ENTERTAINMENT

‘We’re limited in budget and logistics’ – Nollywood actress, Omoni Oboli tells film critics

Published

7 years ago

July 21, 2017

Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Omoni Oboli, in an interview with Punch speaks on her career, family and other issues.

Read excerpts from the interview below:

There was some copyright infringement controversy over your movie, Okafor’s Law, how have you been able to resolve it?

‘We’re still in court. So we’ll leave that for now.’

You once had an online altercation with Chude Jideonwo over his analysis of your movie. Is it that you don’t take kindly to criticism, or what actually happened?

‘Criticism is always good and necessary. No one is perfect, so I don’t expect my movies to be without imperfections. Nollywood is a growing industry. We have come a long way, and I’m so thankful to be a part of this homegrown sector which richly blesses our nation with another stream of income.

‘When we criticise, it must be communicated with a clear view of where we’re coming from, where we are and where we’re going. Any critic should have the clear understanding that we are limited in budget and logistics to achieve the seemingly impossible task of competing with Hollywood movies at the cinemas.

‘So, I don’t shy away from criticisms like, ‘the storyline is not well put together,’ ‘the sound was not clear in certain areas,’ ‘the acting by so and so was not up to par,’ ‘the directing lacked such and such.’ What I don’t like is when a blanket statement is made like, ‘the movie was bad,’ without any follow up on how and in what way it is considered bad so I can learn from it.

‘Can I stop such criticisms from ever occurring? Apparently not. But I would like to see more people begin to go beyond any personal views, to see that the big picture is the projection of Nigeria to the world in such great light that other nations will want to know what we are doing.

‘It would increase our ability to export our movies to a more global audience that’s looking for something new outside of the Hollywood defined view of what makes for good entertainment.

‘Saying a movie is just plain bad without any follow-up as to how and why, would mean that the person has the monopoly on what constitutes good entertainment above all other Nigerians who are paying good money and enjoying that same product over and over again.’

Can you recall who gave you your first opportunity in the movie industry?

‘A lot of people helped me when I first stepped into the scene as a young actor. There was Obi Osotule, Keppy Ekpenyong, Opa Williams, and Fred Amata who helped me get into the industry.

‘Fidelis Duker and Lancelot Imasuen were the first to give me the lead role in a movie, Not my Will, and then later, Destined to Die, in the same year. Hilda Dokubo gave me a role in her movie, Another Campus Tale, as the lead female.

‘After my long break from the industry, Emem Isong-Misodi was the one who gave me the opportunity for a comeback, even though it didn’t feel like a comeback. It felt more like starting from the beginning.’

Many believe that your relationship with former president, Goodluck Jonathan, was a boost for you; in what ways did he contribute to your career?

‘Being Mrs. Elliott was my directorial debut, and I had applied to show the movie to the president and he obliged. Anything that gives you publicity for your movies prior to the cinema release is definitely always welcome by any serious filmmaker.

‘It was a great honour and a beautiful boost to my career as a filmmaker. To launch out that way was definitely the very thing I needed then and I’m thankful for it.’

Credit TNS.

ENTERTAINMENT

Davido Alleges Plot To Cancel His December Concert Over His Comments On Nigerian Economy

Published

8 hours ago

November 28, 2024

Reporter

Davido alleges plot to cancel his December concert | fab.ng

Grammy-nominated artist Davido sparked controversy during a recent interview on The Beat 96.1. This offers a sharp critique of Nigeria’s current economic landscape.

He advised Black Americans planning to return to Nigeria to reconsider their plans. He described the country as experiencing its most severe economic crisis following President Bola Tinubu’s reforms.

The singer highlighted the Nigerian entertainment industry. Particularly, Afrobeats is a crucial global export that elevates the nation’s international profile.

Despite acknowledging Nigeria’s abundant talent, Davido lambasted the country’s leadership, characterising it as fundamentally inadequate.

Davido said yall black Americans that think you’re gonna get a fresh start in Africa after the 2024 presidential election… you might want to reconsider that dual citizenship

Africa is NOT it rn🥺☹️ pic.twitter.com/fkuTCAbmD3

— 🎈Yaq🅴🎈AKA THE BIG SHARK🦈 (@BigHomieKODAQ) November 20, 2024

Following Davido’s interview criticising Nigeria’s economic condition, critics have lambasted the artist for his candid assessment of the nation’s financial challenges.

His comments sparked immediate debate about the country’s economic state and the role of public figures in national discourse.

In a television morning show, one of the hosts criticised Davido’s timing, noting that President Tinubu was simultaneously attending the G8 summit in Brazil to secure foreign investments.

“Education does not guarantee you knowledge and Davido is a prime example of that. Cus he speaks without rẽasoning”

-Tvc News pic.twitter.com/03TgbexCOM

— Arthur🇳🇬🇬🇧🇸🇳 (@AjMachalaa) November 25, 2024

The interview divided public opinion, with some Nigerians condemning his remarks as potentially damaging to the country’s global image.

Conversely, other Nigerians praised Davido’s commentary as an authentic representation of the nation’s economic struggles. They highlighted the growing economic pressures pushing millions into deeper poverty amid skyrocketing inflation.

Escalating the controversy, Davido alleged a coordinated effort to cancel his December concert in response to his interview.

He defiantly stated he would not be compelled to perform in Nigeria, echoing his history of challenging government narratives.

This is not Davido’s first confrontation with government supporters. During the 2020 EndSARS protests, he claimed external pressures forced him to temporarily leave the country due to his active participation.

The ongoing dispute underscores the complex interactions between Nigerian artists, economic challenges, and political discourse.

With Davido emerging as a vocal critic, he is willing to challenge prevailing narratives about the nation’s economic and political realities.

Check out more entertainment news updates here.

ENTERTAINMENT

Trino Motion Pictures Announces Uche Okocha As Its New Managing Director

Published

9 hours ago

November 28, 2024

Reporter

Trino Motion Pictures announces Uche Okocha as new MD | fab.ng

Trino Motion Pictures, a renowned film production company, has appointed Uche Okocha as its new managing director.

This strategic move aims to unlock new avenues for growth within the vibrant Nollywood industry and the broader global entertainment landscape.

Okocha will lead Trino Motion Pictures to unprecedented heights, leveraging his seasoned filmmaking expertise of over a decade.

In his acceptance speech, he expressed his enthusiasm for spearheading the company and its talented team towards groundbreaking achievements.

Okocha will enhance Trino’s storytelling capabilities. He would ensure its content remains widely accessible and expand the company’s global footprint.

“I am honoured to take on the position of Managing Director at Trino Motion Pictures. I am ready to lead our talented team toward groundbreaking achievements and to employ our core values of efficiency, integrity, professionalism, and innovation to elevate our storytelling capabilities, ensure our content is always accessible, and expand our presence globally,” he said.

Trino Motion Pictures creates critically acclaimed films.

This establishes the industry as a visionary production company at the forefront of cinematic innovation.

Their impressive portfolio includes titles like Sylvia (2018), Three Thieves (2019), The Razz Guy (2021), and The One for Sarah (2022). Also, they worked on the recently released, highly acclaimed The Weekend (2024).

These exceptional films have captivated audiences globally, earning recognition at prestigious international film festivals and garnering numerous award nominations. They have solidified Trino Motion Pictures’ reputation for unwavering commitment to quality.

Daniel Oriahi’s psychological thriller, The Weekend, has achieved remarkable success, recently securing 4 AMAA Awards from 16 nominations.

This milestone achievement marks the film as the first independently produced Nollywood film to premiere at the prestigious New York Tribeca Film Festival.

The Weekend’s cinematic journey continued with a screening at the BFI Film Festival in London.

Within just two days of its release, the film generated over ₦8 million in revenue, further solidifying its commercial success.

ENTERTAINMENT

Wizkid Teases Potential Lagos Concert Following Groundbreaking Album Release

Published

1 day ago

November 27, 2024

Reporter

Wizkid teases Lagos concert with new social media post | fab.ng

Grammy-nominated artist Wizkid has sparked widespread excitement among Nigerian fans by hinting at a potential December concert in Lagos.

On November 26, 2024, the superstar posted an Instagram image captioned “Lagos December.” This immediately generated speculation about a live performance.

The concert anticipation follows the release of Wizkid’s sixth studio album and eighth project, “Morayo.“ This has already achieved significant commercial success.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by BIG WIZ🦅 (@wizkidayo)

The album remarkably set a new record on Spotify. It secured the largest opening day streams for a Nigerian artist. Also, it demonstrates the musician’s continued global appeal.

“Morayo” features a diverse collaborative lineup, including 16 tracks with guest appearances from prominent artists.

The album showcases Wizkid’s international reach by featuring Afrobeats hitmaker Asake, French artists Tiakola and Anais Cardot, and American musicians Jasmine Sullivan and Brent Faiyaz.

Should the concert materialise, it would mark the first performance Wizkid holds in Lagos since his 2022 Flytime Fest headline appearance.

Fans are particularly intrigued by the potential concert, given Wizkid’s previous statement suggesting his 2022 performance might be the last ticketed show for his Lagos audience.

Industry observers and music enthusiasts are closely monitoring the potential tour plans. The “Morayo” album’s release suggests Wizkid is preparing for a comprehensive tour.

Furthermore, Lagos potentially serves as the inaugural destination for the live concert Wizkid holds for his latest musical work.

The strategic timing of the album release and the cryptic social media post has effectively generated significant anticipation among fans and media outlets.

Wizkid continues to demonstrate his ability to create musical and promotional momentum. He maintains his status as a leading figure in the global music landscape.

Meanwhile, official confirmation remains pending; the “Lagos December” post has successfully generated substantial speculation and excitement.

This could be about a potential homecoming concert that could be a landmark event for Nigerian music fans.

Check out more updates here.