Entertainment
Nollywood Glows At Paris Festival
A recent report has re
vealed how Nollywood shined while being celebrated in pans-Nollywood film festival.
For four days, Pans came alive with the Vivid colours of Nigerian prints, and the sound of Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo on the occasion of Paris’ fourth Nollywood film festival that ended on Sunday. Spectators didn’t just get a glimpse of some of the hottest films in Nigerian cinema, but a better insight into their hard-won success.
It’s seen as an African success story, that transcends the boundaries of even Nigeria. Yet the cradle of African cinema almost never made it to the big screen. “If you consider the conditions in which Nigerian producers are working, it’s amazing to work in those conditions and today be the second film producer in the world,” co-founder of the Nollywood festival Serge Noukoue’ told RFI.
Second in the world only to India’s famous Bollywood, and churning out 2,000 or more movies per year, Nollywood is now bigger than Hollywood. A while back, such a scenario would have been unthinkable. Poor or wobbly have often been the adjectives that have dominated the prose of film critics when rating Nigeria cinema. Not anymore. It was gathered that the spectators at the Nollywood festival all praised the quality of the films in competition.
Topping the billing, was Kunle Afolayan’s “the CEO”, bringing together an all-African cast for a mystery packed adventure involving five top executives, who are eliminated one after the other during a leadership retreat gone wrong. The film boasts Benin’s grammy-award winning singer, Angelique Kidjo, and state of the art imagery, a firm criterion for Afolayan who is determined to see Nollywood advance to the next level. “The perception of Africa in the film industry is that we are all poor. That is not the Africa I am from,” Afolayan told RFI. “Africa needs to be celebrated, and the world needs to know that we can have luxury as well, even if problems remain in terms of order,” he said.
His arrival at the festival aboard an Airbus jet, where some 200 vip guests were treated is an indication of Afolayan’s determination to take Nollywood from second to first class.
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.’
