Veteran Nollywood actress Ngozi Nwosu expressed her disappointment with the current state of the Nigerian film industry.
Lamenting that many movies have become predictable and lacking in depth. She attributed this to the influx of unqualified producers who prioritize profits over quality and authenticity.
Nwosu noted that many films are no longer relatable, as they fail to accurately represent real-life experiences due to a lack of research and attention to detail.
She nostalgically recalled the past when Nollywood films were more thoughtful and respectful in their representation, unlike today where there seems to be a disregard for public opinion and a focus on shock value.
“A lot of people who are not supposed to be producers are now producers. Wishy-washy stories every day. There are some stories you read, and you know immediately this is from foreign movies. They are not relatable. People have become lazy. They don’t want to research again because they are after the money.
We no longer relate as we used to anymore. We used to go to our fellow actors’ houses and drink water, but you can’t do that anymore because you don’t know who to trust. All leaves are lying down, but you don’t know the one with a stomach ache.
People in our time were more careful with how they represented themselves, but now everybody does whatever they want. Today, if you like, be naked, no one cares”.
Speaking on what has changed between the old Nollywood and new Nollywood, she stated that a lot has changed as now there is a tremendous improvement as in the past, they made use of VHS. However, there is still a problem in Nollywood which has to do with time management, rehearsal and script writing.
“A lot. You see, we started with VHS. So when you talk of improvement, there’s been a lot. The movie industry has improved tremendously. But, the problem is that before we used to work with time, we used to rehearse and discuss. When a writer brings a script, we put it on the table for people to discuss. But today, it’s not like that”
Moreso, Veteran actor Kanayo Kanayo and filmmaker Chinney Love also expressed their concerns about the decline of the Nollywood film industry.
Kanayo criticized filmmakers who prioritize quantity over quality by churning out low-quality content on YouTube, abandoning their colleagues and the industry’s foundation.
Chinney Love echoed his sentiments, describing how the YouTube community has become toxic, with individuals prioritizing personal gain over collective growth.
She noted that actors are now reluctant to work with producers, instead opting for solo projects, forgetting that the film industry is a collaborative and spiritual space that requires unity and mutual support.
