How do people react to Naija movies in your area? - Nigerian Movies & Nollywood on Naijarules.com

Sola · #1 (**permalink**) 10-30-2003, 01:43 PM

Okay, I know we all live in different parts of the world, but it would be nice if we could post in this one thread what local reaction to Nigerian home video is in our part of the world. Since we cannot all travel all over the world, reading this will give us an idea generally.

To post something, please state your location - as this is very critical. Thanks.

To guide us, I am posting excerpts from this Guardian story:

Kenyans go crazy over Nigerian movies
By Chukwuma Muanya (Who was in Nairobi, Kenya)

LIKE a prophet that has no honour in his home town, the much criticised and talked-down Nigerian movies that has been described as only fit for undeveloped minds are getting recognition from a wide range of audience in Nairobi, Kenya.

Most Kenyans, old and young, male and female alike, are thrilled by the ingenuity of Nigerian actors and are always willing to part with their shillings to have copies.

Why the craze? "They are so real and natural, unlike our actors and actresses that are too artificial and stereotyped. They make you think and keep you at suspense till the end of the film," said Syliva Luchemo, a student with a business school in Nairobi, Kenya.

Luchemo told The Guardian that on the average she has watched up to 50 Nigerian movies. " I have watched a lot of Nigerian movies and I cannot stop. But the most interesting ones are the comedy and Christian movies. Aki and Pawpaw is a knockout anyday. Please, those kids are so funny, mischievous and naughty. Their parents must be proud of them." Another film that has been generally accepted in Kenya is Ukwa. "You cannot beat that actor (Nkem Owoh) he is a household name here" she said.

Luchemo is not alone in her appraisal of Nigerian movies. Another Kenya wonders why there are so many horror, blood money, vodoo and rituals in Nigeria films. "Do they really do all these things in Nigeria, like someone killing his mother or relation to make money," Irene Ngoroge, a computer analyst with a business center in Nairobi queried.

To John Kibani, a Zambian resident in Nairobi, "these films are so thought-provoking, and most of them unlike what we have here in Nairobi, portrays the real African culture..."

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Across the continent, in Europe, America, Asia and Australia, the story is the same. In Ghana and Togo Nigerian movies -according to testimony of travellers-have practically replaced local movies in these countries.

Launcelot Imasuen, a film maker, who recently came back from a tour of Europe had this to say:"Response from foreign countries where our films get to, has been tremendous. The recognition and acceptance of home videos in foreign countries have been great. On the international scene, they are bothered about the upsurge in Nigeria movie industry. We are giving a whole lot of headache, especially to Hollywood, because Nigerian films are spreading like a wild harmattan fire, just like Indian films did. With a little support from government, we will be able to hold the world and put it to task," he surmised with optimsm.

Experts in the movie industry describe Nigerian movies as untapped goldmine...

vince · #2 (**permalink**) 10-30-2003, 03:32 PM

Hmmm,this is interesting thread.I live in Austria,Vienna and i have not come seen too many non-nigerians who watch naija movies,but the few i've seen have the same attitude as the Kenyans,as in they absolutely love them.I know quite a number of austrians who are hooked on these video movies.While they have a few critique for the low production qualities,they are generally quite impressed by what they see and they tell me that the movies are a wellcomed change from the usual hollywood movies that they are used to.

Sola · #3 (**permalink**) 02-07-2004, 01:26 PM

Let's bump this up for the new members to contribute to it. It should give us some interesting research materials.

lady_vexy · #4 (**permalink**) 02-07-2004, 03:39 PM

i live in london but when my white friends come around to my house and they watch nollywood they found it very interesting even they go to naija video clubs than i do now cos they fell in love wit the storylines. and i saw a research saying more and more cultures are interested in nollywood movies now cos iz the third largest and it will be broadcasted in some countries pretty soon

Sola · #5 (**permalink**) 02-07-2004, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lady_vexy
i live in london but when my white friends come around to my house and they watch nollywood they found it very interesting even they go to naija video clubs than i do now cos they fell in love wit the storylines. and i saw a research saying more and more cultures are interested in nollywood movies now cos iz the third largest and it will be broadcasted in some countries pretty soon

Interesting Lady Vexy. That's the kind of breakout news we're hoping for.

More pls!

regibiz · #6 (**permalink**) 02-07-2004, 05:03 PM

Yeah! Other africans are crazy about nigeria movies too. The only problem is the projection of rituals and all that stuff - that turn some african-americans off. Too graphic they say. But on the whole, the response is more positive. Like me, every Saturday, I have to part with $20.00/30.00 for my nigerian movies - have about 150 or so and still going... That will be part of my retirement package...sit in a recliner and watch nigerian movies all day, and wait for the kids to send me a buck or two.

blackgold986 · #7 (**permalink**) 02-07-2004, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by vince
Hmmm,this is interesting thread.I live in Austria,Vienna and i have not come seen too many non-nigerians who watch naija movies,but the few i've seen have the same attitude as the Kenyans,as in they absolutely love them.I know quite a number of austrians who are hooked on these video movies.While they have a few critique for the low production qualities,they are generally quite impressed by what they see and they tell me that the movies are a wellcomed change from the usual hollywood movies that they are used to.

Oga vince, for my former campus, some of the white folks join us naijas to watch our english movies. so , i guess , we are getting close to the promised land.Abi I lie

Sola · #8 (**permalink**) 02-07-2004, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by regibiz
That will be part of my retirement package...sit in a recliner and watch nigerian movies all day, and wait for the kids to send me a buck or two.

That is so fruitcakey buddy!

jenzi · #9 (**permalink**) 02-07-2004, 07:14 PM

I live in London. A lot of Ghanians, Jamaicans, and East Africans rent naija movies too.

Pretty Girl · #10 (**permalink**) 02-07-2004, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jenzi
I live in London. A lot of Ghanians, Jamaicans, and East Africans rent naija movies too.

Wow.............nollywood is going Global...........

Okestra007 · #11 (**permalink**) 02-08-2004, 01:28 AM

Am holding it down in Greenville, SC. USA. I can’t give a broader response but if I can limit it to my school, I’ll say they love Naija movies.

As a member of the Student Government, for the 2002-2003 school year activities we decided to have an international movie festival. For my nomination, I nominated “Sango”, Slave and “Dapo Junior”. At the end, the school committee and advisors selected 14 movies, “Sango” & “Dapo Junior” was picked.

I took permission to show “Sango” and when they saw “Sango”, the audience got hooked. In 2003 I showed “Sango” twice although we didn’t get to see “Dapo Junior” as it was #12 on the list. But they really loved “Sango”, they asked many questions at the end, but still I saw in their faces that they really loved what they saw. And talking of an auditorium filled audience.

Babyai · #12 (**permalink**) 02-09-2004, 10:11 AM

Naija movies are no. 1 not only in the capital Freetown but in all parts of Sierra Leone. 9 out of 10 homes you visit enjoy them to the fullest - the young, old and ooooooooooh the kids just love movies starring "Aki & Paw Paw". The national television broadcasting station is no exception and broadcasts naija movies on a daily basis. Keep up the good work!

Sola · #13 (**permalink**) 02-09-2004, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Yema
Naija movies are no. 1 not only in the capital Freetown but in all parts of Sierra Leone. 9 out of 10 homes you visit enjoy them to the fullest - the young, old and ooooooooooh the kids just love movies starring "Aki & Paw Paw". The national television broadcasting station is no exception and broadcasts naija movies on a daily basis. Keep up the good work!

Thanks for the information Yema. Do they have any complaints though? What would they like to see improved?

vince · #14 (**permalink**) 02-09-2004, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sola
Thanks for the information Yema. Do they have any complaints though? What would they like to see improved?

See how area fada dey bu'ya tisha!

, if they have any complaints.Who dey watch naija movies wey no get complaints?

Babyai · #15 (**permalink**) 02-09-2004, 10:45 AM

Actually some people are getting bored with the love scenes (same story lines) but on the whole, they still appreciate the movies very much. Stella, Omotola, Patience, Ramsey, Genevieve, Pete Edochie, Emeka and Jim Iyke are rated high and viewers would go all out to either rent or buy movies starring them. Will have to conduct a thorough research though