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. 
Quite impressive analysis
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