Our Reporter, New York
Nigeria-born, US-based Nollywood actor and producer Oliver Mbamara, has expressed optimism that the Nigerian film industry can attain the same global status as Nigerian music if industry practitioners do the required work.
The star of the upcoming movie “Adopted,” made the remarks during an exclusive interview with Rudolf Okonkwo on 90MinutesAfrica on Sunday.
“Nollywood can compete on the global stage like the music industry, but we have to do the work,” the actor cum administrative law judge stated.
He continued, “We are a very creative set of people. I pray we have a government that can tap into this creativity and do a lot of things with it. With our enormous talent, I believe that we can get to the point where we can dominate globally, but we have to do the work.”
The author of the upcoming book, “Gates of Tangled Leaves,” further stated that no one believed that Nigerian music could reach the height it has attained today and that we could replicate the same thing in the movie industry.
“You hear Nigerian music being played in New York clubs now. Initially, it was Nollywood that went ahead, and then the music industry came and took over. Nigerians can take anything and turn it into a success. We have a lot of talented people in the country,” the movie director said.
He also advised actors to avoid taking sides in political contestations as their followers may expect a more objective assessment of situations from them.
“As an actor or even a creative content producer, you have an avenue that people look up to,” the lead actor in the dance drama, “Prisoners of the Kalakari,” reminded his colleagues.
“When you say things, they take it, and even if you realize later that you were wrong, they have already taken it and gone away with it, so it would be difficult to take it back. So, usually, it is good to sit at the back and try to make sure you provide both sides with the opportunity to make the choices that are educative,” he stated.
“Of course, we don’t sit down and do nothing. We should do all we can to provide the opportunity for those who look up to us to learn and make informed decisions,” he said.
