Spunkless Nollywood Pomp!

The Nigerian film industry, popularly known as Nollywood, has been criticized for prioritizing "pomp" over "spunk." While "pomp" refers to the flashy, extravagant, and often shallow productions that dominate the Nigerian box office, "spunk" represents the authentic, impactful, and memorable films that truly resonate with audiences. However, a new wave of filmmakers is changing the game, focusing on crafting stories that are original, authentic, and impactful.

 Commercial Success and Repetition

Biodun Stephen(Sista-2022)’s analogy of opening a shop selling rice and fried stew perfectly captures the trend. Once a particular film genre or style proves lucrative, filmmakers flock to replicate it. It's a business strategy driven by financial gains. But this approach often leads to a lack of creativity and originality, leaving audiences feeling empty and unsatisfied.

 The Camera and Choices

Biodun Stephen's point about blindly following camera choices is crucial. Sometimes, success isn't solely about technical aspects. It's about timing, relatability, and emotional resonance. Filmmakers should dig deeper into why certain choices worked. For instance, her film "Sista" is a spunky production that explores themes of family, love, and identity in a relatable and impactful way.

 Risk and Return

Filmmaking is indeed a gamble. Creators weigh artistic vision against commercial viability. If profit is the sole motive, decisions may prioritize market trends over artistic integrity. Finding the balance is an ongoing challenge. However, films like "Honey Money" directed by Ekene Som Mekwunye, and "Breath of Life" that won the AMVCA Award 2024, show that it's possible to create commercially successful films that are also authentic and impactful.

 Simplicity vs. Spectacle

Not every film needs razzle-dazzle. Sometimes, simplicity resonates more with audiences. Think of heartwarming stories set in Nigerian villages—their authenticity and relatability can be powerful. Spunky Nollywood movies like "The Set Up" by Niyi Akinmolayan, "Elevator Baby" by Akay Mason, and "Ratnik" by Dauda Bisiriyu prove that simplicity can be more effective than spectacle.

 The Way Forward

As Nollywood continues to evolve, it's essential that filmmakers prioritize "spunk" over "pomp." This means focusing on crafting stories that are original, authentic, and impactful, rather than relying on lavish sets, fancy cinematography, and big-name stars. It means creating characters that are relatable, flawed, and human, rather than cardboard cutouts or stereotypes. And it means exploring themes that are timely, relevant, and thought-provoking, rather than superficial and shallow.

 The Spunky Trailblazers

The Nigerian film industry has witnessed a surge in productions that prioritize spectacle over substance, relying heavily on lavish sets, fancy cinematography, and big-name stars to impress audiences. However, a select few films have managed to capture the essence of Nollywood, telling stories that resonate deeply with audiences, featuring characters that are relatable and flawed, and exploring themes that are both timely and timeless. These movies possess a certain "spunk," a je ne sais quoi(flashy with low quality) that sets them apart from the rest.

 I may not fully agree about The Wedding Party (2016), a romantic comedy that charmed audiences with its witty dialogue, relatable characters, and nuanced exploration of love, family and identity. It was sometime said to be arguably flopping in storytelling, but was Directed by Kemi Adetiba renowned filmmaker. The movie boasts a talented cast, including Adesua Etomi, Banky W, and Richard Mofe Damijo, but it's the film's "spunk" that truly makes it shine. The movie's ability to balance humor and heart, while tackling complex themes, makes it a standout in Nollywood.

 The Arbitration (2016), a thought-provoking drama, delves into the world of corporate finance, exploring themes of power, greed, and morality. Directed by Niyi Akinmolayan, the movie features a talented cast, including OC Ukeje, Adesua Etomi, and Ireti Doyle, but it's the film's "spunk" that sets it apart. The movie's clever script, coupled with its well-crafted characters, makes it a gripping watch that lingers long after the credits roll.

 The Spunkless Flops

 On the other hand, there are movies like Jenifa in London (2011), a comedy sequel that relies heavily on its predecessor's success, but lacks the original's charm and wit. The movie's predictable plot, coupled with its lazy, unfunny humor, makes it a forgettable watch. The film's "pomp" – its lavish sets, fancy costumes, and big-name stars – cannot compensate for its lack of "spunk," leaving audiences underwhelmed and unimpressed.

 Another example is Honeymoon Hotel (2014), a romantic comedy that tries to be funny but ends up being shallow and predictable. The movie's weak plot, coupled with its lack of chemistry between the leads, makes it a disappointing watch. The film's "pomp" – its flashy cinematography, expensive sets, and big-name stars – cannot hide its lack of "spunk," leaving audiences feeling empty and unsatisfied.