Veteran Nollywood actress Ngozi Nwosu has expressed her concerns over the current state of Nollywood films, labeling them as predictable and lacking in quality.
In an interview with Pulse, she pointed out that many individuals who lack the necessary skills have taken up the role of producers, leading to the production of subpar movies.
Ngozi criticized the current trend in Nollywood where many movies are not relatable and are instead “wishy-washy.” She observed that producers today are more focused on financial gain rather than conducting thorough research to create quality films. According to her, gone are the days when Nollywood films were relatable and meaningful.
A lot of people who are not supposed to be producers are now producers. Wishy-washy stories every day. There are some stories you read, and you know immediately this is from foreign movies. They are not relatable. People have become lazy. They don’t want to research again because they are after the money.”
Ngozi Nwosu laments the decline in Nollywood quality. She reminisced about the past when Nollywood actors were more careful about how they presented themselves and emphasized the lack of standards in today’s industry, where people feel free to dress and behave as they please without regard for societal norms.
We no longer relate as we used to anymore. We used to go to our fellow actors’ houses and drink water, but you can’t do that anymore because you don’t know who to trust. All leaves are lying down, but you don’t know the one with a stomach ache. People in our time were more careful with how they represented themselves, but now everybody does whatever they want. Today, if you like, be naked, no one cares.”
Speaking on the changes between old Nollywood and new Nollywood, she acknowledged the tremendous improvements in technology and production quality. However, she lamented the decline in time management, rehearsal, and scriptwriting practices.
A lot. You see, we started with VHS. So when you talk of improvement, there’s been a lot. The movie industry has improved tremendously. But, the problem is that before we used to work with time, we used to rehearse and discuss. When a writer brings a script, we put it on the table for people to discuss. But today, it’s not like that.”
Ngozi Nwosu’s sentiments echo those of veteran actor Kanayo Kanayo, who had previously criticized Nollywood filmmakers for prioritizing quantity over quality, especially those who rely on platforms like YouTube for distribution. He argued that such practices undermine the foundation of the movie industry by promoting low-quality content.
Similarly, filmmaker Chinney Love highlighted the toxic environment within the YouTube space, which prompted her to take a break. She noted that actors and producers now operate like “one-person armies,” forgetting the collaborative and spiritual nature of the film industry.
Also Read:Kanayo O Kanayo Shares Wisdom: “Never Accept Offers That Come with Disrespect”
