The cinematic landscape of Nollywood, Nigeria’s booming film industry, is the subject of an exclusive interview granted to Fatshimetrie by the talented filmmaker John Njamah. A renowned actor, producer and director in the film industry, John Njamah, who made his mark with his role as Rabiu in the popular Fuji TV series House of Commotion, delivers an in-depth analysis on the current state and future of cinema in Nollywood.
In this fascinating discussion, John Njamah expresses his vision of the film industry and sheds light on what motivates him. Beyond passion, he speaks of a constant need for growth, innovation and originality. For him, the film industry offers the opportunity to break free from prevailing trends and create authentic and unique works. It is this perpetual quest for creativity and originality that guides him in his filmmaking journey.
Speaking about the evolution of African stories on screen, John Njamah highlights the positive and negative changes observed over the years. While on the one hand, technical advances have enabled bigger and more impactful stories to be told, he laments the gradual loss of originality and cultural identity in favor of global trends. He warns against the risk of losing the very essence of African stories by following foreign models to the detriment of our own narrative richness.
The filmmaker also addresses the issue of casting roles, lamenting the tendency to privilege physical appearance and popularity on social networks to the detriment of talent and passion. He advocates an approach based on merit and professionalism, calling for the valorization of committed and competent actors in the realization of cinematographic projects.
Regarding working practices in the film industry, John Njamah highlights the lack of professionalism, respect and structure to supervise producers and actors. He calls for reform of the system, more checks and balances to ensure high standards of quality and professional ethics.
In conclusion, John Njamah emphasizes the uniqueness of Nollywood and advocates for the creation of local platforms to promote Nigerian works, thereby reducing dependency on foreign platforms. He calls on the film industry to strengthen its capacity for innovation, talent development and preservation of cultural identity to endure and thrive in an ever-changing global film landscape.