Entertainment
Producers Rebrand Nollywood With New Block Buster Movies
The Nigerian producers
have taken Nollywood to greater heights with new block buster movies that are of international standards which have also helped to rebrand the industry within and outside the country. Though some of these movies have not had impressive outing at the cinemas during their premiers, most of the new movies have won commendable credibility at the box office with impressive sales.
Movies like Ije, Figurine, Anchor Baby. Last flight, Mirrow boy, Return of Jennifer, the meeting etc, have sold out millions of copies and in most cases dwarfed Hollywood movies. Recently, the producers stormed the cinema houses across the country with new movies for premieres most of which have recorded huge success. They include the following:
1) When Dreams Fall Apart: This new block buster flick was premiered recently at Victoria Island, Lagos. It is produced by Chico Ejiro and features Nollywood A-list acts namely: Segun Arinze, Fred Amata, Saint Obi, Monalisa Chinda and Ibinabo Fiberesima etc.
The premiere of the movie was attended by several stars who came to witness what they called a new dawn in the movie industry. The movie was sponsored by IDL as one on its numerous commitments in re-entrenching the IDL concept, “The Spirit of Niger,” which is resilient spirit that never dies nor gives up.
According to the Brand Manager, Veleta fruit wine, Chioma Alonge, this is not just another movie, it is a movie with a message never goven up, never throw up in the towel, which is exactly what Lupita Ngongo emphasised in her acceptance speech at the 2014 Oscar award for best supporting actress for her role in the movie “12 Years A Slave.”
According to her, “whoever you are, your dreams are valid, never throw in the towel.
2) Render to Ceaser: Another interesting movie is render to Ceaser which is a new drama cum crime movie that brought Omoni Oboli to bear in the long awaited flick.
The movie produced by Desmond Nbiagele saw Omoni delivering an impressive role alongside an array of Nigeria finest acting talents including Gbenga Akinnagbe, Wale Ojo, Kalu Ikeagwu, Bimbo Manuel, Dede Mbieku, Lucky Ejim, Chris Iheuwa, Kehinde Bankole and several others.
The movie examines themes of crime and corruption, psychological trauma as well as friendship. It chronicles the journey of two friends who return home from abroad to join a special programme in the police force as detectives. They are immediately assigned the daunting mission to him and apprehended a psychotic crime lord wreaking havoc in Africa’s most popular city.
Compounding their lack of progress is a series of derogatory editorials published by a popular, but prejudiced media entrepreneur and monitored by increasingly irritated police affairs minister and just when the detectives finally box their adversary into a corner, he responds with a joker that not only turns the game on its head, but threatens to alter the lives of its players permently.
Popular businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, has said that his relationship with singer Davido is beyond money and gossip.
He stated this in a recent interview with BBC Igbo.
“Davido is my friend. He is my in-law; he married Chioma who is from Imo State where I hail from.
“So the relationship I have with Davido is beyond money and gossip,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that Chief Priest disclosed via his Instagram page that his outfit for the wedding of the singer, Davido and his wife, Chioma, in Lagos on Tuesday cost seven million Naira.
The socialite recently appreciated Davido for not “discarding” Chioma.
He stated that the DMW boss has made Imo State proud by choosing to marry from the state.
Nigerian singer Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has lent her voice to the ongoing anti-tax hike protests in Kenya.
The Tide’s source reports that Kenyan youths are marching against tax hike in widespread demonstrations tagged ‘RejectFinanceBill2024.’
Five people were shot dead and dozens wounded after police clashed with protesters who stormed the parliament building in Nairobi on Tuesday, according to Amnesty Kenya.
Reacting via her X handle on Tuesday night, Simi declared her support for the demonstrators.
She stated that “it is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights.”
The singer wrote, “I stand with the people of Kenya. It is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights. Godspeed and Strength. [Hash tag] RejectFinanceBill2024.”
In a series of other posts, she wrote: “Wow. When you’ve had enough, the fight is almost inevitable.
“African leaders- have not you done enough?
“I can’t wait for the day Africa is not a weapon fashioned against Africans. All of this amazing Black power and human resource, but the majority are not likely to thrive unless they run.”
Famous Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Davido was spotted among other top artistes at Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour concert in Atlanta, Georgia.
Asake’s performance at his sold-out show at the 17,000-capacity State Farm Arena in Atlanta began on August 16, 2024, and is set to run for 10 days.
In a trending video on social media, Davido appeared backstage with American rapper Quavo to support Asake during the live performance.
Other musicians in attendance included Nigerian hitmaker Zlatan and American rapper Russ Millions.
The Tide’s source reports that Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour is set to cover six U.S. cities, where he will headline notable venues including Madison Square Garden in New York, the Toyota Center in Houston, and the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Asake’s tour comes just days after the release of his latest hit, ‘Lungu Boy,’ which features several superstars, including Wizkid, British rappers Central Cee and Stormzy, Travis Scott and Brazilian singer Ludmilla.
‘Lungu Boy’ set a new record for the biggest opening week on Spotify Nigeria, garnering 18.9 million streams in its opening week and breaking the previous record of 14.4 million streams held by Davido’s ‘Timeless.’