AMAA. Dressed in a flowing robe, Olu Jacobs who now takes over from last year's winner, Kanayo O Kanayo, accepted his prize with elegance. He called on younger actors to "be patient, as your time would come".

He however cautioned: "This award is not for the oldest actor, so you (younger actors) you must continue to work hard because as long as I am still around, I will continue to give you a run for your money." Olu Jacobs received the honour for his role in Dancing Heart.

GUARDIAN