This Is Nollywood

This Is Nollywood transports viewers into the heart of Nigeria's bustling and vibrant film industry. The documentary takes an in-depth look at Nollywood, the fascinating, thriving movie-making industry that stands as the third largest in the world, right after Hollywood and Bollywood. The limelight of the documentary is focused on Bond Emeruwa and Robert Caputo, two Nollywood stalwarts, producing their latest film, Check Point.

Bond Emeruwa, a seasoned and influential Nollywood director, is the nucleus of this engaging story. The documentary follows his journey and experiences in the creation of a feature film, providing viewers with a unique opportunity to witness the intriguing and often tumultuous process. The story highlights the versatility, dedication, and passion that Emeruwa embodies as he navigates his way through limited resources, power outages, and spontaneous on-set catastrophes while still maintaining a ceaseless commitment to his craft.

Co-starring Robert Caputo, an acclaimed photojournalist and documentarian, the film examines his perspective as an outsider who learns to navigate the uncharted terrains of Nollywood. His interactions, observations and reflections on the film industry provide an unforgettable view of a world where the thirst for storytelling is unrivalled.

Directed by Franco Sacchi, an Italian filmmaker, well-known for his feature-length and short documentaries, "This Is Nollywood" triumphantly manages to capture the struggles, victories and distinctive energy of an industry where making movies is much more than a mere job. It interweaves various elements like human resilience, the art, and craft of storytelling, and the Herculean effort of creating cinema despite the myriad challenges, culminating into a beautiful portrayal of Nollywood and its many vibrant attributes.

One of the unique characteristics of Nollywood that the film delves into is its production speed. Movies in Nollywood are produced in a record time of 7 to 10 days on a tight budget, highlighting the remarkable efficiency but also the constraints faced by filmmakers in this industry. This element is faithfully mirrored in the movie, laying bare the gritty behind-the-scenes life that the silver screen typically hides.

The documentary also provides an introspective look at Nollywood as a socio-cultural epicenter. The local movies mirror the fears, hopes, and dreams of Nigerian people. They deal with topics that Nigerians grapple with daily, such as corruption, superstition, colonial remnants, romance, and struggle for survival. In a compelling and captivating way, Sacchi showcases the profound impact these films have on the wider African continent, thereby providing valuable context and nuances for viewers unfamiliar with the Nigerian experience.

Moreover, the documentary shines a strong light on how Nollywood functions as an alternative source of opportunity and employment in the face of Nigeria's high poverty levels and uneven wealth distribution. From street hawkers selling DVD tapes to actors waiting in the wings, it illustrates how the industry provides a source of survival and hope for countless Nigerians.

While it would've been easy for 'This Is Nollywood' to become a tale of difficulties and hardships, the morale and spirit of Emeruwa, Caputo, and Nollywood itself persevere. The documentary celebrates their relentless optimism and relentless storytelling spirit that constantly breaks barriers to deliver the stories they believe deserve to be told.

In conclusion, "This Is Nollywood" is a must-watch for film enthusiasts, critics, cultural anthropologists, and everyday audiences who wish to discover a distinct and cherished facet of global cinema. It's more than just a behind-the-scenes chronicle; it dazzles viewers with stories of hope, challenges, perseverance, and the universal human language - storytelling.

Sincere yet enthralling, dramatic yet enlightening, 'This Is Nollywood' is an enlightening journey into an industry that operates against all odds to tell stories that resonate across borders. The heart and courage on display here is inspiring, making it easy to see why Nollywood's popularity is sky-rocketing worldwide.