Popular actress, Shan George, has accused cinema owners in the country of stalling the progress of the Nigerian film industry by organising themselves into cabals.

The actress, in a recent interview with HipTV, said the cabals constituted a mafia of sorts whose sole interest is selfish and capable of ruining the film industry, as well as everything that it has achieved over the past years.

Alerting Nigerians to the fact that the activities of the so-called cabals portended nothing except danger to Nollywood, she said they had created a situation in which only they could determine what films should be accepted for screening in cinema houses across the country.

"They have made a list containing the names of their favourite actors and actresses, who they want to be featured constantly in the movies. And they have made it clear to producers that they are not prepared to accept any movie that has not featured any of the favoured practitioners as a member of its cast.

"This development is seriously affecting the film industry at the moment and it is the reason why things are no longer the same and Nollywood is not heading in the expected direction."

"Apart from this problem, the industry still has its fair share of skilled people in other areas. We have very good scriptwriters, dynamic directors and producers. In terms of equipment, we have the very best in Africa," she said.

The actress also noted that the film industry is currently blessed with a generation of progressive and young practitioners who are working very hard to make their contributions to the growth of the industry.

Adding that the future of Nollywood lay in the hands of those behind the activities of the cabals, she said, "There will be a lot of excellent results if these cabals decide to change their attitude and open up to everybody, including newcomers, instead of promoting favouritism in the industry."

This is the second time that Shan, who had somewhat melted off the entertainment scene and reappeared a short while ago, has commented on a major issue this year. The last time was in March, when she reacted to the controversy involving Kaduna-based cleric, Joshua Suleiman and Stephanie Otobo by asking both parties to "ask for forgiveness from God" and "sin no more".

The actress' latest comment on the existence of cabals among cinema owners in the country might be a reaction, being a film director and the chief executive of her own production outfit to boot, to the dwindling fortune of the film industry.

http://odili.net/news/source/2017/jun/30/800.html