Entertainment News
“Nigerian Movies Are Rubbish, Nollywood Has Flooded Africa” – Richard Bell, Kenyan TV CEO
Oct 26, 2013 – “Nigerian Movies Are Rubbish, Nollywood Has Flooded Africa” – Richard Bell, Kenyan TV CEO
Kenyan PayTV Boss appeared linear in his thinking, for describing Nigerian movies as “Rubbish”. Bell, Chief Executive Officer of Wananchi Group was speaking at the East Africa Communication Conference and Exhibition which took place in Nairobi, Kenya recently, saying that “African content should not be just about rubbish Nigerian movie.” He claimed to be having the widest variety of content on DTH.
No doubt, Bell’s position completely negates a general feeling across Africa, where Nigerian movies are seen as pivot of the developing African cinema industry. And in my modest thinking, the man is more frustrated than confused in an attempt to create a non-existing business model. His unrealistic sense of reasoning; his supposed catch for a market that has been totally taken over by Multichoice appears to be his major setback, and he might just remain alone, in the cold, for a long time.
The last time I checked, ‘rubbish’ refers to a worthless material that is to be disposed of; a junk, scrap or trash. Haba! This man sure has an antecedent for careless talks. I do know that mad men sometimes make sense out of nothing. His, I cannot really place. Bell, whose fledging pay TV operation in Kenya is struggling unsuccessfully to unseat DSTV in East Africa sure did not sound well, because AfricaMagic channel is one of the major content platforms for which, he is far from catching up with his rival.
If you ask me, a viable business model is one that conforms to trend. But Bell must just be living in a virtual world and his thoughts must have astonished his audience.
Forbes, despite its criticisms, has remained a major player in covering the world of business and finance. The magazine once described Nollywood as the next big thing in world cinema. Quoting the medium; “Just believe it. Nigeria’s movie industry is thriving, and it’s about time you took notice. Fondly referred to as Nollywood, it is now an $800 million industry, providing employment for about 300,000 people as actors, directors, marketers and distributors.
“After Hollywood, it is the second largest in the worldeven bigger than India’s Bollywood. Nigerian movies are immensely popular, particularly in Africa, where they currently outsell Hollywood films, and Nollywood stars are much more popular on the continent than their Hollywood counterparts.” Such positive statements are product of research, deep thinking, objective business appraisal and not a defeatist’s notions like that of Bell.
The magazine had noted that “chances are that Kenyans or Malawians will better recognize Genevieve Nnaji and Ramsey Nouah (both Nollywood idols), than Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington. Nollywood has come a long way from where it started 20 years ago.
“Before now, Western critics were usually quick to dismiss the quality of its productions as poor, the industry as amateurish, its talent as sloppy and its future as bleak.
Yes, like it reasoned “movies were made on the cheap- a typical budget ranged anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000. Shoots were rushed; they rarely lasted a week. Cheap digital equipment and cameras were mostly used, and directors were untrained”, but “the Nigerian movie industry is experiencing an evolution. The quality of their movies is much better than ever before; their actors are better financially compensated; directors and other professionals in the industry are travelling overseas to institutions like the New York Film Academy to hone their skills.
“Investors and businessmen are pouring more substantial financial resources into the production of better quality flicks. Nowadays, its common place to see movies produced on a 6- figure budget, which is a major improvement from the past.
“In 2009, Kunle Afolayan, a leading Nigerian movie producer, raised about $300,000 to shoot Figurine, an outstanding production which premiered on local and international cinemas and went on to win 5 stars at the African Movie Academy Awards, our very own version of the Oscars.
“Several Nigerian movie producers and directors are following suit. But this is just the beginning: Nollywood is coming of age; its producers and other leading lights are more ambitious than ever before, and they are catching up with Hollywood, slowly albeit steadily. With time, the industry will be rewarded with the critical reception it currently lacks among great world cinema.”
If the analysis made above is anything to go by, Bell should just keep quiet and get for himself, the appetite to lick the wounds of his failed business with a sorry heart.
[The Nation]
Abi omorogbe
October 26, 2013 at 11:30 AM
This richard is a jealous f**l what is your problem with Nollywood circulating Africa?
wemz
October 26, 2013 at 12:29 PM
Bed,Dell or dead what ever u call ‘ursef. You are a bunch of frustrated phlegmatic paparossy krinkumkim to have addressed Nollywood as “rubbish”. What an idiotic expression!
walex
October 26, 2013 at 1:11 PM
he is just a frustrated entity
L c
October 26, 2013 at 2:12 PM
As far as I’m concerned Nigerian and Ghanian Movies are the best in this whole wide world one can ever fine, I’m not a Nigerian or Ghanian —I’m a Gambia but to be honest with you Nigerian movies Teaches me a lot I cannot count I mean anything in life —–so Mr Richard you maybe In title to your opinion but I disagree with you on this one —pls take time watch some of those Movies especially a traditional one—pls my Brother rethink about your comment .
daisy
October 26, 2013 at 2:14 PM
never mind what the white man say.they feel that they would always trample over us,and keep us in the dirt,But there is a complete turnover now.the black race has overcome,and this has them troubled.we hv come a long way,and no barriers can stop us.this man is just envious of the progress of nollywood.too bad.i dont watch hollywood anymore,my tv/computer is always glued onto africa.wetern influence always destroy the goods things in our society.he should SHUT UP if is only SHIT that comes out from his mouth.
vinto
October 26, 2013 at 2:30 PM
pls may i ask this man something ,are you an African what is your business with an African thing ,You are a fool to call Nollywood rubbish ,go fuck yourself Nollywood remains the best in African ,you Ba ga ,Mumu .
obinna
October 26, 2013 at 2:35 PM
if the movies are from united kingdom or america you will give them award in the oscar, but because is from nigeria is rubbish nnde? your, your father,your mother,your family and friends are rubbish. the time has passed when we use to think that white people have sence. black will rule this world the time is come, the white civilization will soon end and it has started.
blessing phillip
October 27, 2013 at 5:29 PM
Dat is a question is bell someone name or an animal name,Nollywood r nt ready to change seriously,dey r actin what will please dem n nt what someone can lean frm it.D movies den is far batter Dan nw
kheria
October 26, 2013 at 2:39 PM
this stupid frestrated white man don mind him he is full and stupip perio
lamido
October 26, 2013 at 2:44 PM
Bell get it wrong, If nollywood is rubbish, what about hollywood? majority of films release by hollywood in a year are rubbish, bell didn’t know nothing about nollywood bell should keep quiet.time is coming when Nigerian movies will win oscars Mr bell just wait and see stupid ignorant man.
Miss Grande
October 26, 2013 at 2:55 PM
BUT HE HAS A POINT… OUT OF ANY 10 NIGERIA MOVIE THAT IS RELEASED NA ONLY 2 GO MAKE SMALL SENSE.
Mae
October 26, 2013 at 5:33 PM
Ds white boy doesn’t ve anythin syin… I dnt think he has a normal brain.. F*** him!
Bleadze
October 26, 2013 at 5:39 PM
Am British Nigerian, I’m happy Nigerian movies give a lot of people jobs, I hate indian movies they dance a lot and sing every min, but being honest I prefer it to Nigerian movies they are more original, there is no real originality in Nigerian movies, or I can watch ten different Nigerian movies and only the same actors and actresses are in all this movies, or the story lines, all the same… Half the actors and actresses can’t act even the famous ones there is more to acting than shouting….there’s a lot I can say…. Yh some times Nigerian movies are funny as fuk nice to watch, but when you really look at it, it’s like them drama ish we act in primary school, the camera effect is a joke…
Miriam Anukem
October 26, 2013 at 6:35 PM
You British son of a BITCH! You are in Kenya being a millionaire off of Africans! Have you vultures not eaten enough of African flesh? You are jealous cause OF and their ingenuity!
YES! WE MAKE WONDERFUL MOVIES AND THE STORY PLOT IS ONLY RELEVANT TO OUR SOCIETY! SINCE YOU DO NOT LIKE IT THEN TAKE A HIKE!
Nollywood is here to stay and can only grow and learn from their mistakes!As for our movies? we owe no bastard like you no apologies!
Bleadze
October 27, 2013 at 8:22 AM
First of all am schooling in canada atm cause my parents can afford it I’ve never been to Kenya… And you sound retarded, your foolish so is all your family members, I gave my opinion and it’s facts!! If you’ve got an opinion share it, don’t start writing to me like your brave what cause your hiding behind a cafe computer cause I know you can’t afford one… Go and finish school and maybe by the grace of God you would help nollywood make good movies loool
Bleadze
October 27, 2013 at 8:31 AM
And go audition to be an actress it seems like your the shouting type lol!!! Don’t get it twisted my point is nollywood need better actors and actresses, some one like him Iyke is very good and a few more… All the story lines are similar and the directors and writers should bring something new to the table… That’s all I’m saying am not saying nollywood is gonna get destroyed or something like that am just saying they should grow… Look at the camera effects they use in witch type movie lool it’s a joke being honest…. All am saying is they should fix that, almost every Nigerian based film looks like it was done in a week, some times the background music over shadows the actors and actresses voice… Facts…look at movies like ije and the new movie yuvone Nelson making they Africans but look how awesome those movies were, cause they used directors and producers who actually know what they doing am African aswell but be real to your self and stop saying shit without thinking
Miriam Anukem
October 26, 2013 at 6:44 PM
You British son of a BITCH! You vultures that have been devouring Africa and it’s wealth and becoming millionaires off of us for centuries now! You are jealous because of Nigeria and our enterprising abilities. You cry aloud cause we have cut into your pockets. Nollywood makes quality movies that are RELEVANT to our society!Who by the way made you the Hollywood USA of movies? You don’t like our movies? here are two options:TAKE A HIKE, OR LOOK FOR THE TALLEST BUILDING IN NAIROBI AND TAKE A FLYING LEAP FROM IT TO YOUR GRAVE!
samson adam
October 26, 2013 at 7:47 PM
Crazy,frustrated and failure man,he is trying to convince us idiot.
Gideon
October 26, 2013 at 8:01 PM
Bell U are just envy of Nigeria movie, better U ask them to link U to business dan showing Ur stupid arrogant. Bad fellow. U are one of does fool who think Nigeria cannot grow. Pls wake up from Ur slumber cause Nigeria is growing more dan U can ever imagine. Sly!!!
angela
October 26, 2013 at 8:18 PM
Mr Bell or whatever u call ur self, the best option for u now is to go an commit sucide cos u havent seen anytin yet. Greedy foolish man. U wish u were a nigerian, but u will never b ok? So glue ur self in dat ur niaraobi, we dont need u here at all. ” bad belle”. No wonder ur name is bell. Na so so bell u go dey ring till u die. Anu ofia.
ose
October 26, 2013 at 9:32 PM
hahhahahha,angela u re so funny.yes na so so bell he go de ring
Denkovie
October 26, 2013 at 10:09 PM
Is Bell som1’s name or a name of a dog? Well, ur era of taking Africans into slavery and making them look inferior is over. If u cnt wake up from ds ur nightmare, then it’s tym 24 u 2 b buried. Africans are far better than u red and pork monkeys. RIP Bell cos u just want 2 ring.
lenny kravitz
October 27, 2013 at 7:47 AM
Mr Bell is right ,nollywood is rubbish .Sometimes i wonder if those morons see their movies ,highly void of concept .
Patoya
October 27, 2013 at 2:46 PM
Stop watching Nollywood then! It is not like anyone will notice.A lot of my friends from the West Indies buy Nollywood movies to send back home to their countries. Most nollywood stars are even more popular there than you can imagine. Our movies are not made for little minded people like you.
mak
October 27, 2013 at 12:44 PM
This guy talking rubish. i’m not Nigerian but only movies i watching is nigerian movies. if he doesnt something shu up ur mouths
daisy
October 27, 2013 at 3:52 PM
those ppl who r supporting bell,i dont blame you.thats the kind of mentality the white man hv put within you,fighting each other,killing each other so that there will not be progress amongst us,in general getting rid of the black race,where they put enmity between us.have’nt black ppl realise that?the more they try to destroy us the more we RISE,NEVER TO GIVE UP,and thats troubles them.we are strong ,some of us just have not realise that yet.they might hv beaten us,enslaved us ,killed us ,rape us,mutilated us,burned us,taken us waway from our country of birth,ets,YET STILL WE RISE,today and beyond.
esther s aliyu
October 28, 2013 at 9:44 AM
whites or should I be more original and call you people” afin oyile ” I want to ask this racist Bell a question ; Bell Bell Bell what is your problem with nollywood and why are you drinking panadol for our own headache ? pls mind your stupid business because its obvious you are affected by us close down market that’s why you are calling for Africa like Nigeria to connect you into acting ayah I serriouly understand BUT we dnt want afin’s like you here ok ‘ so pls deal with your racist problem because is soo worst to no that a black man like barack obama is rulling ur forking ass .sorry we are stonger and no more of your slavry .
truellyspeaking
October 28, 2013 at 8:38 PM
i dont really like d adjetive he use in nollywood quantificaton,gone r d days wen nollywood stand for moralty,factual and entertainin.i tell u nolly wood is as good as pornography,sexual explicit espcially since d inversion of abominable ghananians, porn stars….i advice for an educatin ,n entatnin movie go by season foreign film dan nigerian junks of movie
Cherryberry
October 29, 2013 at 1:26 AM
If u dn’t like nollywood movies,go&jump into d lagoon,cos nollywood movies hv come 2 stay,big,strong&untouchable. Lol. Onyibo fools!.
Cherryberry
October 29, 2013 at 1:51 AM
Again dt rminds me, u’r rlly a bell as ur name goes;cos i’v alwz knwn a church bell or a classroom bell 2 hv a vry wide mouth like urs&ur supporters,&empty whch meks u mek d loudst noise like u’r mekin rite now. Even if we’v a prblm,is it in ur place 2 correct us?,mr. i too knw am askin u?,mtcheeeew……,dn’t let me blast u. We’ll sort our prblms by ourslves ok,we dn’t nid ur stupid advise. Ovablown bby elephant like u!.
Nathan
November 1, 2013 at 5:14 AM
YOU FELLAS HAVE SAID IT ALL, TO SUMMERIZED THE WHOLE THING, HE SHOULD EAT SHIT AND DIE.