Nollywood and the Femme Fatale: The portrayal of women in Nigerian English-language films
Written by Aidan Prinsloo
When Nigerian film first appeared on the scene in 1992 with Keneth Nnuebe’s Living in Bondage, poor quality and obscurity threatened to overwhelm this tiny industry. Nigerian English-language film, or ‘Nollywood’ as it is commonly referred to, is now the world’s second most productive film industry (Bollywood is the most productive).(2) Thanks to the easily accessible medium, the English language, Nollywood films are being watched not only throughout Nigeria, but also across Africa. They even have a strong following in the Caribbean and among African-Americans.(3) Nollywood films cover a range of real life issues such as “premarital sex, money problems, victimisation of women, jealousy, college life, and independent women balancing their professions and family life,”(4) which are not unique to Nigeria. The subject matter is however explored from a uniquely African perspective. “For the first time and in the purest, rawest form, Africa is representing and interpreting Africa,” states Zina Saro-Wiwa.(5) This statement seems to ignore the pre-existence of African art, poetry and theatre which have played this role in the past, but certainly picks up on the fact that Nollywood makes African representations and interpretations of Africa more widely available for enjoyment and analysis. In addition, Nollywood’s representations of women are highly valuable windows for those who wish to gain more insights into African feminist discourses...[More] Consultancy Africa Intelligence