Show Some R-e-s-p-e-c-t Nollywood!
   
I recently read an article by Nigerian columnist Samuel Olatunji titled “I-n-v-a-s-i-o-n! Ghanaians eclipse Nollywood stars,” which left me utterly dizzy with confusion. The irony here is that I should have been infuriated by the article rather than appalled.  In the article, the author expresses concern over the increasing number of Ghanaian actors starring in Nigerian movies and the urgent need for producers to put an immediate stop to this trend. While the title of the article itself is beyond disrespectful to the Ghanaian Movie Industry, it was the content of the article that got me riling –it speaks volumes.

Well Mr. Olatunji I have series of questions for you. Where were you between 2002 and 2004 when the Ghanaian movie scene was literally dominated by Nollywood actors? Where were you when Nollywood actors were offered lead roles while Ghanaian actors played supporting roles in their own country? Where were you when these nollywoods stars were paid twice or even more than the Ghanaian actors? Where were you when Nigerian movies dominated the Ghanaian market scene? Where were you when loads of Nigerians films were trucked into the country on a regular basis while Ghanaian movies were being shelved? Hmmm…let me take a wild guess here, it wasn’t a Nigerian invasion then; “abi!?”

The article not only promotes division among the two movie industries, it also reaffirms existing prevalent mentality of Nollywood preeminence over the Ghanaian Movie Industry. When reading the article one gets the impression Ghanaian actors aren’t good enough and do not deserve roles in Nollywood.

The article shed light on the territorial nature of Nollywood. It seems most Nollywoood critics are content when foreign actors straddle the fringes of its borderline. However, any attempt to become deeply immersed in the industry is met with some form of resistance; as such positions or roles are “rightfully” reserved and entitled to Nollywood actors.  The ability to freely express one’s self artistically shouldn’t be restricted, as the word entitlement and artistic are just not compatible in this context. Ooh by the way, Mr. Olatunji, please add a touch of professionalism to your work next time!

Below is  Samuel Olatunji’s article

I-n-v-a-s-i-o-n! Ghanaians eclipse Nollywood stars

Just like many alien invasion movies we've watched, the film industry in Nigeria, better known as Nollywood, is fast experiencing its own kind of 'alien' invasion.
The invasion is not done by some monstrous-looking beasts with camera in their hands. Neighbouring Ghanaian stars are actually the ones invading our dear Nollywood like 'pests' according to an insider.

Peaceful collaboration that most keen watchers of Nollywood thought was just another marketing gimmick has fast snowballed into a major pain in the neck of Nigerian superstars. Nigerian movie marketers, who are the financier of most Nollywood films, now prefer to use Ghanaian actors and actresses than their Nigerian counterparts.

The situation has degenerated to the extent that Nigerian A-list actresses and actors now play sub-lead roles in movie industry where they used to hold sway. An actress told this reporter on condition of anonymity that the only reason marketers still use Nigerian stars in their movie is simply for marketing purposes. As expected, worst hit of this trend are the A-list actors and actresses. One of them told Showbiz Now that marketers are to blame and accused them of trying to destroy the industry they helped build.

Hardly is any movie released now in Nigeria without a Ghanaian playing a major role. Nollywood starts now play second fiddle to their counterparts who used to look up to them as stars.
The reason for this disturbing trend, according to a marketer is simply marketing. 'We invest in movies as business ventures not as charity or on ground of sentiments.

Our movies now sell very well in Ghana compared to Nigeria where sale of movies is sliding by the day. In order to recoup our investments, we have to take our goods to where the market is. Unfortunately for Nigerian stars, we have to sell since our home market is falling apart, and that means we have to use to what will give us leverage in their market. You can't expect them to buy a movie that has only Nigerian stars. If we want to sell well, we have to use their stars, unlike before. I must confess to you that it is working.'

But an actor who also prefers to remain anonymous told us there are more to the issue than what the marketer told us. 'The truth is that Nollywood will soon die and if it does, we would hold the marketers responsible. Ghanaians don't pay tax here, yet they come here in droves, make money and return to their country to live lavishly. The reason marketers use them more now is simply because of greed. They charge less and permit me to say, they don't act too well. But our marketers will sell their souls to gain extra kobo. Why would they want to use us when we charge them and deliver premium quality when there is someone who will charge less and probably deliver less? They prefer the extra cash to quality. Nigerian movies will sell anywhere, whether it has an all Nigerian cast in it or not,' he fumes.

Another dangerous twist to this issue is that marketers are now going as far as Sierra Leone, Liberia and other African countries scouting for artistes that would give their works marketing leverage. And most of the time, marketers hold up production for them and adjust shooting time to fit their schedules.

And to make matters worse, Ghanaians don't extend same gesture to our stars here and there is even unofficial communiqué that any Ghanaian film producer that uses Nigerian stars would be blacklisted. This explains why no Nigerian actor has featured of late in a Ghanaian movie.
The development is not going well with Nigerian stars and some marketers feel the trend is unfavourable.
Jackie Appiah, Nadia Buari, Nana Ama McBrown and Van Viker are at the forefront of the invasion of Ghanaian actors' invasion.
What will happen next? Marketers and stakeholders bare their minds next week.


source:www.ghanacelebrities.com