Thursday 15 March 2012

Now I’m Born Again… ADESUWA





                          I have never supported the Nigerian Movie scene since the death of the 90’s cause I believe real art and craft died with that era. I refer to it as the Golden age of Nollywood. Then Omotola Jalade was just a budding talent in Mortal Inheritance, francis Duru was fresh air in Rattle snake, how about RMD’s wonderful performance in Violated, can I forget to mention Hilda Dokubo in Goodbye Tomorrow, or Ramsey Nouah in Silent Night, Uche Osutule caused tears to flow like water from a fountain, in the ‘ghetto story’ of Onome. There are many more great movies with great characters like Olu Jacobs, Liz Benson in Glamour Girls (Goosh that was a classic) and for the not too young ones, Kenneth Okonkwo in Taboo or Living in Bondage was simply legendary. There was less nudity, better story lines, clearer diction, ok, the cameras and video quality was not all that, but the story played out beautifully and life was good.




                                
                       Fast forward to 10 years later. Bigger, better Cameras, bigger pay quite interesting stories… terrible acting, abominable directing, poor production. Many have said the bigger you grow, the better you go, but this has not been the case for Nollywood. If I were to list ‘crap movies’ from our beloved nollywood, I’d need more space than the air strip of the Murtala mohammed international airport in Lagos. Every Barnabas, john and Idowu now parade themselves as directors, the actors feel that a corny accent or your ability to lay bare your ‘chesticles’ or act like high class call girls. The story lines are boring and the scripts extremely empty, making the camera man rely on landscape shots to give the viewer something to look at. I remember seeing a movie once and trying to understand the relationship between the gate to a house and a room in a hotel. I threw my hat in the ring long ago… no more NOLLYWOOD MOVIES FOR ME!!!!
                      Enter… March 14, 2012 – the premier of Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen’s ADESUWA. I walked into the hall just like the other select critics, actors, movie producer, politicians, well-wishers and fans, looking to add another bad taste to my already sour taste bud. But for the first time in a decade and half, my mouth was thrown agape in awe of a movie from the stables of Nollywood. The camera shots were sterling, the acting was crisp, music was apt, and the story line… oh the story line was like a gasp of water after some prolonged under water swimming. I was impressed by the antics of Bob Manuel Udokwu, Ngozi Ezeonu, Olu Jacobs. But then I lost it trying to catch up with the phenomenal performance of the lead female character ADESUWA Iyobosa ilaya. She was simply outstanding and I couldn’t help but applaud her carriage, delivery, and action. Her face, rather unknown, left an indelible mark in the hearts of all present as each scene with her mere presence elicited excitement from the eyes and mouths of the audience.

                     Set way back in the 17th century, Adesuwa is a tale of Lust gone sour resulting in a clash of kingdoms. I won’t bother spoiling your taste by trying to explain or narrate the plot of the story, I’d rather ask that you wait and see it when it opens in Cinemas across Nigeria. At the end of the Premier, I couldn’t help but believe again, more like repent and become born again, as the entire production actually points to the future of the Nigerian Movie industry if and only if movie producers and practitioners will decide to work for excellence, actors would agree to go back to film school and improve their skills. The way forward is forward… fresh faces, better story lines, improved camera shots, clinical directing and good editing. I love movies which celebrate my origin, the music, tradition, proverbs, culture and yes… I love the local setting. When a good story is brought to life with good acting and lovely video shots, the world is a better place, and indeed the earth is at peace with ADESUWA.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Tuesday 13 March 2012

THE BABY IN ME

                    I've always loved babies. The way they cry, smile, light up their eyes when something steals their attention, how they tighten their grip on anything they hold, their little lips when they part in a smile, the innocence in their giggle, a reflection of their state of mind .... Blank, unassuming, unashamed, bare. Ga ga ga goo gooo heheheheh! these are the cute sounds of children so sweet yet so annoying!  Every good comes with the bad so it is when you find that inner child in you.


                                                                                                                


                  Some of us take life too seriously forgetting that the inner child is what makes us view the world innocently! It gives that ability to trust innocently, act on instinct and take on life without the fear of failing. Have you ever noticed what happens when a baby falls hard on it's butt? A smile is the answer it gives to that little set back of falling down. At other times it may cry a little, but give it just a minute and see how it's face glows and its enthusiasm to do that which it fell doing returns.
                                                 
                 The times are harder for an adult, more expenses, more responsibilities, less fun, less living. HOW SAD. Adults mere exist... not live. Babies live cause they enjoy the essence of life which is living for today, ceasing the moment, enjoying the smell of the earth after rain not looking at the damage caused by the flood. Babies see the brighter side of life and stay positive, adults see the side of life that cuts cost.


                                                
                 We acknowledge the fact that life is hard but a little smile a day helps you go a long way. The hardest workers don't earn the highest rewards, neither do the most serious people live longer lives. Life is a journey not a destination, so learn to stop, fall, giggle, rise up, cry, and believe. Life is what we make of it, it is too short to be taken too seriously, yet too fragile to be lived alone. Take each day with a smile, belief, risk, for these are the vital ingredients which give life its uniqueness. Live life like a baby, discover the baby in you.