The book, Auteuring Nollywood: Critical Perspectives on The Figurine, which examines the highpoints of Kunle Afolayan’s award-winning film, The Figurine, got a tumultuous unveiling at the Agip Recital Hall of the MUSON Centre, Lagos, on Thursday, July 31.
Stakeholders in the Nigerian entertainment industry were on hand to welcome the 455-page book put together by Dr. Adeshina Afolayan, an academic and brother to the filmmaker.
Former Minister of National Planning and a respected patriarch of the arts, Rasheed Gbadamosi, chaired the ceremony.
In his opening remarks, Gbadamosi praised the dexterity of the people who put the work together as well as the filmmaker for shooting the film that brought it about. He also talked about his encounter with Kunle Afolayan.
“Until October 1, I had never come into Nollywood. The Nollywood that I first encountered had to do with Babalawo,” he said.
Gbadamosi explained that Kunle Afolayan does not only approach his projects with maturity, taste and capability; but that he is a filmmaker with tremendous talent.
He revealed that the book would be thrilling. While reminiscing on the decision he and others had taken to build the MUSON Centre, he said it would be good to have such edifices in at least six locations in Lagos. That way, he stated, people in the arts can have the facilities to practise their craft.
Dr. Ikechukwu Obiaya, the director of the Nollywood Studies Centre of the Pan-Atlantic University and reviewer of the book, said it was “nicely done”. He added that it is an indication that the study of Nollywood is becoming an established field worldwide, considering also that Jonathan Haynes, a notable Nollywood scholar, wrote foreword for the book.
Also at the event were: artist and traditionalist, Muraina Oyelami, who took the opening prayer; industrialist, Samuel Adedoyin; President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Femi Adesina; and Olufemi Ayeni, who represented the Director General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), Emeka Mba, among many others.
Earlier, Kunle Afolayan, who is one of the two ambassadors for the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) this year, was all thanks to the guests, particularly the special guests.
A collection of scholarly essays, Auteuring Nollywood is first of its kind that is devoted to the work of a single Nigerian film director. It examines the thematic focus and cinematic style employed in The Figurine, while also using that singular work to engage the trends in the new Nigerian cinema popularly referred to as Nollywood.
Contributors to the book include: Dr. Sola Osofisan, Dr. Dele Layiwola, Dr. Chukwuma Okoye, Jane Thorburn, Matthew H. Brown, Gideon Tanimonure, A.G.A. Bello, Foluke Ogunleye and Prof. Hyginus Ekwuazi.
An ‘Afterword’ on “Neo-Nollywood and its Other” by a scholar, Dr. Onookome Okome, is also provided in the book in addition to series of interviews with key actors and technicians that featured in the film.
