The barrage of flawed plots and recycled themes in Nollywood movies

Themes such as love, the abolition of class distinctions, the fight against HIV/AIDS, adultery, the craze for wealth, power, fame, rituals, manipulation of witchcraft, participation in nefarious activities , greed, corruption, domestic violence, abuse of the rights of women and children, thirst for political power, poverty, sterility and many more dominate Nollywood movies. With the advent of the home video revolution, stakeholders welcomed the idea of ​​being able to tell our own stories to the audience (both Nigerian and non-Nigerian).

However, the common denominator of flawed scripts, parodies, watershed plots, embarrassing verbal errors, choppy editing, high rate of predictability, abysmal soundtracks, bland, prosaic, monotonous, technologically flawed movies and formulas have added to the rate decreasing in which Home. videos are seen. There has been a clamor for filmmakers to introduce new dimensions and other positive aspects that reflect the norms and values ​​of our society in our stories, and not promote a flood of negative stories about Nigerians to international communities. However, I believe that the so-called negative stories that are projected in our films (if we are to be honest with ourselves), comprehensively represent what you get in our society.

Hollywood itself has produced movies that address negative issues in America, such as the lust for power, greed, corruption (among political office holders, Blue Chip top management, corrupt cops), murders in serial and various forms of murder, murder, rape, drug use and addiction, hacking into computer systems of government and non-government establishments, robbery of banks, homes, stores, assault and battery, prostitution, strip dancing, pole dancing, treason , nudity, adultery, illicit sex by young people, one night practices, carjacking, domestic violence, divorce, separation and other related vices. Bollywood is also not a saint when it comes to telling its stories, despite the usual romance and dance strategies consistent with its films.

I’m not saying that sticking to making vice-related movies is a good thing, but we should also keep in mind that Hollywood, through some well-thought-out written scripts, relies on its actors to portray American virtues, like sharing a strong bond and profound love for the country, family, friends and fellow citizens, which when necessary, means sacrificing life to save the day, promoting and sharing the American dream, exhibiting acts of heroism, as superpowers always defeating their enemies, going on wild adventures, and discovering new things where others have failed. Hollywood movies come largely from its wide range of genres on offer, made possible by the cutting-edge technology at your fingertips.

Nigerians certainly have good virtues and there are people who have great stories to share, but unfortunately they don’t get the opportunity to do so in an openly competitive tribalized sector, where people don’t see the bright ideas that others may have. You have to put your money where your mouth is if you want a good movie free of the clutter syndrome. After all, my folks have a saying that “soup is too sweet, money kills me.” However, it’s important that our stories have a “cross appeal” feel, that people from other countries can easily relate to.

The Re-branding of Nigeria wake-up call actively propagated by the Minister of Information, Prof. Dora Akunyili, to change the negative mindset/perception that international communities have of the Nation and its citizens, has also called for the production of good films as a true tool in the Rebranding process. The slogan “Nigeria, Good People, Great Nation” is geared towards promoting the image of the country and its citizens in a new light, and screenwriters with great imaginations are encouraged to come up with novel stories that do just that. The question is “where are those with great stories that can achieve this purpose? Are they based in Nigeria or based in other countries?

Do they share a strong passion for rebranding or do they feel it’s just another political trick in the book for the government to draw attention to itself? Has the government established an “independent, functional and impartial financing scheme” in which producers would make funds available to producers to make requested films? What can be done to stimulate the interest of highly talented, untapped minds running wild imaginations to come up with great stories, keeping in mind the deceitful webs they might get caught in, spun by unprincipled, crooked and deceitful practitioners? in the industry? When the right machinery is in place, there would be a balance in the stories told, unlike the current strong bias towards the projection of negative issues that dominate our screens.

See you later…[email protected]