INSIDE NOLLYWOOD: Who is She?

INSIDE NOLLYWOOD: Who is She?

My first attraction to the unique beauty of Ikom were the ancient Ikom monoliths (Akwanshi) when they were kept in the National Museum in Lagos before the relocation to their state of origin, Cross River State in the south-south region of Nigeria.

The mysterious phallic-shaped volcanic stones were created between 200 and 1000 AD by the Bakor people carved with unique, intricate human-like features and undeciphered Nsibidi-like symbols discovered in the Ikom area of Cross River State.

My second attraction to the unique beauty of Ikom was when I met Nunnsi Ojong at the premiere of "Stigma" on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at the Old Film Unit, Nigerian Film Corporation, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The beautiful tall actress and model from Ikom sashayed to where I was standing with my female friend, light skinned Kimberly, very young beauty pageant queen and model. 

Nunnsi wanted me to comment on the HIV/AIDS movie directed by Diminas Dagogo and starring the famous Ghanaian black and beautiful actress, Jackie Appiah, Nollywood diva, Hilda Dokubo and popular actor, Emeka Ike.

We spoke briefly and exchanged contact details before Kimberly and I left for an important appointment at the Four Points by Sheraton in Lekki. 

Nunnsi and I communicated afterwards and I got her a small job for a red carpet event in Ikeja on the mainland of Lagos.

She flew in from Calabar and did the job perfectly.

I was impressed by her punctuality which I consider a top priority for professional appointments. So, I invited her to feature in my first documentary film, "Lagos in Motion" in 2016.

The film production is now in post production in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State where I have been staying and working on new creative projects that I would not have thought of if I didn't come to this land of beautiful and wonderful well endowed women.

One of the mothers here calls me In-law.

"The film is beautiful!"

"She is very beautiful and the other one with her."

The women viewing the clips of the footage on the laptop said with glints of excitement in their eyes.

Nunnsi and Celina Ideh, another fast rising Nollywood actress, model and International beauty pageant queen were at the Elegushi beach in Lekki during the first phase of the principal photography in the spring of 2016.

View the clip on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19pAzbynZN/

Or on my Screen Naija YouTube channel.

"She is from Ikom in Cross River State and the other one is from Akwa Ibom," I said.

They raised their eyebrows in surprise.

I nodded affirmatively.

"The picture quality is very good," said Matthew, the owner of the office and screener.

"The film market valuation of "Lagos in Motion" is more than US$1,200, 000. The sights and sounds of Lagos in 2016 are not the same today," I said.

"This documentary on people on streets of Lagos is a time capsule of the largest megacity in Africa."

"These are the most beautiful pictures of Nunnsi in any Nigerian film and TV production. I have shown her unique beauty with close up shots of such clarity of her aesthetics not seen in the  different roles she has played in Nollywood."

Any filmmaker anywhere in the world who sees her in "Lagos in Motion" will want to have her in a unique role in film and TV productions.

I direct as an artist and a poet using the camera to capture the essence of the appearance of the face in unique facial expressions and body postures. 

You will see it in the aesthetics of the unique Ikom beauty of Nunnsi Ojong in "Lagos in Motion" documentary film.

- By EKENYERENGOZI Michael Chima,

The Founder and Publisher/Editor,

NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series,

The first book series on Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry.

Screen Outdoor Open Air Cinema (SOOAC)

https://www.amazon.com/author/ekenyerengozimichaelchima

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelchimaeyerengozi

New Nigeria

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The NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series: The First Book Series on Nollywood and the Nigerian Film Industry

 

The NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series refers to books and potential media by Michael Chima Ekenyerengozi, chronicling Nigerian cinema (Nollywood).

The Book Series:

Author: Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, a Nigerian writer and film festival director.

Content: A publication capturing the big picture of current Nollywood affairs, aiming to share Nollywood's story globally.

Formats: Available in print (paperback, hardcover) and digital formats. 

In essence, "The NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series" bridges literary analysis and popular Nollywood storytelling under one brand, reflecting the dynamism of the African film industry.

The Cultural and Political Impact of the NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series by Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima 

The NOLLYWOOD MIRROR ® Series by Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima contributes to Nollywood's overall cultural impact by documenting the industry's significant role in shaping African narratives and, to a lesser extent, touches upon potential political influence through its discussions of the industry's economic potential and societal reflections. 

Cultural Impact

Promoting Pan-African Culture: The series contributes to the broader Nollywood phenomenon, which has a massive reach across Africa, influencing norms and values, and promoting Nigerian, and by extension, African culture globally. Nollywood films offer a homegrown perspective on African realities, challenging Western media stereotypes and fostering a sense of shared identity.

Cultural Documentation: The series itself serves as a documentation of "current affairs and highlights in the Nigerian film industry". It provides a comprehensive look for a global audience, helping to preserve and disseminate information about the industry's growth, challenges, and evolution.

Encouraging Honest Conversations:

 By showcasing the complexities of Nigerian life, including issues like corruption, the series (like Nollywood films generally) opens avenues for honest discussions about societal challenges while also highlighting rich history and accomplishments. 

Political Impact

Economic Advocacy: Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima has used his platform within the series and other publications to highlight Nollywood's significant economic potential. For instance, he stated the industry could turn Nigerian tourism into a "billion dollar industry". This advocacy can influence policymakers to provide better infrastructure, regulatory support, and investment for the creative sector.

Soft Power: 

The massive popularity of Nollywood films across the continent, which the series documents, demonstrates Nigeria's significant "soft power." 

This cultural dominance can indirectly affect political relations and perceptions of Nigeria in other African nations.

Mirroring Societal Issues: Nollywood films, by serving as a "mirror that reflects the complexities of Nigerian life", often address political corruption and ethnic tensions. 

By documenting these trends, the NOLLYWOOD MIRROR ® Series implicitly highlights the role of film in political discourse, even if not directly political itself.

Available on

https://www.abebooks.com/book-search/title/nollywood-mirror-r/author/michael-chima-ekenyerengozi