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Themes such as love, abolition of class differences, fight against HIV/AIDS, adultery, addiction to wealth, power, fame, rituals, witch manipulation, involvement in nefarious activities, greed, corruption, domestic violence, abuse of women’s and children’s rights, hunger for power, poverty , barrenness and much more characterize the Nollywood films. With the advent of the home video revolution, stakeholders embraced the idea of ​​being able to tell our own stories to the viewer (Nigerian and non-Nigerian alike).

However, the common denominator of flawed scripts, parodies, flooding plots, embarrassing verbal errors, choppy editing, high predictability rate, lousy soundtracks, boring, prosaic, monotonous, technologically deficient, formulaic movies have all contributed to the declining rate at which home videos are watched . There has been a call from filmmakers to introduce new dimensions and other positive sides to our stories that reflect the norms and values ​​of our society, rather than fostering a flood of negative stories being portrayed in the international communities about Nigerians. However, I believe that the so-called negative stories that are projected in our films (if we have to be honest with ourselves) represent holistically what is going on in our society.

Hollywood itself has produced films dealing with negative themes in America such as lust for power, greed, corruption (among political officials, top management of blue chip companies, dirty cops), serial killings and various forms of murder, assassinations, rape, abuse dealing with drugs and their addiction, hacking into computer systems of governmental and non-governmental institutions, robbing of banks, homes, shops, assault and batteries, prostitution, strip dancing, pole dancing, treason, nudity, adultery, illicit sex by youth, one nightstand practice, car theft, domestic violence, divorce, separation and other related vices. Bollywood is no saint at telling its stories either, despite the usual romance and dance strategies that are synonymous with their films.

I’m not saying it’s a good thing to stick with producing vice-related films, but we must also note that through some well-thought-out written scripts, Hollywood is relying on its actors to demonstrate American virtues like sharing a strong, deep bond to portray love for the nation, family, friends and fellow citizens, which means sacrificing one’s life if necessary to save the day, promoting and sharing the American Dream, showing heroic deeds, always defeating their enemies as superpowers, turning on Embark on wild adventures and discover new things where others have failed. Hollywood movies largely stem from their wide range of genres made possible by cutting-edge technology within their reach.

Nigerians certainly have good virtues and there are people who have great stories to tell but sadly don’t have the opportunity to do so in an overtly competitive tribalized sector where people don’t see the bright ideas others come up with be able. You’ve got to get your money’s worth if you want a good movie that’s free from the overloaded work syndrome. After all, my folks have a saying that “soup sweet, well kill money” is. However, it is important that our stories have a “cross-appeal” feel that people from other countries can easily identify with.

The clarion call for Nigeria’s re-branding, actively promoted by Information Minister Prof. Dora Akunyili to change the negative mindset/perception of the international communities towards the nation and its citizens, has also called for the production of good films as a true tool in re-branding -Process. The slogan “Nigeria, Good People, Great Nation” aims to present the image of the country and its citizens in a new light, and screenwriters with great imagination are encouraged to invent new stories that would do just that. The question is, “Where are those with great stories who can achieve this goal? Are they based in Nigeria or based in other countries?

Do they strongly share the passion for re-branding, or do they see it as just another political ploy in the government’s book to garner attention? Has the government established a “functional, impartial, separate funding system” in which funds would be made available to producers to produce such films as are being promoted? What can be done to capture the interest of untapped, highly talented minds running with wild imaginations to bring forth great stories, while considering the treacherous webs they may be caught in, spun by unscrupulous, crooked, fraudulent practitioners in the industry? If the right mechanisms were put in place, there would be a balance recorded in the stories told, in contrast to the current weighty propensity for projecting negative themes that dominate our screens.

See you then… auggiepo@yahoo.com

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