It is common knowledge all over the world that Nigeria buzzes, brims, bursts and bristles with creativity and talent. So many beautiful stories to tell the world. So many creatives to express their art. All of these have rise to an industry that has been sustaining itself for several decades. Nollywood. Nollywood is a fundamental bedrock of creativity as anyone can eventually find and carve their niche inside this large film industry. But what really is the essence of Nollywood?
Recently, there has been a tremendous amount of traffic to Edo State, an influx of filmmakers of national and international repute which has remarkably driven the economy and generated revenue for Creatives and non-creatives directly and indirectly affiliated with the creative sector.
Recently I have had to ask myself profoundly what Nollywood is actually representative of with regards to its relevance.
While Nollywood is multi-faceted in this regard, as it represents a lot of things for many people, I can wholeheartedly say its essence is embedded in the soul of our people. We are a people who strive. We don’t give up. Ever. We just keep going.
We keep going. Ahead ahead. HOPE. Most of our stories reflect the theme of hope, of change. Change for the better. For what are we collectively as a nation, an industry, a people, without hope? Where do we go? How far do we go without the faith and sincere belief that life will get better someday? Hope is not a grain of sand. It is the persistent or stubborn belief that life will improve if we just keep trying. Just like with the purpose of life, I get to choose what aspect of the prism of artistic essence Nollywood represents to me.
Many Nollywood veterans remember the dark days when support for our indigenous films were infinitesimal or non-existent, paling into insignificance. But they had passion and talent. And hope. Today, the zeitgeist tells me great things are here, and greater things are coming, especially for my Edo people. We MUST be ready. What we once hoped for, is finally here.
Hope. Hope. Hope. How little a word, and yet how exciting and salivating it is!
It’s just one, small, tiny word that means so much and that so much means EVERYTHING for me. Life will get better soon.
