Eko o ni baje: filmmakers pose with the governor
The 2010 Association of Movie Producers (AMP) Eko International Film Festival started at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, on Monday, November 22 with the governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola, in attendance.
The governor's presence seemed a big issue to the filmmakers as they prepped themselves prior to his arrival. The emcee, actor and TV programme host, Bimbo Manuel, continuously warned the others to put their mobile phones on silent or in vibration mode and stop moving about, as Fashola would soon join them.
Veteran filmmaker, Eddie Ugbomah, was among those who didn't heed Manuel's plea. His Fela Anikulapo Kuti's ‘Trouble Sleep' ring tone startled even him as he stood beside the governor
Mr Governor, please intervene
AMP president, Paul Obazele, welcomed guests to the occasion. He disclosed cheekily that he fasted and prayed for two weeks to be able to see the governor and invite him. "He is my friend but because of the nature of his job and demands on him, it is sometimes difficult to reach him," he said. Obazele noted that the filmmakers have a cordial relationship with the Lagos State government but reminded Fashola of some promises he had made to them earlier.
The AMP president said they had fulfilled all the conditions demanded by the government, including having a united house and improving the quality of their productions. He appealed to the governor to help them combat piracy, create a fund for filmmakers to draw from and establish neighbourhood cinemas to show their works. "All of us have invested but have never reaped the fruit; it's a monster that is threatening movie producers," Obazele said while highlighting the effects of piracy. He also reminded Fashola of his promise to introduce Cinematography as a course at the Lagos State University.
For members only
The festival director, Zach Orji, perhaps spoke the minds of the artists when he expressed happiness at Fashola's presence. He commended the Lagos State government for always supporting filmmakers and disclosed that the wife of the governor, Abimbola, had participated in past editions. The popular actor noted that this year's edition of the festival was organised specifically for members, as it included film financing, writers and coproduction fora. He added that there would also be keynote speeches on "various sectors that touch the industry." Orji also acknowledged AMP's collaborators, including the National Theatre. "I hope that we would have moved a step further in the quest to grow the industry after the festival," Orji concluded.
Our own Broadway
Fashola, who spoke extemporaneously, began by saluting the doggedness of the artists. He noted that despite people's reluctance to associate with actors in times past because they were perceived as the wretched of the earth, they have made significant contributions to the country's economy. "I shudder to think what would have happened if those pioneers hadn't opened the economy that was there, that so many of us couldn't see," he said.
The governor also commended the artists for joining the fight to ensure that the National Theatre wasn't privatised. "We should learn to put proper value and take ownership of what is ours and be proud of it. People go to Broadway... this is our own Broadway."
Pirates are our brothers
Fashola made the artists happy when he assured them that the government will join them in the fight against piracy. "Piracy is a problem, it undermines the returns that you get and it undermines your effort. But I can start by saying you should never despair, you should never give up. The people who pirate your work are also our brothers and sisters. Let us understand that they do not dislike you. It's not that they have a personal quarrel with you but there is an economic opportunity there and that is the best way they have responded to it. It is for us as leaders to show that there is a better way, a way in which we can take them along.
"And as I said when I first met with you, they would become your distributors, marketers and agents and everybody will have a win-win situation. It will require advocacy, it will require even better communication from us, not only from you. How many movies have we made about the ills of piracy? Have we made many to educate people? It's one thing to go and shut down the place today but if people don't understand why they must change, we fight a very difficult battle.
"I will work with you, hopefully using science and innovation to help further protect the quality of your final output. I've made contact with some people that I think can assist us, who are consulting for the government, from Harvard University. They are very sensitive to the development of this economy and are willing to help. Where it takes us, I don't know, but I have never been afraid to try."
Look beyond government
He also advised the filmmakers to look beyond government for financial support. "Banks in this country, like in any other country, exist for one purpose: to lend money... If the business is strong, if the business is good, if the business is well presented, banks will support it. You and I have to wear our creative caps and put on our creative thinking ability to make this business more finance-friendly. Government alone can't do it."
Though he didn't rule out the possibility of government support, the governor urged patience on the part of the filmmakers. "The idea of a government supported fund, I take on board, but you will allow me not to make a commitment because I think somebody has been sharing information with you from inside my government. Until I finish what I'm doing in that area, I will not announce anything. But you will get support from our government."
Restorer of dignity
Fashola further noted that the moviemakers' contribution extended beyond Nigeria and just paying taxes. He lauded them for "helping to imbibe and sustain dignity in people who will never have had the chance. People who ordinarily would have gone cap in hand begging to live, they have the opportunity to do dignified work for a dignified pay and be proud of society."
He promised that their request for a section for Nollywood in his government's proposed film village in Badagry will be granted just as he assured that Lagos places premium on tourism.
Sadly, it appeared that the opening ceremony was all the filmmakers cared about, as they failed to provide a detailed programme of events for the week-long event that ended on Friday.
Source:234next.com
The governor's presence seemed a big issue to the filmmakers as they prepped themselves prior to his arrival. The emcee, actor and TV programme host, Bimbo Manuel, continuously warned the others to put their mobile phones on silent or in vibration mode and stop moving about, as Fashola would soon join them.
Veteran filmmaker, Eddie Ugbomah, was among those who didn't heed Manuel's plea. His Fela Anikulapo Kuti's ‘Trouble Sleep' ring tone startled even him as he stood beside the governor
Mr Governor, please intervene
AMP president, Paul Obazele, welcomed guests to the occasion. He disclosed cheekily that he fasted and prayed for two weeks to be able to see the governor and invite him. "He is my friend but because of the nature of his job and demands on him, it is sometimes difficult to reach him," he said. Obazele noted that the filmmakers have a cordial relationship with the Lagos State government but reminded Fashola of some promises he had made to them earlier.
The AMP president said they had fulfilled all the conditions demanded by the government, including having a united house and improving the quality of their productions. He appealed to the governor to help them combat piracy, create a fund for filmmakers to draw from and establish neighbourhood cinemas to show their works. "All of us have invested but have never reaped the fruit; it's a monster that is threatening movie producers," Obazele said while highlighting the effects of piracy. He also reminded Fashola of his promise to introduce Cinematography as a course at the Lagos State University.
For members only
The festival director, Zach Orji, perhaps spoke the minds of the artists when he expressed happiness at Fashola's presence. He commended the Lagos State government for always supporting filmmakers and disclosed that the wife of the governor, Abimbola, had participated in past editions. The popular actor noted that this year's edition of the festival was organised specifically for members, as it included film financing, writers and coproduction fora. He added that there would also be keynote speeches on "various sectors that touch the industry." Orji also acknowledged AMP's collaborators, including the National Theatre. "I hope that we would have moved a step further in the quest to grow the industry after the festival," Orji concluded.
Our own Broadway
Fashola, who spoke extemporaneously, began by saluting the doggedness of the artists. He noted that despite people's reluctance to associate with actors in times past because they were perceived as the wretched of the earth, they have made significant contributions to the country's economy. "I shudder to think what would have happened if those pioneers hadn't opened the economy that was there, that so many of us couldn't see," he said.
The governor also commended the artists for joining the fight to ensure that the National Theatre wasn't privatised. "We should learn to put proper value and take ownership of what is ours and be proud of it. People go to Broadway... this is our own Broadway."
Pirates are our brothers
Fashola made the artists happy when he assured them that the government will join them in the fight against piracy. "Piracy is a problem, it undermines the returns that you get and it undermines your effort. But I can start by saying you should never despair, you should never give up. The people who pirate your work are also our brothers and sisters. Let us understand that they do not dislike you. It's not that they have a personal quarrel with you but there is an economic opportunity there and that is the best way they have responded to it. It is for us as leaders to show that there is a better way, a way in which we can take them along.
"And as I said when I first met with you, they would become your distributors, marketers and agents and everybody will have a win-win situation. It will require advocacy, it will require even better communication from us, not only from you. How many movies have we made about the ills of piracy? Have we made many to educate people? It's one thing to go and shut down the place today but if people don't understand why they must change, we fight a very difficult battle.
"I will work with you, hopefully using science and innovation to help further protect the quality of your final output. I've made contact with some people that I think can assist us, who are consulting for the government, from Harvard University. They are very sensitive to the development of this economy and are willing to help. Where it takes us, I don't know, but I have never been afraid to try."
Look beyond government
He also advised the filmmakers to look beyond government for financial support. "Banks in this country, like in any other country, exist for one purpose: to lend money... If the business is strong, if the business is good, if the business is well presented, banks will support it. You and I have to wear our creative caps and put on our creative thinking ability to make this business more finance-friendly. Government alone can't do it."
Though he didn't rule out the possibility of government support, the governor urged patience on the part of the filmmakers. "The idea of a government supported fund, I take on board, but you will allow me not to make a commitment because I think somebody has been sharing information with you from inside my government. Until I finish what I'm doing in that area, I will not announce anything. But you will get support from our government."
Restorer of dignity
Fashola further noted that the moviemakers' contribution extended beyond Nigeria and just paying taxes. He lauded them for "helping to imbibe and sustain dignity in people who will never have had the chance. People who ordinarily would have gone cap in hand begging to live, they have the opportunity to do dignified work for a dignified pay and be proud of society."
He promised that their request for a section for Nollywood in his government's proposed film village in Badagry will be granted just as he assured that Lagos places premium on tourism.
Sadly, it appeared that the opening ceremony was all the filmmakers cared about, as they failed to provide a detailed programme of events for the week-long event that ended on Friday.
Source:234next.com
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