More original Nigerian stories are needed as Nollywood revolutionises the African film industry—  Rex Moses

More original Nigerian stories are needed as Nollywood revolutionises the African film industry— Rex Moses

Nollywood filmmaker and founder of Zintramedia, Rex Moses, has charged filmmakers to look within and produce more Nigerian stories.

He said Nigerian film industry has been making headlines in recent years for its contributions to the African film industry, especially with its unique blend of culture, tradition, and storytelling that has successfully captured the hearts of millions of people across the continent and beyond.

Moses said as the industry continues to grow, there is a need for more original Nigerian stories to be told.

“Nigeria is a country rich in culture and history, with a diverse population of over 200 million people. Yet, many of the stories told in Nollywood films are not reflective of this diversity. Instead, many films rely on tired tropes and clichés, such as the love triangle or the rags-to-riches story. While these stories may be entertaining, they do not accurately represent the richness and complexity of Nigerian society.

“To truly revolutionize the African film industry, Nollywood needs to embrace more original Nigerian stories. These stories should reflect the diversity of Nigerian culture and traditions, and should be told from the perspectives of the people who live them,” he said.

Moses said one example of an original Nigerian story that has been successfully adapted for film is the 2019 movie, “The Milkmaid”.

He said the movie, which was directed by Desmond Ovbiagele, tells the story of a Fulani milkmaid who confronts religious extremism in rural Sub-Saharan Africa.

According to him, the film was praised for its nuanced portrayal of the complex issues facing the region, and was selected as Nigeria’s entry for the Academy Awards.

He said by telling more original Nigerian stories, Nollywood cannot only showcase the unique diversity of Nigerian culture, but also contribute to a more nuanced understanding of Africa as a whole.

Moses said these stories can help to break down stereotypes and misconceptions, as well as promote a more accurate and empathetic portrayal of African societies.

He said telling more original Nigerian stories can also help to create a more sustainable film industry.

“As more filmmakers embrace original stories, they can create a more unique and authentic brand that sets them apart from other film industries. This can help to attract more funding and investment, and create more opportunities for Nigerian filmmakers to tell their stories on a global stage,” he added.

Story source: GUARDIAN Newspapers

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