There are folks who think they love Nollywood more than any creature. But that was until a young up and coming filmmaker of Nigerian/Cameroonian descent, based in the United States, Ihuoma Mambo Atanga, emerged on the scene. This lady has spent the last one year directing a documentary on everything Nollywood- interviews, behind-the- scenes actions, and thought-provoking debate about the state of Nigeria’s movie industry. For her, it’s a fascinating project.
The film is called True Story Nollywood and it highlights various subjects of discourse surrounding the topic, among prominent Nollywood filmmakers and people based in her current city of residence, New York City, including renowned Nollywood Director, Tunde Kelani. In this interview, Mambo Atanga talks about her love for Nollywood and more. Excerpts:
What is it about Nollywood that you love?
What I love about Nollywood is the attachment to reality of the stories in almost all the films. These stories have learnt to flow in congruence with the language, quality and context of the present society. I love the rawness of the street noise, the sound of Nkem Owoh swallowing garri and insulting his wife, who suffered to cook it. I love the lingo “How do you mean?” Nollywood speaks to the reality of not only Nigerians, but also the average West African person. The films are dramatic and enjoyable in all its imperfections.
Who’s your favourite Nollywood star?
My word! That’s a hard one. I’m a Nollywood baby, in that I grew up at the inception era of Nollywood, as we know it. So, my favourite Nollywood star has changed times without number since I started watching the films. For now, I’d say it’s Nse Ikpe; the girl delivers effortlessly. Someone needs to give her more challenging roles in major productions.
What was your inspiration behind making this film about the Nigerian movie industry?
My inspiration stemmed from the passionate chatter I hear in Harlem braiding salons about the change in the films, Chimamanda’s Danger of a Single Story, my peers’ sudden interest in all things Nollywood, Binyavanga Wainaina’s How To Write About Africa, and my biggest inspiration of them all, Achille Mbembe’s African Modes of self-writing. After reading Mbembe’s book, I began to question what it means to produce/reproduce stories that are authentically African. Nollywood is no longer Nigeria specific; it covers Nigeria, Ghana, and well a tiny bit of Cameroon. Furthermore, because Nollywood is the third largest film industry in the world, the stories that emanate from its films can no longer be ignored. It is not just stories about Africa, but it is stories about Africa by Africans to the world. Someone needed to talk about these stories and their impact on the African narrative as a whole. So, I’m taking up that cross through this short documentary.
Give us some background about your film:
True Story Nollywood is a short documentary about the authenticity of the African narrative in Nollywood films. It is safe to say that Nollywood has evolved. However, it has come to my attention that not everyone thinks it is necessary for all aspects of the industry to evolve. The main reason being the, “preservation of the cultural authenticity” in their films.
I FORESEE A NOLLYWOOD THAT PRODUCES HIGHER QUALITY FILMS, ONE WITH EVEN MORE CLOUT, AND A DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF FILMS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF AN INCREASE IN THE QUALITY OF ITS FILMS
Where do you see Nollywood in five years’ time?
At the rate at which it is growing, I foresee a Nollywood that produces higher quality films, one with even more clout, and a decrease in the number of films produced as a result of an increase in the quality of its films. Because a girl has the right to dream, I foresee a change in the industry’s name from Nollywood to something more authentic, like, let’s see… Ulötola (Latola- first film production company in Nigeria- Ulö- Igbo for house/home) or any name of the sort, which is more representative the industry.
What’s your favorite film?
My favorite has to be Shirley Frimpong Manso’s A Sting in a Tale. There isn’t a moment free of suspense; the story was just as beautiful as it was complex. There is just enough tragedy to trigger your deepest emotions, enough laughter to keep you going and suspense to keep you hoping. Majid and Adjetey Anang never disappoint. So, it’s a must watch.
How did you come across some of the movies?
I migrated, like every other Nollywood fanatic, from NollywoodLove on YouTube and other platforms.
