Saartje Geerts: Nollywood Abroad
It starts as a film about a third ”…wood” after Holly- and Bollywood: Nollywood from Nigeria. But it takes place in Antwerp, where a young man, John, wants to be a superstar in this kind of right-to-the-heart, often moralistic, home-movie like films. He is introduced and is arrested for maybe having perfomed in human trafficking and prostitution matters. He ”disappears” from the film, and the filmmakers go to Nigeria to tell something about why and how Nigerians go to Europe. Fine.
It is actually quite an interesting story for a documentary that has now been turned into a film. I met the producer Mark Daems some years ago at an EDN workshop, where the project was pitched and the final result deserves respect for its relevance and honest approach. However, what happens after John is out of prison and begins filming this his own story, is not so interesting to watch, I would have loved much more clips from the Nollywood films in general to get the chance to further study this phenomenon. Or to get to know the Nigerian community in Europe better. The structure is a bit loose and unfocused.
Belgium, 47 mins.
More about the film and dvd sales: ww.adirector.eu
