Voice 1
Hello. I’m Rachel Hobson.
Voice 2
And I’m Mike Procter. Welcome to Spotlight. This programme uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
Voice 3
“I only watch Nigerian films. And I love them. I learn so many things from them like being careful to choose good friends.”
Voice 1
These are the words of Mariama Touray from the West African country The Gambia. She is one of millions of people around the world who enjoys watching Nigerian films. The Nigerian film industry is growing very quickly. It is Nigeria’s answer to America’s film industry Hollywood and India’s film industry Bollywood. People call it “Nollywood”. In today’s Spotlight we tell about Nollywood.
Voice 2
In the 1980’s and 90’s many film theatres closed in Nigeria. People were afraid to go out at night. There was much crime on the streets. So people often stayed at home. When they wanted to see a film, they had to rent video cassettes and DVDs. But most of the films came from Hollywood and Bollywood. Many Nigerians were not interested in the subjects of these films.
Voice 1
In 1992 everything changed. Ken Nnebue is a businessman in Nigeria. He invested in a film. In the past, filmmakers needed film cameras that cost a lot of money. But this “film” was made and sold on video. Video cameras were not costly to buy. So, Mr. Nnebue did not need to invest so much money to make the movie. And stores and market traders could easily sell the movie on video cassettes.
Voice 2
But, this video was important for other reasons too. It was made in Igbo - one of the major languages of Nigeria. And the film-makers used shocking images to tell their story. The video/film was called ‘Living in Bondage’. Bondage means being trapped, but the film is about being trapped spiritually. The main character is called Andy Okeke. He wants to be wealthy. He will do anything to gain money. He meets a group of people who use power from the spirit world. They use witchcraft. And he falls under their influence. This group demands that he sacrifice his wife in exchange for wealth. When Andy goes back to his village, his family does not accept him. They see that he is wealthy. But they know something is wrong. Finally Andy becomes mentally sick. He becomes completely insane.
Voice 1
Many people bought ‘Living in Bondage’. The film became extremely popular. It made more money than any other Nigerian film in the past. But more importantly it captured Nigerians’ imagination. Nigerians had not seen anything like it before.
Voice 2
Other producers saw how successful this film was. They saw the amount of money to be made. And they decided that they would make films too. Today there are around three hundred [300] film producers. These producers are very busy. They make up to one thousand [1000] films every year - and sometimes even more. Films cost less than forty thousand [40,000] dollars to make. This is not a lot of money for producing a film. But in Nollywood, it is enough
Voice 1
Filmmakers often record these films in just one week. They use new technology to help them. Digital cameras replaced video cameras. And now HD cameras replace digital ones. Technology helps with editing. With film, editing meant cutting the film and putting it all together. Now, editing happens in video, using computers. This is much faster, so less costly.
Voice 2
But the filmmakers work in very difficult conditions. They may have to pay criminal gang members to let them work in peace. They have limited time in most places they work. They often get delayed in traffic for hours. And actors may be very late. Many actors work on several different films on the same day.
Voice 1
All of these problems do not stop filmmakers from making films. Every week, they release twenty [20] or more new films to stores and market traders. So, Nigerians have many films to choose from. They wait excitedly to see what new films are ready each week. To buy a film only costs three dollars. And to rent one is sixty [60] cents. So, most people can pay the price to see them. And the average film sells around fifty thousand [50,000] copies.
Voice 2
Many Nigerians are proud of Nollywood. They feel that for the first time African voices are telling their own stories. Mildred Okwo is a Nollywood movie director and producer. She explains why she makes films:
Voice 4
“I need to tell the African Story in my own way. Africa is getting popular again with Hollywood. In the past two years, so many films have been based around Africa. Those stories are not really our stories. They are always centred on the Americans or the British with Africans as waka passes. They only play small parts. I would like to change that by giving our actors lead parts in stories that are truly ours.”
Voice 1
However, there are other people who do not like Nollywood. They say the films are a negative influence. They say the films only tell stories about violence and witchcraft. They feel this shows an untrue picture of Africa. Martin Mangenda is from Zambia. He said:
Voice 5
“The main problem with Nigerian films is that they show too much witchcraft. I do not think that Africans are like that. But children watch these films. And their minds get affected. I have stopped my family from watching them.”
Voice 2
Other people criticise the quality of Nollywood films. They say the sound is bad. And the pictures are not clear. In fact almost anyone who wants to make a film just makes one. Often, that person has no special training.
Voice 1
However, this may change soon. On the second of April 2007 former President Olusegun Obasanjo officially opened Studio Tanapa. This is a completely modern film studio - a place where producers can make high quality films. It is extremely large. And it has the newest equipment. This studio could greatly change the way producers make films in Nigeria.
Voice 2
In the past, President Obasanjo also talked about the subjects of Nigerian films. He asked film producers to create films that would improve Nigeria’s image in the world. He said there were many good things happening in Nigeria. But that no one talks about these things.
Voice 1
Nollywood is only fifteen [15] years old. But it already earns around two-hundred million [200,000,000] dollars a year. It employs thousands of people. And the industry will continue to grow. Many people are waiting to see how it will develop. Will there be films with other subjects? Will the quality improve? Will more and more Africans get a chance to tell their stories?
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