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The last three decades have been a defining moment for the Nigerian film industry. What began in mush-room units across the country, from Kano in Northern Nigeria to Asaba in the oil-rich Niger Delta region in the south, and to Lagos, Nigeria’s economic hub, now contributes $1 billion to the nation’s economy. The industry churns out over 2,000 films annually and employs an impressive 1 million Nigerians.
To capture the evolution of the industry, Steve Ayorinde, in his new book “Three Decades Of The New Nigerian Cinema – A Bystander’s Verdict,” chronicles 30 directors, actors, and actresses whose impact was notable in the industry’s growth over the last three decades.
The award-winning veteran journalist, who served as Commissioner in Lagos between 2015 and 2019, first in the Ministry of Information and Strategy, and later in the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture, also lays out 30 films released between 1992 and 2022 that he considers outstanding.
Here are five things we know about the book as it launches in Lagos on Thursday, May 18, 2023.
30 movies
Among the list of 30 movies is “Asewo To Re Mecca,” a 1992 movie directed by Afolabi Adebayo, which narrates the popular practice at the time where young girls funded their lavish lifestyles through romantic affairs with multiple wealthy men. Another movie from the early 1990s was “Living in Bondage,” a 1992 movie and the first film made in the Igbo language on home video.
From “Ti Oluwa Nile” to “Glamour Girls” in 1994, “Mortal Inheritance,” “Domitilla,” “Igodo,” Ayorinde enters the 21st century with notable movies like “Osuofia in London,” “The Amazing Grace,” and “Ije,” released in 2010 and starring Genevieve Nnaji. Ayorinde’s list of films also includes critically acclaimed movies released in recent times. Some of these movies, many of which are Nollywood’s highest-grossing films of all time, include “The Wedding Party,” “King of Boys: The Return of the Kings,” “Omo Ghetto: The Saga,” and “Amina.”
30 Directors
As is often the case, movie directors do not always receive as much credit for the success of films as actors and actresses do. Ayorinde aimed to address this by spotlighting 30 movie directors whom he considers to have been notable in driving the growth of the industry.
Born in 1959, a year before Nigeria gained independence, Ayorinde recognized the outstanding works of Afolabi Adebayo, whose notable filmography includes “Asewo To Re Mecca,” “Tomori,” and “Colours of Tomorrow,” among others.
Afolayan Kunle, the directing brain behind critically acclaimed movies like “Roti” (2017), “Mokalik” (2019), “The Citation” (2020), and “Anikulapo” (2022), clearly deserved a mention and was duly recognised in Ayorinde’s new book. Many other A-list directors who have given Nigeria blockbuster movies in the last three decades also got deserved mentions in the book.
30 Actors
Ayorinde also chronicles 30 Nollywood star actors out of the many talented actors in the industry.
On the list are Adekola Odunlade, Gabriel Afolayan, Segun Arinze, Sam Dede, Pete Edochie, Desmond Elliot, Osita Iheme, Chinedu Ikedieze, and Olu Jacobs.
What did he say about them and what are his criteria for selecting the 30? We will find out when the book hits the store.
30 Actresses
Among the actresses who have made an impact in Nollywood in the last 30 years, Ayorinde’s list details some of the popular faces in the industry.
The Edo-born Toyin Abraham, who has had an amazing career in the entertainment industry, particularly in the last 10 years, was among the exceptional women Ayorinde listed in his book. It is not surprising that award-winning actress and director Funke Akindele, who has featured in groundbreaking Nollywood movies like “Omo Ghetto: The Saga” and “Your Excellency,” appeared among the revered 30 in Ayorinde’s new book.
Other actresses who are household names in Nigeria include Rita Dominic, Adesua Etomi, Mercy Johnson, Genevieve Nnaji, Joke Silva, and Sola Sobowale.
The Unforgettable 30
It was shocking when Biyi Bandele died on Sunday, August 7, 2022, just one month before the premiere of his last landmark film, ’Elesin Oba: The King’s Horseman’. Born on October 13, 1967, in Kaduna State, Northern Nigeria, Bandele was the directing brain behind some of Nollywood’s finest movies, from “Half of a Yellow Sun” to “Shuga,” “Fifty,” “Fela Kuti,” “Blood Sisters,” and his latest work, “Elesin Oba: The King’s Horseman.”
Ayorinde’s new book gracefully pays special tribute to Nollywood stars and directors whose work has contributed to the growth of the industry over the last three decades.
Some of the names include Rachel Oniga, Chico Ejiro, Kayode Odumosu, Frank Edulukwu, Sadiq Daba, Jennifer Okere-Ossai, Bukky Ajayi, and Sam Loco Efeinwonkiyeke.
The post A Bystander’s Verdict: Five Things We Know About Steve Ayorinde’s book as it launches on Thursday appeared first on Nigerian Entertainment Today.
