Yul Edochie laments how Nollywood producers sell themselves short with movies
Nollywood actor Yul Edochie has expressed concerns about the tendency of Nollywood producers to undervalue themselves through certain storylines.
On his Instagram page, he urged producers to refrain from making films that depict Nigerians in embarrassing situations when they travel abroad.
He stressed that these portrayals degrade Nigerians, noting that a white filmmaker would never create a movie that demeans themselves in Africa.
Edochie highlighted that while Western filmmakers often portray themselves as heroes, Nollywood frequently produces films that undermine their people.
In his words: “I wish our producers will stop making films where Nigerians travel abroad dey mumu. We sell ourselves short with such storylines. Oyibo people will never make a movie where a white man is foolish on African soil. Instead, they’ll make the white man smarter than all the Africans in the movie. It’s intentional. They use movies to sell themselves as superheroes while we use ours to run ourselves down.
Let’s make movies where a Nigerian goes abroad and becomes the focal point for Oyibo people. He or she always walks with shoulders high, with so much pride and dignity. Always on Nigerian wears. And teaches Oyibo people beautiful things they never knew about us. Offers traditional solutions to problems and becomes a leader over there. Let’s sell ourselves as superheroes as well.”
