"So my film Black November has been
critiqued by all the majors, New York Times, Hollywood Reporter, Variety, LA
Weekly and everyone else. Some say terrible things, others hail the effort.
So this is the situation, for the
first time a Nigerian film is being talked about by all the major critiques, is
that a good thing or a bad thing? For me it's a thing of pride that they would
even take the time to watch the film and comment on it, no matter how bad what
they say is because they only critique films that meet with a standard. When I
was reading the critiques of some other films that got released on the same day
with me, I couldn't help but wonder at the onslaught.
Second, for the first time, a
Nigerian film is in theaters in the US and in all the VOD platforms. I can
actually walk into a theatre in the US to watch my film and see my name on the
big screen, see the names of my costumier, make-up artist, local actors, all
Nigerians who may not have travelled out of Nigeria before now. I can go on
Direct TV or Time Warner Cable and see my film listed amongst all the other
films in the world. Is that a bad thing or a positive move for Nollywood.
Now third, since the film came out
less than a week ago, Mbong has been called in for castings by a major casting
director in Hollywood and one in the UK. In less than a week. I have received
an invitation to meet with some studio execs about my future projects. And
lastly, from the numbers coming so far, the film is doing GOOD! A success for
Black November is a success for Nollywood, for Africa, because we are the first
privately funded African film that has made it to main stream market in the US.
So I say, let's celebrate and raise the glasses rather than thinking we haven't
achieved anything, COS WE HAVE. I am Nollywood, I am Nigeria, I am Africa! Who
are you?
Jeta Amata
He wrote this on his face book page.
We are proud of you Jeta, keep the light shinning.
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