New Technology World

A collage of three Nollywood movie posters: Chief Daddy, King of Boys and The Wedding Party. Image by Giovanna Fleck.

Technology has played a big role in the evolution of Nollywood. Before Netflix Expands to Africa Showcase Nigerian filmmakers have had to rely on the limited outlets of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

Nollywood’s growth has given way to new Nigerian films, with filmmakers dedicated to “telling stories about Africa and creating films made in Africa by Africans.” according to FilmStyle blog journalist Matt Jacobs. The new Nigerian Cinema is also committed to improving the technical standards of filmmaking in Nigeria.With this move, the Nigerian film industry Second most productive film industry surpassing the world and the United States. Before the mass production of Nigerian films, Africans were used to watching Hollywood and Bollywood films, but now Africans enjoy African-made content featuring their culture and creatives. I can do it. Amid these changes in the Nigerian film industry, several films stand out as blockbusters in the wave of new content.

Nollywood movies taking the world by storm

at its premiere in 2016wedding party“Nollywood has evolved significantly since entering the international film scene, giving way to two other blockbusters in 2018.”Lionheart” When “chief daddy“The Wedding Party” gross domestic profit 4 billion NGN (approximately US$1 million).Similarly, “Chief Daddy” is windfall In the first half of 2019, Nigeria’s box office grossed over 3 billion Nigerian (approximately US$7 million). Seven weeks after its release in October 2018, the film generated Naira 200 million (approximately US$470,000) in theater ticket sales before selling the streaming rights to Netflix in 2020. report Nairametrics, Nigerian financial online news portal.

“wedding party”

a Poster for The Wedding Party (2016 Nollywood movie). Wikimedia image by Jamie Tubers10 February 2017.

The plot of The Wedding Party, directed by Kemi Adetiva, revolves around Danny Coker (Adesua Etomi), A 24-year-old art gallery owner, the only child of his parents, and about to marry IT entrepreneur Dozie (Olubankole Wellington, popularly known by his stage name). Banky W), the love of her life. The couple take a vow of chastity and look forward to their first night together as husband and wife.

The film broke the glass ceiling of Nollywood cinema in international popular culture, so to speak. The production, story, and comedy captured the hearts of the younger generation and received high praise.

The film elegantly amplifies Nigeria’s “rich culture (food, music, dress)” through various but complex “themes and scenes”, claim Wilson Morales, film critic for Black Film online portal. Additionally, there were “endless clashes, not just between the bride and groom over wedding dresses, invited (and uninvited) guests, food choices, who walked first, and overworked wedding planners.” Morales says it was presented in a “funny and funny” way.

“Chief Papa”

A promotional poster for Chief Daddy, a 2018 Nollywood comedy-drama. Wikimedia image uploaded by DatBot March 7, 2021

‘Chief Daddy’ is the third Nollywood film in the history of Nigerian cinema to surpass NGN 300 million and the third most successful Nollywood film of all time. The plot revolves around the life of Chief Beecroft, a wealthy and generous businessman known as “Chief Daddy”. He dies at the beginning of the film, and his family is vying for a share of his fortune. Chief Daddy’s greatest wish was to gather his family together to plan his burial, thus forcing them to get along, it became a problem that they valued wealth over mourning. .

With a first-rate ensemble of actors and actresses, the film was both heartfelt and hilarious. Kate Henshaw, Funke Akindale, nkem owo, and other Nollywood actors and actresses converge on this dark comedy. The film’s cast was very diverse, with Joke Silva playing the main role and playing Chief Papa’s wife very well. Ọmọ́níkẹ̀ẹ́ AdéòtíA Nigerian film critic said of the film: showed off “The beauty and luxury of high society in Nigeria. Depending on the audience, it can be seen as a hedonistic expression of our people, or a celebration of our lives. Unlike the simplistic and romantic tales of older Nigerian films, the film uses comedy to show both the good and the bad aspects of Nigerian culture, highlighting the evolution of the industry.

“King of Boys”

Poster for King of Boys (Nollywood political crime thriller film). Wikimedia image by IMDb

The movie “King of Boys” starring Arhaya Eniola Salami (Sora Sovoile), a businessman and philanthropist with a promising political future. As a result of her growing political ambitions, she is drawn into power struggles that threaten everything around her. Unsure of what to do, he follows a harsh and ruthless path.

The movie “King of Boys” is very popular in Nigeria.According to Nigeria Travel Digest, an online news portal, the ‘King of Boys’ one of the top 10 movies The film takes a strong stance by showing how corruption affects all aspects of society and how politicians will always need an underworld to do their dirty work. What Nigerians love most is that it shows in a true and nuanced way the daily challenges and political difficulties that exist in Nigerian society. It also sheds light on possible solutions to ongoing social problems.

Kemi Adetyba You did a great job on ‘Wedding Party’ and joined the ‘King of Boys’ team to create something even more amazing. Adetyba says,Scenes full of intense dialogue, thought-provoking decisions by the main characters, portraying them in a way not yet seen in Nigerian cinema.” Note Ayo Onikoi Nigerian journalist. The film also showed that Nollywood could produce quality crime and action movies that had struggled in the past.

Nollywood has evolved rapidly to put African cinema in the spotlight. It showed people what Africans can do when it comes to making movies.Nigerian media researchers Israel Udmisol and Opala Anayo emphasized “artistic display and excellent performance” and “The content, quality and originality of the film” has broadened the storytelling of Nigerian cinema.Scholars have likewise said that this It elevated the “industry within the realm of film festivals and ratings”, thereby extending the boundaries of Nollywood cinema to audiences around the world. Previously, stories in Nollywood films followed a repetitive and cliche pattern, mostly revolving around the same themes such as love and royal discord.

Nollywood’s growth also clearly shows that not only Europeans and Americans can make blockbuster movies. Comparing the productions of old Nollywood films, the difference is clear and shows that Nollywood film producers have come a long way in the last few decades.