Latest news with #Nollywood
BBC News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'To Kill A Monkey come at di right time for my life'
Ogbonge Nollywood actress Stella Damasus say acting for di ogbonge movie 'To Kill A Monkey' come at di right time for her life. Damasus tok wen she siddon wit BBC News Pidgin to tok about di latest Kemi Adetiba film wey dey totori pipo and wey she act inside as Nosa - one of di main characters. "Evri choice wey you make get consequence. No mata di reason wey you take make am. If you put hand for dirty, dirty go follow you." Damasus tok as she share di lesson wey di movie dey try pass across. She say di big lesson from di film na to show how human beings take be and na evribodi get flaw, get problem and na wetin di storyline dey try show be dat. On how some pipo receive di movie sotay dem dey try relate Nosa role to who Damasus be for real life, Damasus say: "Na beg I dey beg, na feem. Becos I don see pipo say Nosa make you no enta mainland o. Anoda one say if una see wia dem dey flog Nosa, make una call me I must join." Howeva, to her, wetin pipo dey tok get anoda meaning as she see am as opportunity to prove say di pipo like di acting for di movie, and di cast do ogbonge work. "I like di fact say dem no fit tell di difference becos dat mean say we do veri good work, wey be say dem believe say na me be dat, but make dem also remember say na story we dey tell. "All di emotions, all di cry, all di triggers evritin, I don face am bifor I enta set. Becos if I enta set, I no fit let dose tins affect me. I go dey react to di characters but wen I don do dat part finish, I need to now come transition." Also, di opportunity to act di role according to Damasus, bin come at di time wey she tok say she bin wan come back Naija from America to do more tins. 'Marriage dey end' - Stella Damasus Di movie dey also come at a time wey Stella Damasus dey news sake of her marriage wey end. Damasus say she don move on. "Di role come at di right time wey I wan dey come naija now dey work. Afta evritin end for corner, I don alreadi move on, I get work wey I dey do." Di actress say she no dey allow wetin pipo dey tok to affect her and she no dey listen to dem becos she dey focus on hersef. "I don dey di game to understand say, no mata wetin hapun, pipo go get dia own opinion. If you notice, I no dey ansa anybody, I no dey fight anybody. "I dey tell pipo say my life, I dey too interesting. I neva understand mysef finish for di tins wey I get to do. I no get di time to begin tok." According to Damasus, marriage dey end and no be today. "Pipo dey marry, marriage dey end. Nobodi follow me dey inside bedroom or parlour. I no get di energy to begin address tins,. My own na say if you wan tok beta, come my front." Wen BBC News Pidgin ask Stella Damasus if she go marry again, she say she no dey look for. "Dat one na God hand e dey o. As I dey so, I dey okay. I no dey actively look for, I don born pikin. I no want, but na God na im go decide.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Netflix fans gripped by crime thriller dubbed 'the best in a very long time' as it rockets up charts with 'phenomenal acting and raw emotion'
Netflix fans are already gushing about a new crime thriller dominating screens with its competitive storyline and the actors' 'raw emotion'. Currently holding the number one spot on the streaming platform is the limited series Untamed, starring Eric Bana. The murder mystery is gruesome and exciting, drawing watchers in with its captivating premise. But quickly climbing the charts is rival show To Kill A Monkey - a tense thriller hailed by watchers as gripping, impactful and technically excellent. Netflix has already released all eight episodes of the Nollywood drama, which has garnered global acclaim since its release earlier this month. The plot follows a young man who is coaxed into the 'alluring world of cybercrime, where every decision he makes draws him deeper into a moral minefield.' Our protagonist, Efe, is a struggling father who must make compromising decisions to keep afloat. His life quickly spirals into chaos when he finds himself involved in a cyber conspiracy, attempting to outrun 'the fallout of his choices'. The show by Nigerian filmmaker Kemi Adetiba stars Stella Damascus and William Benson, and has jumped sporadically in and out of the Netflix top ten most-watched shows in recent days. The story of betrayal, emotion and pivoting plot points has been lauded by fans. One reviewer wrote online: 'I think this is the best Nigerian series I have seen in a very long time. 'There are more than 1001 lessons to learn from this eight-episode packed series. At some point, you will wish the series will never end.' Another gushing watcher agreed, saying: 'This show is one of the best I have watched for a very long time. 'There were zero dull moments from the beginning to the end. The actors perfected the script and I wish we would have more of such TV series that are loaded with life lessons. 'Kemi Adetiba is a century filmmaker and television director. Not a dull moment with her production.' One called the show 'the best limited series Africa has ever produced,' while another praised the slickness of 'authentic, well written and well executed' production. Aside from the merits of the series itself, viewers pointed to the grabbing title and imagery, having been drawn in from the start. One said: 'The title of this series caught my eye. I decided to watch a little of the first episode to see how it was. I am completely hooked! 'From the first scene, the acting and story line is riveting! I binged all the episodes in two days. I highly recommend this show to anyone. 'It's very authentic, great characters - a look into a world and culture totally different from mine and so fascinating...a must watch!' And commenters noted how gripping the series was, prompting watchers to turn to the next episode. 'Surprisingly good!' said one, before adding: 'Keeps you on the edge of your seat.' The actress playing Idia in the show, Lilian Afegabi, opened up about how important the role had been to her. She wrote on social media: 'Playing Idia was more than just a role. It was a journey of becoming one with a character whose strength, vulnerability and spirit I poured my soul into. Adoring fans of the newly-released thriller sang its praises online, lauding the direction, acting and storyline 'I gave everything to bring her to life and seeing your kind words, messages and encouragement means the world to me and makes it all worth it.' This summer has seen Netflix produce a range of hard-hitting dramas that have been vying for the few top spots, as well as introducing new installments of already-loved shows. The streaming service has revealed the future of Wednesday beyond the upcoming series two. The American supernatural comedy series, which began in 2022, follows Jenna Ortega, 22, as the spooky Wednesday Addams. It is one in a series of takes over the years on The Addams Family, the eccentric fictional old-money clan, famously macabre and gothic in manner and look. The second series of the Emmy-winning programme, executive produced and often directed by horror icon Tim Burton, 66, is set for release in August. And now, it has been announced that not only will Wednesday definitely be back for a third series, a spin-off programme is currently under discussion, according to Hollywood Reporter. Fans were absolutely delighted to hear the fate of the beloved show has been secured, taking to social media to express their excitement.
Metro
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Netflix fans ‘completely hooked' on crime thriller storming into the top 10
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Netflix has dropped all eight episodes of a new Nollywood crime drama that is already climbing the top 10. If there's one thing the streaming service has mastered, it's the art of a tense thriller with chart-topping shows from across the globe reeling viewers in. In recent weeks, Eric Bana's murder mystery, Untamed, has blown viewers way easily landing the number one spot with its gory, action-packed and intriguing premise. Now, it has a run for its money for top spot with Netflix's latest revenge thriller, To Kill a Monkey, which follows a 'luckless young man [who] turns to cybercrime'. The show from Kemi Adetiba (currently at number eight) stars Stella Damasus and William Benson and tracks our protagonist, Efe, a struggling father whose life unravels when he is caught up in the depths of a cyber conspiracy and attempting outrun the 'fallout of his choices'. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. There's betrayal, shock twists and emotional moments galore in this new Nigerian thriller that has been praised by fans. 'I think [this is] the best Nigerian series I have seen in a very long time. There are more than 1001 lessons to learn from this 8 episode packed series. At some point, you will wish the series will never end,' Google reviewer Nzube Nnokwe wrote. 'The title of this series caught my eye. I decided to watch a little of the first episode to see how it was. I am completely hooked! From the first scene, the acting and story line is riveting! I binged all episodes in two,' Peggy Vosgien shared. 'Pretty captivating, great acting, great story line, a must watch!' Folashade Adewumi added. 'Amazing acting and the storyline is explosive. I was on the edge of my seat every episode,' Dakota Wright agreed. Over on X, user barack_oking said the series 'encapsulates every aspect of human life: love, family, betrayal, poverty, affluence and death.' Another praised lead actor Benson, saying 'you were touched by raw emotion each time he let loose on screen.' 'I'm sorry the acting in To Kill A Monkey is phenomenal. These are actors! This is what you get when you cast people who have acted on stage. This is good!' Big Fish Gee echoed. Nigerian TV dramas are a growing, and popular, genre on Netflix so there are plenty to sink your teeth into next. Baby Farm: This five-episode series set in Lagos follows a pregnant woman called Adanna who is saved from the streets by The Evans Foundation – run by Dr Oliver Evans and Sister Barb – but she soon realises this chartiable organisation is more sinister than it appears. Shanty Town: This gritty, six-episode thriller is 'set deep in the heart of the Lagos underworld' and 'offers an intense and raw perspective on life within a brutal crime ring'. Blood Sisters: This Netflix original follows best friends Kemi and Sarah who go on the run together. As the synopsis teases: 'A toxic relationship, a fiery family feud, a deadly scandal. To clear their names two best friends go on the run – and danger lies at every turn.' Lilian Afegabi, who plays Idia in the series, spoke about how much this role has meant to her on her Instagram. More Trending 'Playing Idia was more than just a role. It was a journey of becoming one with a character whose strength, vulnerability, and spirit I poured my soul into. 'I gave everything to bring her to life, and seeing your kind words, messages, and encouragement means the world to me and makes it all worth it,' she wrote. To Kill A Monkey is now streaming on Netflix. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. View More » MORE: Netflix quietly adds 8 episodes of 'outrageous' thriller – and fans are devouring it MORE: Netflix's Untamed lead star Eric Bana addresses the claim that he's 'underrated' MORE: 'Dark, twisted, great performances': Your favourite underrated shows on Netflix
Al-Ahram Weekly
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Abidjan dreams of becoming Africa's next cinema hub - Screens - Arts & Culture
In the lush forests north of Abidjan, technicians were busy filming on the set of "Le Testament" ("The Will"), a comedy co-production between Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Senegal. Under a large tree, village elders gathered to discuss the death of a wealthy local cocoa planter. In the film, his children return to their native village and bicker over his inheritance. Ivory Coast is hosting an increasing number of local, pan-African and international productions, and is striving to establish itself as a go-to film destination in Africa in the face of longtime dominance by Nigeria's thriving Nollywood. According to the Ivorian culture ministry, about 30 films and television series were shot in the country last year. This year, 39 other projects have been approved. Between takes of "Le Testament", production manager Shaidate Coulibaly, 31, said there was a growing number of enthusiastic technicians and filmmakers. "The sector's really developing locally," she told AFP. "The new generation wants to tell stories about their daily life, stories that represent them." "We have people who are able to oversee an entire production without needing to look elsewhere," added Adama Rouamba, the film's Burkinabe director, who has witnessed first-hand how the sector has professionalised. - 'Soft power' - Ivory Coast, the world's top cocoa grower and a regional economic powerhouse, is banking on its youth -- 75 percent of the population is under 35 -- to take its fledgling film sector to new heights. Coulibaly, however, said private investors were still "cautious" and even though she received public funding, she had to fight to secure financing. "The credibility of Ivorian cinema is building up bit by bit, but it's a struggle," she added. The commercial capital Abidjan has been the backdrop of Franco-Ivorian director Philippe Lacote's productions since he began his career in 2022. Lacote just finished filming "Clash" -- about rivalry between stars of the popular coupe-decale dance music -- in Abidjan and the Congolese capital Kinshasa, using a predominantly Ivorian team. "It wouldn't have been possible a few years ago," he said. Ivory Coast's Minister of Communication, Amadou Coulibaly, said the government was considering setting up specialised programmes in schools and wants to "train all players in the film sector locally". At a major international convention in Abidjan recently, he said he wanted to make Ivory Coast "the hub of audiovisual content on the continent". The stakes are both economic and cultural, particularly with representations of Africa long dominated by Western countries. Earlier this year, Franco-Ivorian director Jean-Pascal Zadi shot part of his movie "Le Grand Deplacement" here, while "Eldorado", a series by Franco-American film producer Alex Berger, was filmed in the lush tropical Banco forest near Abidjan. "It's important for me to contribute to the development of Africa's cultural industry. We need to produce our own stories, quality content," said Zadi, calling local cinema a form of "soft power". His next film, an action movie, will also be shot in Ivory Coast. - Vision needed - At the National Cinema Office, Adama Konkobo described 2024 as an "exceptional year" and estimated about 20 Ivorian films were screened. In stark contrast, Nollywood -- Nigeria's massive and hugely popular film industry -- released about 2,500. In 2024, Ivorian films made up for about 10 percent of screenings in the country and six percent of the box office. Meanwhile, films produced or co-produced in the United States accounted for 80 percent of the market share, according to the National Cinema Office. "What's missing in the development of local cinema is a clear vision from the authorities," said Lacote, lamenting that the government is focusing on attracting foreign films without adequately financing Ivorian ones. "It creates jobs," he said. "But it doesn't develop national cinema." Coulibaly insisted the political will was there, and highlighted a forthcoming "subsidy mechanism" aimed at young Ivorian talent. Another obstacle to the development of a local film industry has been the country's lack of cinemas, with only 15 movie theatres, nearly all of them in Abidjan. A project to open a new cinema in Bouake in central Ivory Coast and the arrival last year of Pathe cinemas -- a chain owned by a French film production and distribution company -- in Abidjan could change the dynamic. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
India.com
13-07-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Wait, You Speak English? 9 Surprising Countries Where English Is The Official Language
New Delhi: During a visit to the White House, Donald Trump leaned in, eyebrows raised. Liberia's President Joseph Boakai had just finished a polished statement in crisp and confident English. Trump looked surprised. 'Where did you learn to speak so beautifully?' he asked. Boakai did not miss a beat. 'English is our official language,' he said. That one exchange, brief and unplanned, lit up a corner of the world many forget exists – the former colonies, the cultural crossroads, the places far from the United Kingdom or the United States where English is not only spoken but written into constitutions and used in courts, classrooms and cabinets. Here's a look at nine countries across Africa, Asia and the Pacific where English is the language of power, policy and everyday life. Liberia: First Language – English A country built by freed African-American slaves, Liberia was modeled after the United States in everything from government structure to language. Today, English remains the primary language in education, politics and media, making the White House moment unsurprising for most Liberians, if not for Americans. Nigeria: First Language – English Home to over 500 native languages, Nigeria turned to English as the neutral glue. Left behind by the British, it quickly became the language of courts, universities and national politics. Nigerian English has its own flavour, often interwoven with Pidgin and local idioms. It is formal in the Senate and casual in Nollywood. Philippines: Languages – English and Filipino Once a Spanish colony and then an American one, the Philippines absorbed English so fully that you will hear it on TV, in schools and even love songs. The American influence never really left, except now it comes with a distinctly Filipino accent, often mixing with Tagalog in everyday conversation. Kenya: Languages – English and Swahili A British legacy that stuck. In Nairobi's high-rises and Mombasa's courthouses, English is the language of contracts, classrooms and CNN interviews. While Swahili holds the cultural heartbeat, English keeps the country plugged into global circuits. Singapore: Languages – English, Malay, Mandarin, Tamil This city-state may be multi-lingual, but English is what holds its diversity together. It is the language of education, government and business. On the street, it morphs into Singlish – a blend of English with Chinese, Malay and Indian slang, full of rhythm, attitude and local wit. Rwanda: Languages – English, Kinyarwanda, French, Swahili Post-genocide, Rwanda shifted its gaze eastward, ditching French and embracing English in 2008. The switch signalled new alliances and opened doors to regional trade and diplomacy. Now, children in Kigali learn English in school and officials use it at the African Union. South Africa: Languages – 11 Official Languages, Including English English may share space with Zulu, Xhosa and Afrikaans, but it is the go-to for business, news and international diplomacy. Walk into a courtroom, tune into a live rugby match or watch a presidential address, chances are, English will be at the center. Uganda: Languages – English and Swahili A colonial holdover turned national standard. Uganda speaks English in its schools and parliaments, on its street signs and in its contracts. While tribal languages flourish in homes, English still carries the stamp of officialdom. Fiji: Languages – English, Fijian, Hindi Set in the South Pacific, Fiji does not often make the list of English-speaking nations. But it should. After British rule ended, English stayed behind in classrooms, courtrooms and tourist brochures. Today, it bridges communities across ethnic lines, from native Fijians to Indo-Fijians. These countries did not choose English randomly. Most inherited it from colonisers. Some adopted it out of necessity. Others reshaped it into something uniquely their own. Either way, the language lives on – on islands, in savannahs and across cities far from London or New York.
