[size=14pt]Brazil seeks Nollywood expertise in film making[/size]
Showtime People Tuesday, November 23, 2010


By Monsur Olowoopejo

Governor Baba-tunde Fashola of Lagos State has said that in the next couple of months the state government, in collaboration with Nollywood, will sign a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the Brazilian Government to teach Brazilian artistes movie production.





http://odili.net/news/source/2010/nov/23/323.html

Governor Fashola made this known in Alausa during a courtesy visit by Nollywood actors and actresses under the aegis of Lagos Artistes for Fashola, LAFF, led by Mr. Segun Arinze who are championing the campaign for Fashola's second term in office.

His said: "There is an offer on the table from the Brazilian government which the state government is yet to harness. The last time I visited Brazil, the Brazilian Minister for Tourism asked that they will like to sign a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with Nigerians to teach Brazilians on how to produce home videos.

"That offer is still on the table and we are yet to harness it because we are yet to have this type of forum where we can work out the necessary modalities. As soon as the artistes are ready, I will re-establish the contact and open up the network."

so that whatever benefits comes from the contract, the credit goes to the country and the movie industry."

Fashola, however, commended the artistes for their support during the 2007 electoral campaign and urged them to promote the ideals that would better the lots of the people in the society.

The Governor said: "By sheer deed of commitment, you have found a way where there seems to be no way. You have helped to address youth restiveness and unemployment."

adding that lots of youths had not been harnessed in the area of cinematography.

"How many Nigerian universities offer courses in cinematography? I champion this course that Nigerian universities should offer courses in such area. Many of you were probably forced into acting out of necessities."

He appealed to the actors and actresses to use their movies to shape and fight the ills in the society rather than negative exposure, citing several cases were Police were portrayed in bad light in movie scenes.

He said: "Maybe you may not pay attention to the values you portray, but I do. Your work is influential and you can use it to promote the image of this country. For instance, our Police are doing well.

"Any time you produce movies and you get to a police scene, they are always portrayed as badly dressed, that is the image you are sending out."

Speaking earlier, Arinze also commend Fashola. He said: "Governor Fashola had done tremendously well and is an actualiser. And that is the reason why I have gathered my colleagues who have made impact in the movie industry in the state to come together to support your Second term bid.

"We have come together for the actualization of your second term. I don't care whose ox is gored. We will stick with you throughout the campaign period until the victory is won," he said.

Arinze added that the artistes would release album, jingles and the rest to sensitise the people and ensured that they voted for the governor next year, stressing that "there is now a brand called 'BRF.'

"We will go to the grassroots to mobilize the people, we will support you; you will get our backing and support," Arinze said.

Where are the Nollywood naysayers?. We seem not to value our expertise until we lose it. Many of these Nollywood naysayers will even patronize the Brazilian movie industry anytime they come up with something.

I am not trying to be funny but after having watched one of my favorite movies "City of God" shot and produced in Brazil, I am beginning to question this!

MzDarkSkin:

I am not trying to be funny but after having watched one of my favorite movies "City of God" shot and produced in Brazil, I am beginning to question this!

Are you calling Fashola a liar?.

Cooooooool

@Aloy no but I am saying that movie's production was TOP.OF.THE.LINE! Let's be real Nollywood movies have excellent story lines but the production is in its infant stages (so to speak). What can they teach the Brazilians? Ok home movies fine but what about major productions? City of God, City of Men; etc are proof enough that Brazilians already know whats up. Now what I do think, is that Brazil is trying to reach out to the African audience though to make it as internationally respected as Nollywood is because as "cheap" as the movies are there is no denying that Nollywood is widely known. Brazilians having Portuguese as a main language requires subtitles and those movies rarely do good in the U.S. markets unlike Nollywood. So if this is a means to get more recognition in another part of the world on the part of Brazil then I can understand but the production skills/ quality is already there. But with all of that said trading ideas is not a bad move though on both parts, nothing wrong with black ppl reaching out to each other.

So in a nut shell my argument is Nigeria can teach distribution and Brazil can teach quality either way its win win.

What can they teach the Brazilians?

i'm also wondering.

i think the reporter probably got things mixed up.

Nigeria can teach distribution and Brazil can teach quality

maybe that's what this is about because it's very confusing otherwise.