Nollywood has had a lasting and rippling effect on the African movie industry. At first Nollywood was not taken seriously due to its technical pitfalls, but through time it has become a viable film industry and bolstered the Nigerian economy. Nollywood has defied skeptics and critics alike and shown that Africans can tell compelling African stories and there is market for its films.
African efforts may not be as glossy as western offerings. Sound may drop off here and there, a way ward youth may wonder into the frame purposely to get his 15 minutes, but despite all their flaws the appetite from them keeps growing and growing.
Local film makes have watched and taken note. The Zambian independent film industry is buzzing with talent making quality LOW and NO budget productions. Producers and Actors do not make these movies and series for the fame or glitz but for raw passion and an intrinsic need to have their voices heard and stories told.
The last 15 years have seen the rise, and rise of African movies to the level where demand is more than supply. Africans can’t get enough of African soaps, movies and Telenovelas. Why? its about stories being told from our perspective. The appeal of African movies is simple; we see ourselves and our experiences in our stories. That stepchild being mistreated or that Uncle who is always drunk resonate with us in a way that a Hollywood movies about super humans saving the world never will.
The settings whether they be in a compound in Kitwe or a village in Fiera are all too familiar and bring a reality that western movies cannot compete with.
BwanjiTv is a Zambian owned streaming service that brings Zambians the best in Zambian movies, series and documentaries. They source and show only Zambian and African content to support Zambian and African film makers uploading new and exciting shows every month. Visit www.bwanjitv.com
