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Ex Lagos State Commissioner, Steve Ayorinde, Launches Book Celebrating New Nigerian Cinema

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Renowned Nigerian journalist, film critic, television host, and former Commissioner for Tourism Arts & Culture in Lagos State, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, is set to unveil his latest masterpiece, a book that celebrates the landmark achievements and outstanding practitioners in the Nigerian film industry, at an exclusive launch event in Lagos on Thursday, May 18, 2023.

The book, titled ‘30: Three Decades Of The New Nigerian Cinema – A Bystander’s Verdict’, charts three decades of the Nigerian film industry, highlighting thirty (30) outstanding films, directors, actors, actresses and departed Nollywood figures who deserve special recognition for their artistic achievements and impact on the industry’s growth. Having honed his trade as a cub reporter, editor and columnist, editor-in-chief and member of the jury for film festivals, Mr. Ayorinde’s selections in the book are based on close encounters and a deep understanding of the film and cultural landscape of Nigeria.

Nollywood, one of the fastest-growing movie industries in the world, is projected to reach a revenue of $14.8 billion by 2025. From its humble beginnings of self-funding and self-help in the early 1990s, the industry has experienced remarkable growth thanks to dedicated pioneers and talented creatives who have driven it to new heights. Thus, documenting the history that informs this remarkable projection is part of a broader, larger purpose.

In the preface of the book, Ayorinde shares the inspiration behind the endeavour. According to him, “This book simply seeks to celebrate and document some of the outstanding films, directors, actors and landmark events, which have in the past 30 years or thereabout, defined the industry we now celebrate today; without forgetting other legendary names that played their parts but who are no more on planet earth.”

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Foregrounding the significance of the project in the book’s foreword, respected scholar and Nollywood advocate, Prof. Jonathan Haynes, emphasises his delight with the endeavor and highlights the author’s credibility. “Ayorinde has moved around but he’s never lost sight of the movies, and the fruits of decades of steady observation and judgment are here in this new book, which I’m pleased to be able to help welcome into the world”, he wrote.

From timeless classics like Asewo To Re Mecca, Living in Bondage, Glamour Girls and Mortal Inheritance to recent box office hits like King of Boys and Eyimofe; faces such as the legendary Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, Pete Edochie and Richard Mofe-Damijo to the scintillating Bolanle Austen-Peters and dashing Damini Egbuson, among others, 30: Three Decades of The New Nigerian Cinema – A Bystander’s Verdict presents a vibrant panorama of the films and personalities that have reshaped and revolutionized the Nigerian film industry in the past three decades.

On its launch on Thursday, May 18, 2023, the 184-page book with six intriguing chapters will be available in leading bookstores such as Roving Heights, Terra Kulture, Alliance Francaise, The Book Sellers, and the University of Ibadan bookshop, allowing readers to savor the captivating narratives and personalities that have propelled Nigerian cinema to its current heights.

Steve Ayorinde is the CEO of Patrons Media, publisher of The Culture Newspaper. He is also a TV Anchor and Analyst on Arise TV in Lagos, Nigeria.

He studied Music at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Nigeria, and earned a Master’s degree in Globalization and Communications from the University of Leicester in the UK. His career in journalism began in 1991 at the Guardian Newspapers, before he moved on to The Comet. Years later, at The Punch, he rose through the ranks to become the Daily Editor of Nigeria’s largest circulation newspaper. He was also the MD/Editor-in-Chief of National Mirror newspapers between 2011 and 2013.

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A strong promoter of arts and culture in Nigeria, Ayorinde served as the Commissioner for Information & Strategy and later Tourism, Arts and Culture in Lagos State between 2015 and 2019.
A prolific writer who has written several books, his works have contributed to inspiring discourses in the industry. Masterpieces: A Critic’s Timeless Report (Spectrum Books, 2008); Abokede: The Man, the Hill, the City (ArtPillar Books, 2011) and Cascade of Change: A Decade of Liberal Thoughts (Liberal publishing, 2015), are some of the titles in his repertoire.

The launch of his new book will no doubt add a valuable contribution to Nigeria’s creative landscape, providing accurate information about the remarkable journey of the New Nigerian Cinema, and documenting them for posterity.

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Niyi Akinmolayan reveals his favourite scene in Jagun Jagun

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Niyi Akinmolayan, a renowned Nigerian filmmaker and founder of Antill Studios, the post production company behind the blockbuster hit Jagun Jagun, recently shocked fans and critics alike by declaring that his favourite scene in the movie is not the much-talked-about flying fighter scene but rather the intense moment when Moyale, played by Adebowale Adedayo, kills a recruit, Olatayo Amokade, popularly known as Ijebu.

Jagun Jagun, a high-octane action-packed film set in a fictional African kingdom, has been widely praised for its breathtaking visual effects and captivating storyline. The movie follows the journey of Gbotija, played by Lateef Adedimeji, a young warrior destined to defeat an evil and ruthless warlord, Ogunjimi (Femi Adebayo).

ALSO READ: Aliu Gafar raises the bar in Femi Adebayo’s Jagun Jagun

Akinmolayan’s admission came as a surprise to many, as the flying fighter scene, featuring Adamson Ibrahim, who was also the stunts coordinator of the movie, soaring through the sky while battling a fighter, had gained widespread attention and was considered one of the film’s highlights. Nevertheless, the director’s choice to emphasise Macaroni’s pivotal moment in the plot has sparked a new wave of interest and speculation among fans.

In the climactic scene Akinmolayan favoured, Macaroni, one of the lieutenants of the warlord, figures out and confronts Ijebu, a brave infiltrator of the camp. The tense encounter showcases Macaroni’s agility and deadly combat skills as he engages in a thrilling sword fight with Ijebu, who was nameless in the movie. The intense struggle eventually culminates in a shocking turn of events when Macaroni emerges victorious, effectively eliminating the threat Ijebu posed to the warlord.

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Explaining his surprising choice, Akinmolayan revealed that he came about the need for the two actors to have a strong moment in the movie few hours to shooting. He also explained that the stunts coordinator was able to come up with the masterstroke in just three hours.

Everyone is talking about this scene but my fav is the macaroni killing Ijebu scene. We came up with it 12hrs before the shoot. I told him to work something out for macaroni and Ijebu so they can have a strong moment in the film. In 3hrs, Adams came up with something and the actors became fighting machines. It was as if he programmed them. If you are serious about stunt work in your film, Adam is the person you should talk to,” he wrote.

jagun jagun

Hmm, Akinmolayan’s choice resonates with us too as we don’t also believe the flying warrior scene is really spectacular. What about you?

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AMAA Receives 389 Entries From 45 Countries, Screening Begins

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Despite the shocking demise of its founder, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) and the Board of the global award organisation have approved the commencement of preparation for film selection ahead of the next edition of the awards.

The AMAA Screening College has opened to sort through the 389 entries from over 45 countries already submitted for consideration.

Renowned film critic and academic and chairman of the college, Dr. Shaibu Husseini, disclosed that the screening would be carried out in three stages before successful entries will be forwarded to the Board of the International Jury of the award.
The board will then determine the films that will make it into the 26 categories of the award.

“We have got the approval of the board to commence the process for this year’s AMAA award after the tragedy of the demise of the founder. AMAA is a legacy of Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, which we will preserve and continue to nurture in her honour. The Screening College has started work. We have three stages of screening with the last stage being the College of Screeners and films selected from the three stages of selection will qualify for nomination as will be decided by Board of AMAA International Jury,” Husseini said.

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The first stage is the pre-selection, which will last four weeks. This stage involves film critics, film scholars, filmmakers, and enthusiasts from across the continent to ensure that only the best of the entries make the final selection cut.

Next, the college will begin screening at the level of the College of Screeners; this will last another two weeks before the jurors meet to decide the nominees that will be announced at the nomination event.

AMAA announced a call for entries on December 1, 2022, with a late call for entries fixed for June 30, 2023.

“Recall that the late founder announced timelines for AMAA 2023 at a press conference on December 1. The Board of AFA intends for us to work with that timeline. So we are working with the Board to ensure that we meet the date that PMO had fixed for the main award event,” the College Chairman added.

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“African Women Are Petty To Each Other” – Nollywood Actress, Mary Njoku Reveals

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Nollywood actress and ROKTV boss, Mary Njoku, has opined that African women are petty to each other which destroys the bond of sisterhood.

The movie star, in a post shared on her Instagram page, stated that little misunderstanding among women always leads to long-time malice.

Remmy Njoku advised that people should learn to let go of words not said to their faces and learn to tolerate each other, adding it is the only way they can grow together.

She wrote: “African women are so petty to each other. Small misunderstanding, 5 years of malice. I heard you said I am yellow, are you green? I texted you but you ignored, there is a chance I missed it.

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“You think you are better than me, sister! How do you know what I am thinking? You de inside my heard She said you said I heard what you said, has destroyed sisterhood.

“Dem say dem say, if she didn’t/can’t say it to your face, rest let learn to tolerate each other the way we tolerate our men. That’s the only way we can grow together”

See Post Below;

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