Movie producer calls for more local content in films

NAN-ELS-3
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Anita Eboigbe
Abuja, July 6, 2017 (NAN) Veteran Nollywood Director, Kabat Egbon has called for more indigenous content in Nigerian movies and films.
Kabat, who is notable for his 2005 film titled: ‘11 days and 11 nights,’ said, “the best way to win international awards is through an indigenous film.’’
“We cannot shoot love, romance and action stories in films more than they do; with our own stories and proper planning and execution, we will hit the international mark strongly.
“Nigeria started film making from the basics, with unsophisticated methods but the world watched and is still watching.
“This is because we found the soul of the people. We found stories that connected with our people.
“Nollywood created a new viewing audience. We started telling our own stories, real stories that the people can identify with.”
The ‘Husbands of Lagos’ director stated that the new crop of practitioners in the industry spend more time planning shooting procedures and equipment than perfecting the story lines.
He said that this had led to `a sort of deficiency’ in story lines which is described as the ‘soul’ of Nollywood.
He added that the concentration on technicalities and equipment is due to the need for international recognition and awards but they may not be going about it the right way.
According to Kabat, “these days, they make movies that appeal to the eyes with very poor stories which decrease their chances of being valuable in the cinemas.
“They are seen once and not too interesting to see again. Once they invest in stories as much as they invest in technicalities, there will be lovely and deep movies.”
Kabat who has been in the industry since 1996 told NAN that the industry growth has been phenomenal adding that technology and acting have also been refined over time.
The director discarded the debate between ‘new Nollywood’ and ‘old Nollywood’ which has dominated the industry for a while.
According to him, the industry has only gone through metamorphosis especially in technical knowledge and artistry which has made production easier.
Kabat, who said that the debate was unnecessary, added “if there were to be divisions, the ‘old Nollywood’ still holds sway.’’
“The ‘new Nollywood’ has increased the value of our movie industry but they are gradually losing the real touch of Nollywood.
“There are lots of iconic characters in the ‘old Nollywood’ unlike the ‘new Nollywood’.
“We have actors like Black Arrow, Mr Ibu, Aki and Pawpaw, Okonkwo and Ukwa from there” he said.(NAN)
AEE/EAL
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