Nollywood fever hits Guyana
Saturday, June 9th 2007

There has been a virtual explosion of video films emerging from Nigeria referred to as 'Nollywood', and the African melodramatic productions have quite a following.

Chemist and Pan-Africanist Tom Dalgety, the main contributor to the vibrant African film culture in Guyana told The Scene that because of 'cultural oppression' and the existence of such films the thought occurred to him, "why don't we have African movies?" Dalgety who identifies with the Rastafari movement has been promoting African culture here through music since 1973 on local radio, followed in the early 90s by African music videos.

It seems just a handful of individuals knew these films existed, as five years ago Dalgety recalled a friend mentioning she, "had not heard of African directors other than Spike Lee."

Recognizing this was the position, the idea of airing films from the continent took root. Dalgety approached the persons in control of Metropole and Globe cinemas at the time. They however were reluctant. Then he tried persuading the African Cultural Development Association to air them in line with its African Presence programme, again nothing materialized.

This led to the advent of Dalgety's Africa every Saturday night. "After about three or four months I just said I'll go on my own. I approached Channel Nine about purchasing some time and showing the movies because I could have afforded it, to test the response and I'd say in about three months or so started to get bits of advertisements, until the big guns came on board, GT&T, Modern Optical, Courts, Banks DIH."

The Nigerian films, according to an article by Jonathan Haynes, Associate Professor of English, Long Island University, New York have been criticized for their lack of social and political use since they emerged in the late 1980s. Though the Professor goes on to say among other things that because of Nigeria's political circumstances and the fear of being censored having put much effort into a production film bosses were reluctant to address sensitive issues.

This lack of intricate nationalistic and political focus however is why the movies have the mass appeal they do. One senior gentleman looking for a select few African films in Georgetown said for instance, "the stories are very simple."

Explaining the appeal of the African films, vendor Marvin Angus said, "it's more of a day-to-day story - things that happen for real." He spoke of story lines that include mothers encouraging daughters to marry rich men and girls approaching 'obeah men' to "get a man they desire."

Scenes explored in the films bring to life myths, beliefs and suspicions that many persons have debated over time. An elderly female fan pointed out another enticing aspect of the supernatural or magic in the films such as innocents being sacrificed in money rituals, that is the use of human body parts to produce wealth and power. Haynes notes these are regular crimes portrayed in the films normally by a cabal of big men at various levels of power including but not limited to titled chiefs, politicians, police and businessmen.

"The truth is," says Dalgety, "that a lot of people in Guyana are fed on American, European and Indian movies."

In addition, there is less make up, special effects and glitz that give the films an earthy attractiveness. Noella Sam who was browsing the films Angus had on display commented, "I've been watching other movies my whole life and I've been hooked [on African films] since last year."

Appreciated throughout the African continent and around the world, Dalgety pointed out the films have infiltrated the West Indian community as a result of their popularity in Guyana. He mentioned that Caricom visitors, "came to Guyana, saw them, liked them and took them to New York."

The films, produced at a rate of 1,000 a year have begun to contribute to the economics of the West African region, he said, with persons seeking jobs in the industry migrating to that area where the art form is establishing itself as a dominant force. The films also contribute to small business development in Guyana and Suriname as a vibrant cross border trade.

Evidence of the explosion of mostly West African-English language films was given by CD and DVD vendor in the Stabroek Market Anita Chan. Declaring that she appreciates the realistic story lines of the films Chan said at the end of the day 95% of her sales are of African films. She mentioned that the films come in from Suriname and her husband Brian Morris, a seaman, told The Scene he would pick up a supply whenever he got an opportunity to shop in Nigeria at approximately 450 - 500 Naira a pop.

Colourful with lush scenery, posh real estate and beautiful women, the films have generated the African Movie Academy Awards. This particular award ceremony graced with the presence of accomplished African-American actor Danny Glover was first hosted in Bayelsa State, Nigeria in 2005. Last year the award festival hosted at Gloryland Cultural Center, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State was attended by African American Actress, Vivica Fox, Actor Louis Grossett Jnr and South Africa's Miriam Makeba.

This year on March 10 Bayelsa State (also known as the Glory of Lands), Nigeria hosted the main players in the film industry from the continent with guest appearances by Oscar Winner Cuba Gooding Jr and Monique from the sitcom the Parkers and the movie Phat Girlz.

Nollywood's favorite duo Chinedu Ikedieze and Osita Iheme (popularly known as Aki & PawPaw) were honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards in recognition of their dedication to the movie industry. www.myspace.com/basstony - Christopher Yaw, a journalists at Stabroek News

source

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Here's a clip from Beyonce: The President's Daughter. (from Ghana)
(That guy Raj look soooooo good! lol)

Beyonce: The President's Daughter - Part I

Van Vicker (plays Raj) --

he was in New York last month.

Van

Nollywood's top actress --

Genevieve Nnaji

quote:

Originally posted by gtsweet:
Van

Now this is wha u call a lookerrrr...

quote:

Originally posted by Amber:

quote:

Originally posted by gtsweet:
Van

Now this is wha u call a lookerrrr...

he definitely is!!

here's some of his other movies:
Divine Love
Darkness of Sorrow
Keeping the Promise
Mummy's Daughter
Slave to lust

and 'American Boy' which is set to release on DVD June 23, 2007.

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Stabroek New What the people say

Seems Beyonce is an international HIT